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Cannabis and Climbing: Friend or Foe?
Cannabis and climbing are, essentially, a dangerous combination. However, you can practise them responsibly if you know what to expect and what to avoid. Moreover, cannabis can be an excellent recovery aid. Let's take a closer look at using cannabis during and after climbing.
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Cannabis has found its way into various aspects of life, including sports and fitness. One such area where cannabis use is surprisingly prevalent is in the climbing community, which, akin to the surf community, actually has a long and extensive relationship with cannabis and cannabis culture.
Whether it’s bouldering, speed climbing, or free soloing, some climbers use cannabis for its potential recovery benefits, while others simply enjoy it as a way to relax. But is this trend beneficial or detrimental to the sport? This article looks at using cannabis alongside climbing and asks, is it a good idea to climb high?
Getting to Grips With Climbing
In case you haven't been exposed to this highly addictive sport, before we go any further, let's take a look at a few different types of climbing so we know what we're working with when we bring cannabis into the equation.
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Speed Climbing
Speed climbing, looked down on by much of the climbing community but made famous by its introduction into the Olympics, is a strange form of climbing that, as the name implies, involves climbing as fast as possible to the top of a wall. It's one of the easier types of climbing to turn into a competitive sport. Still, for most climbers, it's not their most enjoyable pastime. Speed climbing uses an auto belay, a device at the top of the wall that climbers clip into to lower them at a safe speed.
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Lead Climbing
If you've seen people climbing outdoors or on big walls in centers, then they're probably lead climbing (or its easier sibling, top roping). Lead climbing requires the person climbing to clip into the wall as they ascend. Meanwhile, the belayer (a person on the ground) manages the rope available to them so they can climb freely and avoid hitting the ground if they fall. This is the most dangerous form of climbing (but also the most popular) and requires skill and clear communication.
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Bouldering
Bouldering involves climbing short but challenging routes (called "problems") without ropes. Climbers rely on crash pads for protection, and as such, it can be done solo or with friends. Most bouldering walls don't go above three metres, but this type of climbing emphasizes power, technique, and problem-solving skills, often within as few moves as possible.
The social nature of bouldering and the frequent breaks between attempts lend themselves to cannabis use among enthusiasts. Bouldering is probably the most popular form of climbing because it's the most relaxed and requires less knowledge and equipment to be done safely.
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Free Soloing
Free soloing is climbing without ropes or safety equipment, relying solely on the climber's skill and mental fortitude—like bouldering but reaching heights where a fall would most certainly be fatal. This is the most dangerous form of climbing, but isn't practised by very many people. The potential effects of cannabis on judgement and motor skills make its use in free soloing particularly controversial.
Should You Smoke Before or After Climbing?
The question of whether to use cannabis before or after climbing is a common one. Some climbers may use cannabis during their climbing experience, while others prefer it for recovery purposes. Ultimately it comes down to the individual. However, if you're responsible for another's safety, we'd recommend: first, not using cannabis until afterwards and second, if you are going to climb high with another person, you must get their consent beforehand. Do not get high without telling everyone involved first—this is selfish and reckless behaviour.
Can You Boulder While High?
Bouldering while high is a hotly debated topic, but it's probably the one form of climbing where being high isn't too much of a problem. Nobody else relies on you, and the falls are generally much safer. Some climbers find that cannabis helps them focus, increases their creativity in solving problems, and reduces anxiety, potentially leading to improved performance and greater enjoyment.
However, others argue that cannabis impairs coordination and reaction time, which could increase the risk of injury. What's more, many find it makes them feel tired and lazy too (who knew?)! But in short, yes, you can boulder while you are high.
Best Ways to Use Cannabis While Climbing
Using cannabis while climbing isn't just about smoking a joint on the way to the crag—it's about smoking a joint at the crag, too!
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Edibles and Tinctures
Edibles and tinctures offer a smokeless option that can be more discreet, longer-lasting and also entirely bypass the airways, which can help to reduce some of the most physically damaging aspects of cannabis consumption.
Ingesting cannabis in this way does remove some of the spontaneity and sociality from the act, so it depends on what you're after. Plus, the effects of edibles can make some people feel pretty heavy and tired, which isn't perfect for climbing. So, if this is you, maybe steer clear. However, it can benefit recovery if you want a relaxing day post-climb.
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Vaping
Vaping is another smokeless option that has a quicker onset than edibles and is slightly easier on the lungs compared to smoking. If you still want the social aspect of smoking a joint, but don't fancy inhaling combusted materials, then vaping is a great option. What's more, with the right strain and custom vape temperatures, you can fine-tune your high to make it more conducive to climbing.
Strains to Try While Climbing
Choosing the right strain makes a significant difference. Below are some strains to use while climbing, each picked for their energising effects.
- Royal Jack Auto: These small, easy-to-grow plants contain Jack Herer genetics. Offering an energising and clear-headed high, they're perfect for use alongside physical activities.
Royal Jack Auto
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Jack Herer x Ruderalis |
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12 to 14 oz/m² |
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1 to 3 feet |
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7 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 16% |
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Sativa 40% Indica 30% Ruderalis 30% |
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2 to 4 oz/plant |
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2 to 3 feet |
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11 - 12 weeks after sprouting |
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Creative, Motivating |
- Shogun: This strain combines Amnesia Haze and GG4, two famously strong cannabis classics. Shogun itself causes uplifting and sociable highs, perfect for the crag.
Shogun
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Amnesia Haze x Gorilla Glue 4 |
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19 to 21 oz/m² |
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3 to 4 feet |
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9 - 11 weeks |
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THC: 25% |
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Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
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23 to 26 oz/plant |
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5 to 6 feet |
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Late October |
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Calming, Clear, Laughter, Uplifting |
- Green Crack Punch: This strain, despite the name, actually has more balanced effects than you might first think. While it is energising, it is also calming, making it perfect for physical activities that require clarity of mind.
Green Crack Punch
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Green Crack x Purple Punch |
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16 to 19 oz/m² |
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3 to 5 feet |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 18% |
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Sativa 60% Indica 40% |
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19 to 21 oz/plant |
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6 to 7 feet |
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Late September |
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Calming, Euphoric |
Best Ways to Use Cannabis After Climbing
Post-climb recovery is crucial for climbers who want to perform at their best consistently, and cannabis can help with this. For many, using cannabis after climbing will make more sense than getting high while on the wall.
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Topicals
Cannabis-infused creams and balms can be applied directly to sore muscles for localised relief without any psychoactive effects. For people who want to help their aching body but don't want to get high, topicals are a fantastic option.
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CBD Products
CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is thought to have various recovery-focused properties, all of which may assist post-climbing. It can be consumed in multiple forms, including oils, capsules, and edibles—or even smoked and vaped.
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Strains to Try After Climbing
For post-climbing recovery, consider the strains below:
- Fast Eddy Automatic CBD: This strain contains 9% THC and 9% CBD, making it perfectly balanced and very relaxing. While it will still get you high, the effects will be minimal—perfect for recovery.
Fast Eddy Automatic CBD
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Cheese x Juanita la Lagrimosa x Ruderalis |
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14 to 16 oz/m² |
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2 to 3 feet |
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7 - 8 weeks |
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THC: 9% |
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Sativa 50% Indica 40% Ruderalis 10% |
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3 to 4 oz/plant |
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3 to 4 feet |
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10 - 12 weeks after sprouting |
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Calming, Clear |
- Pain Killer XL: Another strain that balances CBD and THC, providing mild psychoactive effects while potentially helping with recovery. This strain, being photoperiod, offers large yields for those who want a hefty crop to match their busy climbing schedule.
Painkiller XL
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Respect 13 x Juanita la Lagrimosa |
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18 to 19 oz/m² |
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2 to 3 feet |
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8 - 9 weeks |
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THC: 9% |
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Sativa 75% Indica 25% |
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18 to 19 oz/plant |
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4 to 5 feet |
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Late September |
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Clear, Physically Relaxing |
- Royal CBDV Automatic: This strain contains equal amounts of CBD and CBDV, another non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It only contains trace amounts of THC, so it won't cause a high, but it can still help you wind down after a big climbing session.
Royal CBDV Automatic
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Solomatic x Durban Poison |
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13 to 16 oz/m² |
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2 to 3 feet |
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5 - 6 Weeks |
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THC: 0,3% |
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Sativa 75%, Indica 20%, Ruderalis 5% |
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4 to 5 oz/plant |
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3 feet |
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8 - 9 weeks after sprouting |
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Clear, Physically Relaxing |
Climbing and Cannabis: Not a Terrible Idea
Cannabis and climbing might seem like an unusual combination, but many climbers find value in using cannabis either to enhance their performance, aid in recovery or both. Whether you want the social aspect or you want it to wind down after a busy session, cannabis can be a great addition!
However, it's essential to approach this practice responsibly, as climbing is a dangerous sport. Understanding the effects of different strains, choosing the right method of consumption, and considering the timing can help minimise risks. But ultimately, you should probably just avoid getting high unless you're bouldering or resting. Whether you choose to use or not use cannabis alongside climbing, stay safe and don't be silly!
