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#REDIRECT [[Glossary of climbing terms#smearing]]
{{wiktionarypar|smear}}

'''Smearing''' is a term used in [[rock climbing]].

It is the practice of using the sole of a shoe against a flat rock face. This is opposed to [[edging]], where one uses the sides of shoes on edges of rock, or hooking, that is, grabbing rock with the heel or toe (usually to stabilize body position). Smearing can be one of the most insecure and technical techniques used in climbing, requiring a combination of leg/ankle tension, foot placement, and good balance. It is frequently used on slabs, and in other situations with sparse and/or sloping footholds.

Smearing can be one of the techniques with which novice climbers are least confident - however, it is crucial to learn how to smear properly at an early stage, as it tends to help in the development of a more elegant and less tiring style of climbing whereby a greater amount of weight is placed on the feet, and less on the arms and hands.

Types of rock on which smearing can prove particularly useful include [[gritstone]], [[granite]] and [[sandstone]].

[[Category:Climbing techniques]]
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Latest revision as of 00:06, 2 January 2018