Climbing - Mantel Shelf Technique

Mantel Shelf - This is were the climber is trying to get onto a ledge round about chest height. To do this they will put both their hands onto the ledge and pull their body weight upwards so that their body is moving up towards to top of the rock then about half way up their body he will start to push down on the ledge until they are able to put on of their legs onto the rock and pull the rest of there body up. This move is usually performed when good handholds above the ledge either do not exist or are not reachable.

To perform the layback and the mantel shelf you need to use both your hands and feet to climb but the lay back is better used when attempting to climb a corner or a crack in a rock face and the mantel shelf is better for climbing up onto ledges and over rock faces.

When i tried both of these techniques i found the layback difficult becuase it put alot of strain onto my body especially my arms and shoulders, i injured my shoulder while doing this. so this wouldnt be very good if i was planning a long climb. Were as the mantel shelf just felt natural becuase it is the same technique as getting out a swimming pool. When doing this climb you have to make sure you bring your foot up and place in on the top of the ledge rather then your knees.