Also called mantel, mantelshelf, press-out, volume mantle · Hands and holds
A mantle turns a pull on a ledge into a push down on it. Then you stand up on it. It gets you over a lip (the edge where the wall ends) and onto a flat top [182]. For the whole finish of a problem, see Top-outs.
Grade Gyms with top-out walls can ask for an easy one from V0, and it starts to matter at V2 (judgement). The heel hook in step 2 comes at V3, so try it low on the wall first (this book’s suggestion). Hard mantles, with a poor high foot, a rounded top or a volume in the middle of a problem, are a V5–V6 skill: a coaching clinic at that level lists them [78].
How to do it
Chalk your palms first. A mantle needs palm contact [181].
Get a foot high: “Your feet lead your hips” [181]. Aim for a foothold high enough that your waist reaches your hands when you stand [183]. On a steep or rounded top, heel-hook the lip instead [181, 183].
Pull your shoulders up to the lip and stand on the high foot [183].
As your shoulders pass the lip, flip one hand flat onto the top. Point the fingers towards the other hand and the elbow up [183]. This gives the most push at the start [182].
Press down until that arm is straight. Flip the second hand and press with both [183].
Bring a foot onto the top. Lean forward over it and stand up [183].
Do steps 3–6 as one motion. Don’t stop at the tipping point [181, 183].
Figure 55 (1) Pull, with the right foot high. (2) Flip the right hand flat with the elbow up. Press. (3) Straighten both arms. Step onto the top without a knee.
Volume mantle
Indoors, most mid-problem mantles are onto volumes. You usually can’t get on top and rest there, so you press, rock over and keep moving.
Get a foot high on the side of the volume, or heel-hook its edge [181, 182].
Pull on the volume’s edge until you are balanced. Only then flip a hand onto the top [182].
Press the heel of your palm on the top, away from the way you are going [43].
Move your hips over the high foot and stand up on it, as in a rockover[183].
Keep pressing with the palm while the other hand goes to the next hold.
Figure 56 (a) Pull on the volume’s edge with the right foot high. (b) Press the top with the left palm, rock over and reach.
Common mistakes
Putting a knee on the top. A knee has little grip. It also turns your foot the wrong way [181].
Hesitating halfway. Commit, or climb down and try again [182].
Always mantling on your favourite side. Practise both hands, 2–3 grades below your limit [183].
Pulling on a sloping volume edge that you should press.
Tall climbers. You reach the lip and a high foot easily. Folding a long body over that foot is the hard part. Get weight onto the foot early, so your arms don’t press your whole weight [181].
