Planning a bouldering trip? Here are some tips for having a great day on the rocks. (This is an excerpt from my upcoming book, Girl on the Rocks.)

1. Warm-up but don’t get worn out
Don’t go too hard out of the starting gates and get worn out before you’ve even gotten started.

2. Snack throughout the day
Keep a steady flow of energy in your body without feeling weighed down

3. Drink enough water
Hydrate or die!

4. Allow adequate rest in between tries
You will perform best if you rest in between burns for slightly longer than you really want to.

5. Take care of your skin
Once your skin is too raw to climb, your day is over, even if you’re not done yet. Avoid warming up on sharp rock, try to avoid "milking" hold. (Grab a hold once and resist the urge to retake it again and again.) Vitamin E is supposed to be good for skin. Everyone has their own method for preserving tips -– find yours.

6. Bring enough clothes to stay warm while resting if it’s cold
It’s important to keep your muscles and tendons warm in between tries.

7. Climb in the shade if it’s hot
This will save your skin and keep you climbing longer.

8. Take enough rest days
Bouldering is anaerobic. You HAVE to have rest days to see improvements in power.

9. Stop if anything starts to feel tweaky
Listen to your body. You are your own best gauge.

10. HAVE FUN!