Key takeaways
- Stemming bridges between two opposing surfaces by pushing outward with the feet (and hands).
- It uses counter-pressure — most often in corners (dihedrals) and chimneys.
- It lets you stand on your legs in opposition, taking weight off the arms.
- A good stem position can be a welcome rest on otherwise strenuous terrain.
What stemming is
Stemming — also called bridging — is a technique where you push outward against two opposing surfaces, using counter-pressure to hold yourself in place and move up. Instead of pulling on holds, you press your feet (and sometimes hands) apart, and the opposition between them keeps you stable.
Where it’s used
Stemming is most useful in inside corners (dihedrals) and chimneys, where two walls face each other, or between two widely spaced footholds. It shines on smooth or holdless corners, where the opposition itself supports you when there’s nothing positive to grab.
In a blank open-book corner, a climber presses one foot flat on each wall and pushes them apart — the opposing pressure holding them in place with no handholds — then walks their feet up the walls, pausing in a balanced stem to shake out their arms.
Why it can be a rest
A good stem lets you stand on your legs in opposition rather than hanging from your arms, so much of your weight is on your legs and you can relax and recover. Climbers actively seek stem rests on strenuous corner climbs. It’s one of several body-position techniques alongside flagging and the drop-knee.
The bottom line
Stemming is the art of bridging between two opposing surfaces — pressing your feet (and hands) apart in a corner or chimney so counter-pressure holds you in place. It lets you climb holdless corners and, crucially, stand on your legs to rest your arms. Master the stem and inside corners become not just climbable but a place to recover.
Frequently asked questions
What is stemming in climbing?
Stemming (or bridging) is a technique where you push outward against two opposing surfaces — usually the two walls of a corner or chimney, or two spread-apart holds — using counter-pressure to hold yourself in place and move up. Instead of pulling on holds, you press your feet (and sometimes hands) apart, and the opposition keeps you stable.
When do you use stemming?
Stemming is most useful in inside corners (dihedrals) and chimneys, where two walls face each other and you can press against both. It's also used wherever you can bridge between two widely spaced footholds. It shines on smooth or holdless corners where there's nothing positive to grab, since the opposition itself supports you.
Why is stemming restful?
Because it lets you stand on your legs in opposition rather than hanging from your arms. In a good stem — feet pressing each wall, body upright and balanced — much of your weight is on your legs, so you can relax your arms, shake out, and recover. Climbers often seek out stem rests on strenuous corner climbs.
Sources
- Climbing technique — American Alpine Club
- Movement skills — UIAA