Slightly, but not too much! Though, many climbers may say its just a matter of how comfortable you are with curled toes. If its not painful and it doesnt negatively impact performance, maybe its ok.
Honestly, getting the right size and just wearing them will really get the job done.
If your shoes are just not the right size though, then it maybe either not get better, or it may be a very long process. Not being the right size also includes shoes that are too big, so keep that in mind.
One thing I like to do is to bend then around and scrunch them up before putting them on. I do this for about a minute and it really helps soften then up and makes them much less painful.
There isnt a rule that says you need one, but, if you are going to use chalk then I would say yes, you do.
You could put your chalk in plastic containers like many new climbers do, but this is really not efficient, and its very easy for the chalk to spill and get knocked over.
Flexibility in my opinion is extremely underrated. I think being flexible can be one of the greatest tools in climbing.
I myself am not flexible at all, but my friends are, and the difference between how we climb is so noticeable. Moves that are so difficult for me are just easy to them.
You dont have to be flexible to climb, but, it would make a huge difference if you were.
This is a very general question. Is it for bouldering? Sport climbing?
There is too much missing information in the question to be able to actually answer it accurately, but, in any case, it would most likely depend on your experience, technique, strength, and how determined you are.
I think its just a matter of preference. I personally order very cheap chalk blocks online and just break them up in my chalk bag.
Not so much that it will spill out, and not so little that you have to scrape the sides for it.
I tend to have 1-2 broken down chalk blocks in my chalk bucket. But this also depends on the size of your chalk bag.
Try to find the next best thing that you do have. Do you have a spray wall? If not, do you have an overhanging wall that you can make up boulders on using the existing holds?
Otherwise, I would just make up boulders anywhere in the gym and try to make them system-board-like.
There isn't really a "supposed to" or not when it comes to socks. You either prefer them or you don't.
Some wear them due to hygiene, some due to shoe sizing, and for some it's just comfortable.
Undoubtedly though, the majority of climbers do not wear socks with climbing shoes.
It can be pretty difficult and hard an you, but it really depends on how good you are at listening to your body and giving it the amount of rest it needs.
If you can do this well enough, climbing won't be that hard on you, it will just be hard in general, as a sport.
