The humble sling is a simple piece of webbing that every climber has used since day one. It is made from Nylon, Dynatec, Dyneema, Spectra, Dynex, Polyester, Polyethylene, Aramid, Polyamide, or some combination of these materials. Originally tied in a loop using a water knot, it is now commonly sold pre-sewn into a loop with bartacking. Every climber owns at least one sling and for good reason. This amazingly versatile tool, with a bit of knowledge, can perform many different roles in your climbing systems.
Ice climbing is a gear intensive sport with two technical axes, double boots and crampons as part of the basic kit. Swings in temperature & moisture require a good layering system. Trips start before dawn and often venture into remote avalanche terrain. All these factors require more gear! The kit room of a dedicated ice climber is often years of investment and the focus tends to be on the latest axe technology or on weight saving inventions. However those attention grabbing items often mean climbers overlook key accessories that should make it into their pack. This post looks at key accessories that every ice climber should carry.
Lighter is always better, right? Perhaps not, and you’ll be surprised to know it’s not for reasons you may think. There are tons of amazing articles on “Light and Fast” alpinism, books written for new age alpine training, and gear comparisons showing the grams saved! Let's start by being honest here, only a few elite alpinists on select occasions are pushing the limits of fast and light. So why are manufacturers shaving grams off every conceivable product in a race to produce the lightest ropes, harnesses, helmets, carabiners and who benefits?
Being able to build a climbing anchor with traditional gear, both safely and efficiently, is a fundamental skill for climbing in Squamish. This post looks at five anchors that should be in your tool box. Each anchor has pros and cons and knowing when to pull out each tool will take experience. Please consider hiring a guide or getting a mentor to better enjoy the process of anchor problem solving.
Bouldering is described as rock climbing in its purest form. It is all about movement and problem solving. By definition, bouldering requires less equipment and focuses on difficulty, not the length of the climb. With ropes and harnesses left far behind, boulderers employ an array of tools to give them an advantage when tackling problems. This post looks at the essential items needed for your next trip into the Squamish boulders.
