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View from the Top
You don't have to set your goals to once-in-a-life time aspirations like El Cap, the Eiger or Mt. Everest to enjoy the charm, challenge, and cathartic physical and emotional experience guaranteed by climbing. Pick a high point in your local landscape, or start at a nearby indoor climbing gym. Climbing is the mother of all exercises - there's nothing better for overall muscle tone, endurance, and mental clarity. A wise man once said, "It's all about the journey, not necessarily making it to the top." Find your own mountain to conquer, whether it is a new route in your local bouldering gym or that highpoint you gaze at from your window at work - always wondering what the views like from the top.
Julbo MonteRosa Sunglasses
You'll want to wear these everyday but save them for glacier and snow travel! Julbo's new women's-specific mountaineering sunglass with removable, protective side shields is, in one word, awesome. The Spectron 4 lenses cut harmful rays and glare, and are designed for glacier and high-altitude use. The glasses block 95 percent of visible light - I've noticed that my eyes get much less tired after long days on the snow when I wear them. Plus, they are incredibly slick looking, with reflective lenses that give you that alpine hero look, even when you're just hanging around the coffee shop, talking about your next expedition. $90; julbousa.com
Petzl Charlet Summit Ice AxThe Summit is designed for classical mountaineering on snow-packed, icy terrain. The lightweight ax has a thin pick (3.5mm) and wide middle (8mm) for both hard ice and soft snow. The curved shaft provides the necessary clearance if the going gets steep, while the straight lower shaft makes for easier penetration and stability for snowfield and glacier travel. The stainless steel spike is durable and provides an excellent grip on rock (as well as ice). The ax comes in three sizes - 52, 59 and 66 cm, with the largest weighing only 570 grams. The ax has the best balance of any lightweight tool I've used, and the shaft has a ribbed, rubber grip that helps absorb impact and cushion your hands. $159; petzl.com
Metolius Full-strength Mini Carabiner
These small (23 gram) carabiners are key-chained sized, but have full UIAA-rated strength to make them suitable for any type of climbing. Once you get over how small they are you'll realize that your climbing rack weight can be cut nearly in half (at least with quick draws). The hot-forged biners have a strength of 22kN/7kN/8kN - in layman's terms, that means you can trust them with your life. And now you can buy the carabiners in seven color options that coincide with corresponding Metolius color-coded cam slings and tubing, which makes for much more efficient rack organization. $7.50 each, or $43.50 for a 6-pack; metoliusclimbing.com
Sherpa Adventure Gear Kalpana Zip TopThis lightweight baselayer is great for insulation or as a stand-alone hiking shirt to guard against cool weather and sun. The polyester nylon long-sleeved shirt has a moisture-wicking soft interior with a more textured snag-free face. The pullover has a quarter-zip neck and small zip pocket on the sleeve. The company was started by Tashi Sherpa, who's uncle, Ang Gyalzen Sherpa, accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary on his 1953 first-ascent of Mt. Everest. Each Sherpa brand ambassador gets a royalty on sales, and up to 50 cents from each product sold goes to underprivileged Sherpa children. The fit of the top is excellent, and the collar is high enough to protect little necks from the sun. $32; sherpaadventuregear.com
Mammut Tusk 9.8 Climbing Rope
Here's one rope that does it all. Designed for sport climbing, alpinism and indoor climbing gyms, the Tusk 9.8 is versatile, dependable and surprisingly lightweight. The rope comes in 60m and 70m lengths. The rope has a SuperDRY finishing process that makes it more supple and easier to handle, even in wet conditions. The bi-pattern design is terrific so you can keep track of which end of the rope you're handling! The Tusk has a UIAA fall rating of 6-7 and weighs in at a featherweight 63 grams per meter. $230; mammut.ch
Mountain Hardwear Banshee LS Sleeping Bag
Hiking and climbing in alpine terrain is exhilarating but getting cold at night can ruin any trip. The 3 lb. 6 oz. Banshee LS is an 800-fill goose down bag that's rated to zero degrees. It offers the warmth, softness and lightness of a down bag but without the worry that the down will get wet. The shell has an AFX Super DWR (durable water repellent) treatment that is rated to keep the down dry five times longer than standard DWRs. The shell is also breathable so you don't wake up clammy. Construction is a patented welded baffle system that keeps down in place with no leakage. There's a six-chamber hood, double draft tubes (to keep cold air out) and ergonomically correct footbox that makes the bag feel roomy without extra weight. $500 (Long is $520); mountainhardwear.com
LaSportiva Nepal EVO
If you're climbing 8,000-meter peaks, you'll want something warmer, but for mountains in the lower 48, the Nepal Extreme GTX (the Nepal EVO Women's GTX is built on a women's boot last) is an excellent choice. The lining is a warm Gore-Tex/Duratherm that's waterproof, breathable, and toasty in most snow and ice conditions. The boot walks remarkably well due to a flexible hinge system in the ankle. Inside is a small integrated gaiter, and an insulated footbed that sits over a midsole with inserts under the heel and ball of the foot. The Nepals are light (women's, 1,800 grams per pair; men's, 2,200 grams). Soles are Vibram with a tread that can handle rigorous technical climbing but with enough cushion for long approaches. $475; lasportiva.com
Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit .9
When you're heading into the backcountry with your family, you'll want to bring a medical kit - just in case. The best one I've found is the new Ultralight/Watertight .9. It's designed for use by 1-4 people for up to 4 days. I generally pick through my medical kits and remove unnecessary items, but the AMK's new kit has all the essentials and none of the frills. It includes all you need to treat everything from blisters to headaches to sprained ankles, with an irrigation syringe for wound cleaning and closure strips for those hard-to-stop bleeding cuts. $35; adventuremedicalkits.com
NAU Merino3 Hoodie
A technical hoodie that doubles as a mid-layer for insulation or a stand-alone layer in warmer weather, the Merino3 hoodie will be a year-round favorite that is as versatile as it is fashionable. The hoodie is pricey but is made of super-soft merino wool fleece that breathes well, doesn't collect odor and fits like a glove. This stand-out piece is light enough as a warm-weather jacket but perfect as a cold-layer mid-layer. The best feature (other than the non-itch, odor-resistant wool fabric) is the offset zipper. There's no more chin rash, as the zipper rises on a diagonal slant to end just above your collar bone. The hoodie has two comfy, front hand-warmer pockets and a hood that easily fits under a helmet. $225; nau.comPost a comment
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