Ice climbing gear for Christmas
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me…..
A new set of winter climbing gear! Yes its winter snow is falling all around you, merry Christmas every one! Wheres my axes, wheres my crampons, helmet, harness ropes are long and thin….. So here it is the ultimate list for Chrissy presents. Some ideas for whats required from my wish list from Christmas past! All scrouges watch out!
A pair of DMM Apex Axes. Light weight but excellent for ice fall climbing, mixed, alpine and not too heavy to haul up to the summit on the Ben. They have a handle not too thick to grip for small hands and a hand rest on the bottom, which can be taken off. I find that on steady routes in scotland having one axe which you can plung into the snow vertical is useful. Without a hand rest allows this. Try climbing over a cornice with a Petzl Nomic , ( bigger nightmare than a power failure half way through cooking the turkey) gripping, as you cannot easily plung the full shaft into the snow. Come in a cool green. Get a set of Freedom leashes at the same time( you know your worth it). The bungy cord leashes have proper weightbearing karabiners in tge end that dont come undone when loaded.
A pair of Petzl Dart crampons. Light and bright(orange). Excellent for steep ice and mixed routes in the alps. Easy to fit and light to carry in the sack. I prefer monos for steep ice but mixed in the alps the twin dart works best for me and is less strain on the calfs on a big North Face. The Front sections are interchangable so you can just buy the fronts to build your arsenal of gear. Orange for the full tango effect.
A DMM coulior harness. A wrap round style light but slightly padded harness. Excellent to alpine days and Scotland easy to put on if crampons already on your feet. Plenty of gear loops for your Scottish mixed rack. Every lady needs a black harness!
A foam style helmet. There are full plastic helmets about but I prefer the extra protection a foam/ plastic combo helmet gives me more protection on the side when being hit by falling ice. First try the helmet over your bobble hat to see if it fits. Helmets are a total no brainer for winter mountaineering and essentialfor ice climbing. They also keep your head warm. Light is always right. The Black Diamond range seem, to work well with my bobble hat best but dont last too long for a busy Guide. If your looking for value for money go full plastic buy a DMM ascent Helmet. White is right, it refelects the heat of the sun.
So if the little lady if your life is looking for a Christmas present to add a spot of excitment to your lives. Go get this lot and spicen up things! Plenty of mainly tools here for your bloke, it will give him hours of fun building , over the festivities, a new shadow board in the garage next to his (hardly used) finger board!
‘ Pull hard and live Dangerous’ Twid
Tune in tomorrow for Twids Advent calender suggestions.
