the GearCaster

First Shot Makes Abalakov Ice Anchors Easy

 

Ice climbing season is upon us and Black Diamond has released the First Shot, a new tool that will make setting Abalakov Thread ice anchors a snap. No more struggling to estimate 45 degree angles and trying to make your two ice screw holes interconnect. The First Shot is a unique, compact guide that provides the maximum depth and strength for threaded ice anchors. 

Pedal Brain Turns iPhone Into Cycling Computer

 

The standards race to turn smartphones into sports accessories has heated up and it appears that ANT+, used by SRAM, Garmin, Adidas and others might win. As we mentioned in an earlier post, Polar has OEMed their technology to Nokia and developed a Bluetooth based Heart Rate Monitor to connect to a Nokia smartphone. Now a new Minnesota company, Pedal Brain, is offering an ANT+ accessory and application that will turn your iPhone or iPod into a full blown cycling computer. 

Ed Viesturs Helps Outdoor Industry Reduce Carbon Footprint

 

Legendary mountaineer Ed Viesturs has joined the founding team of Source 44, a new sustainability management company based in San Diego. With Ed Viesturs as investor, co-founder and official spokesman, Source 44 is looking to help the outdoor industry, among others, measure and reduce their overall carbon footprint. 

On: New Running Shoe Outsole Technology

 

The debate continues on what type of footwear, if any, is good for your feet and body while running. Some experts agree that wearing conventional running shoes tends to weaken the small muscles in your feet to the point where the tendons, ligaments and natural arches stop doing their job. New Swiss running shoe company On is hoping their innovative outsole technology can in fact help strengthen the small muscles in the foot, resulting in a gentle, injury free running experience.

Monkee Clothing Sustainable Climbing Apparel

 

Winner of the ISPO Brand New Award in the Eco/Fair Trade category, Monkee Clothing has created a line of sustainable climbing apparel. The new brand stands for not only authenticity and passion in climbing but creating clothing with a low impact on the environment. The Monkee motto is "know what you wear and where it comes from".