the GearCaster

Click Up Belay Device

Italian company Climbing Technology has developed a new belay device called the Click Up. Lightweight and simple to use, the auto-locking belay device employs an HMS carabiner to do the hard work. Very little effort is required to give or take in slack and lock off if your climber should fall.

First Ascent Guide Gloves Review

I bought a pair of the First Ascent Guide Gloves during the Eddie Bauer pre-Christmas sale. I couldn't wait to try them out during my Chicks With Picks week of ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado at the end of January. I can safely say these have quickly become my favorite pair of gloves, hands down (ok cheesy pun I know). 

Prevent Exercise Induced Asthma With ColdAvenger

A recent article in the New York Times stated that winter athletes are more likely to get exercise induced asthma, a side effect of continually breathing dry, cold air. Montana company Talus hopes to help prevent cold weather outdoor athletes from damaging their lungs with their ColdAvenger line of products. 

Mountain Hardwear Core Climate Control System

For Fall 2010, Mountain Hardwear will focus on their Core Climate Control layering system. Using technical materials and intelligent design, Core Climate Control involves everything from outerwear to base layers that provide protection, ease of movement, warmth and breathability all in one package. 

Chicks With Picks Ice Climbing Week

After Outdoor Retailer, I drove straight to Ouray, Colorado for a week of ice climbing with the infamous Chicks With Picks. This was my third year in a row of climbing with Chicks and I now consider it a given that I will attend every year.