I saw Will Gadd playing around with these tools in…
Tag: ice climbing
Over the past year, quite a few great new climbing related books were released. Many of you probably found one of these under the tree this Christmas. But for those of you who Santa forgot, and those who need a little adventure inspiration for 2014, take a look at the following five books.
Last week, during the cold snap that blanketed much of the country, NW Alpine founder…
Yesterday, Canadian climber and Outdoor Research athlete Gordon McArthur posted a link to Billy Goat Technologies on his Facebook page, asking fellow climbers what they thought about this new product. A type of snowshoe plate for your crampons that promises to ease the burden of approaches for ice climbing, skiing, or snowboarding? Color me intrigued.
New for this season, Outdoor Research follows up the popular men's Lodestar Jacket with a women's version. A staple in my ice climbing rotation last season and most likely again this winter, the Lodestar performs as a mid-layer and outer layer in one, cutting out unnecessary bulk and weight from your ice climbing wardrobe.
Today's guest post is from Michael Mote, instructor and guide with Apex Mountain School in Vail, CO. Apex Mountain School offers ice climbing and mixed climbing outings for climbers of all ability levels in this historic region. You can check out their website to learn more.
Ice climbing comes from humble beginnings. In the 16th century, shepherds crafted shoes with iron spikes to make travel on icy slopes feasible while tending flocks. Throughout the late 1800s, the “Golden Age” of climbing was characterized by the first ascents throughout the Alps, and was followed by the invention of the 10-point crampon by Oscar Eckenstean in 1908. Crampons were made available commercially by Henry Grivel, whose son, Lauret Grivel, later introduced the twelve-point crampon.