Climbing Gear Kit
This is an area of interest for me but I am a complete novice and post this to start a conversation and pick your brains and learn from more experienced climbers. I started climbing while gold prospecting as a way to reach high banks of canyon walls. Later as crevasse rescue on glaciers. I’ve never had an interest in climbing tall mountain peaks or testing myself against the mountain. For some survivalists the wilderness is something to be rescued from or endured for a limited time but for me it is my refuge and civilization that needs to be escaped. From this perspective being able to over come obstacles using climbing gear will leave less prepared far behind. It makes more sense to me than arming myself to defend against marauding hoards. I use it to rappel steep banks down to water and back out. Sarge raised a legitimate concern on another thread about elderly and less able members of a group and climbing gear will aide their movement on grades that may not be challenging but very difficult for them. I use it to climb trees, haul equipment up steep grades and just this week end to climb on my roof to install a chimney. I hope you will see the value of this topic.
My ice climbing and snow gear is rather bulky and not included as it is rather bulky, and not always used together so I have this kit separate. Minus rope it all fits in this 6x6 MOLLE pouch.
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Far left in the picture below I have a wired stopper set that is wedged into cracks in the rock as an anchor. There is also a tool to on the carabineer that holds them together to pry them out. This is a basic beginners set and there are larger sizes and other designs that are more expensive. At my level of climbing I just use wedge rocks into larger cracks and anchor to them. Next are my carabineers. There are many designs and the 2 top ones are D locking carabineers. They are stronger because load is carried off center putting less strain on gate that is the weak point. It has been suggested to me that all carabineers that carry your weight should be locking to prevent accidental opening. Below that is a locking oval carabineer. This can be used for rappelling or belay using a Munter hitch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munter_hitch) and is needed for use with my Tibloc ascender. The 2 below that have a standard gate that just swings open I use for speed like after a fall has been arrested. Next is a figure 8. It is used for rappelling and a belay device. This is old school and there are better designs available but my choice because it works with wider range of rope sizes. The large loop for fast rappelling and the small end used for slower more controlled descents. Below that is my climbing harness. Most dedicated climbers use padding on their climbing harness but on glaciers I wear heavy clothing but even on the short climbs I do I often wish I had some padding. Next are my ascenders for climbing rope. I love the Tibloc that is used with a carabineer for its light weight and small size. If a person is on a budget a prussic knot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prusik) will accomplish the same task but not as easy to use. Below that I have a pulley to double my strength to lift gear or possibly an injured companion.
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I don’t always bring this kit but if I anticipate even a steep grade on a hike I will bring some rope, a couple carabineers and the Tibloc. These few items increase my capability tremendously.
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I know how important it is to be able to climb rough terrain. Here comes the controversial part. This is why I rate Bear Grylles as the best survivalist because of his mobility.
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