Climbing Gear

The Vision has seen granite pillars, blue glaciers, and sandstone offwidths while strapped to our head. The hard shell prevents ice crumbles and small choss from leaving dents and dings behind, while the revamped sides and back give us increased coverage as we chase the send.

Black Diamond's Raven is a classic ice ace based off Chouinard's original pick. Modern updates include a lighter feel, redesigned geometry, and a better handle whether you're ascending steep, icy couloirs or traversing glaciars. The investment-cast, curved, stainless steel head's shape improves handling for traverses, and it has a large hole for carabiners of any size.

The Alpine Express Dyneema Quickdraw gives us a longer sling in a pinch when we want to reduce rope drag and cam walking on our longer, wandering routes. The thin yet bomber sling and full-size wire 'biner are the lightest in their class, adding less than 3-ounces per draw to our rack.

DMM's Dragon 2 Cam is fiercer, stronger, and grippier than ever before. Its biggest update for the new model year is without a doubt the teeth, which are redesigned to net more friction on any rock. DMM studied the slipperiest rocks in order to determine the best grip, and the results are the Dragon 2's sharper teeth, increased surface area, and a raw Alu finish. The teeth's surface area tapers off right at the sweet spot, helping you better identify the best placement in any given crack. Other updates to the Dragon 2 Cam include improved torsional rigidity, better ergonomics, and of course, a lower weight. Better torsional rigidity means the stem is less flexible for more security while you're …

When it comes to blind placements, you should use the Metolius Super Cam because it gives almost twice the range of conventional cams so you have a better chance at getting it to fit properly. This giant range is due to the asymmetric design that places larger lobes on one side and smaller ones on the other. To make up for the difference in sizes, the designers at Metolius went through meticulous work to ensure that the trigger pulls each lobe precisely and equally through each range. Metolius made each piece with four wide lobes that increase grip on the rock as opposed to conventional four-lobed designs, and each lobe has a cam stop that helps it act passively like a stopper. CNC machined …

The Blue Ice Blackbird Ice Axe is a classic piolet that provides consistent reliability for beginning mountaineers. The pick, spike, and adze are all made out of chromoly steel to give the bite you need whether you're traversing a glacier or purchasing on a steep, snowy apron. The aircraft-grade aluminum shaft feels remarkably light, and Blue Ice added a dual texture for a better grip. There are protectors for the pick, adze, and spike so you don't punch a hole through your pack on the approach.

For efficient clips on bolted routes, we rack up with the Petzl Djinn Axess Quickdraw. With a larger frame, a bent gate, a generous gate opening, a deep rope basket, and a retainer, the rope-end biner makes clipping quick and easy as we go for the redpoint send, while the keylock noses make cleaning the route snag-free on the way back down.

Design and Details Stainless steel sheaves for excellent durability Sheave mounted on sealed ball bearings for excellent efficiency Accepts up to three carabiners to facilitate use

The LiteWire Quickdraw Quickpack consists of a six pack of Black Diamond's lightest draws designed for every style of climbing, from ice to rock, single pitch or multi. The LiteWire carabiners come in a lighter weight this season, and somehow has a larger rope-bearing surface for seasons of long-lasting durability. Black Diamond tweaked the noses's geometry to facilitate easier clipping and unclipping. The dogbone packs small and still packs a punch when it comes to strength.

DISPLAY WEIGHT: .75: 107.5 g (3.76 oz) #1: 123.9 g (4.37 oz) #2: 140.3 g (4.94 oz) #3: 181.1 g (6.38 oz) #4: 257.8 g (9.09 oz) #5: 348.1 g (12.27 oz) #6: 529.9 g (16.69 oz) RANGE: .75: 23.9-41.2 mm (0.94-1.62 in) #1: 30.2-52.1 mm (1.19-2.05 in) #2: 37.2-64.9 mm (1.46-2.55 in) #3: 50.7-87.9 mm (2.00-3.46 in) #4: 66.0-114.7 mm (2.60-4.51 in) #5: 85.4-148.5 mm (3.36-5.85 in) #6: 114.1-195.0 mm (4.50-7.68 in) STRENGTH: .75: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #1: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #2: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #3: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #4: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #5: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) #6: 14 kN (3,147 lbf) DESIGN & DETAILS: 10% lighter construction than original design Innovative trigger keeper on #s 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8 Double axle design …

The Workhorse Keylock Quickdraw takes on our most intense sport projects with us, giving us the burly strength and minimal weight we need when taking whips and trying to move quick and efficiently.

There's a reason that the Petzl Ascension Handled Ascender is the most popular ascender for big wall climbers. Its simple, functional, ergonomic design makes it the choice for any aid line out there. The thumb catch makes it easy to partially release the cam and ease your progress low on the pitch where rope weight isn't helping you yet. Wet, muddy, or icy ropes? Not a problem for this ascender's super-aggressive teeth. Petzl also added a top carabiner loop as an additional security measure for when you're cleaning the Great Roof.

Petzl's Grigri has become a standard in the climbing community over the past decade. Climbing gyms now test on them, and a lot of elite climbers rely on their belayers to use the Grigri for its dependable assisted braking and slack-feeding. Petzl simply nailed the balance between assisted braking and slack-feeding with this contemporary model of the Grigri Belay Device. For this newest model, Petzl expanded the rope diameter by optimizing the use specifically for ropes ranging from 8. 5 to 11mm. After doing all the research, there really isn't a larger rope diameter ideal for ropes as skinny nor as thick as the modern Grigri. Compared to the Grigri+, this specific model is ideal for experienced …

DISPLAY WEIGHT: 0.75: 89 g (3.14 oz) #1: 101 g (3.56 oz) #2: 126 g (4.44 oz) #3: 167 g (5.89 oz) #4: 225 g (7.94 oz) RANGE: 0.75: 23.9-41.2 mm (0.94-1.62 in) #1: 30.2-52.1 mm (1.19-2.05 in) #2: 37.2-64.9 mm (1.46-2.55 in) #3: 50.7-87.9 mm (2.00-3.46 in) #4: 66.0-114.7 mm (2.60-4.51in) STRENGTH: 0.75: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #1: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #2: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #3: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #4: 12 kN (2698 lbf) DESIGN & DETAILS: 25% lighter than the already lightweight Camalot Ideal for fast & light missions Dyneema cord in place of cable Double-axle design for the widest placement range possible Color coded for easy identification 14mm dyneema tape sling Ergonomically optimized stern & thumb loop

Design and Details Functionality for whatever phase you're in Perfect for sport, trad, and alpine objectives Lightweight, easy clipping Large rope bearing surface Low profile, lightweight slings Raised ridges on spine for easy clipping

Design and Details Molded grip provides even greater comfort with a more ergonomically shaped handle This shape keeps your hand from sliding to the bottom of the frame each time you pull on the Ascension The over molded bi-material rubber handle increases comfort and grip in wet or icy conditions Chrome-plated steel cam with angled teeth and self-cleaning slot securely grips the rope, even in muddy or icy conditions Ergonomic safety catch allows one-handed installation and removal One-piece construction eliminates weak points, while making the ascender lightweight and durable for years of use The two attachment points allow for different uses: Self-belaying, hauling systems Anodized frames are …

The Glacier Ice Axe from Petzl offers you security in the mountains, something that is often in short supply. The anodized aluminum shaft is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and extremely durable. A grooved lower handle, notched into the shaft itself, ensures that you have a solid place to grip if you are in a more technical section. The pick and adze are made of heat-treated steel for durability, and the bottom spike is made of stainless steel, letting it be easily plunged into icy ground. Holes for clipping carabiners on both the top and bottom let you easily rig this axe as an anchor in an emergency situation.

DISPLAY WEIGHT: 0.75: 89 g (3.14 oz) #1: 101 g (3.56 oz) #2: 126 g (4.44 oz) #3: 167 g (5.89 oz) #4: 225 g (7.94 oz) RANGE: 0.75: 23.9-41.2 mm (0.94-1.62 in) #1: 30.2-52.1 mm (1.19-2.05 in) #2: 37.2-64.9 mm (1.46-2.55 in) #3: 50.7-87.9 mm (2.00-3.46 in) #4: 66.0-114.7 mm (2.60-4.51in) STRENGTH: 0.75: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #1: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #2: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #3: 12 kN (2698 lbf) #4: 12 kN (2698 lbf) DESIGN & DETAILS: 25% lighter than the already lightweight Camalot Ideal for fast & light missions Dyneema cord in place of cable Double-axle design for the widest placement range possible Color coded for easy identification 14mm dyneema tape sling Ergonomically optimized stern & thumb loop

The Orbit carabiner is a solid workhorse for everyday climbing with great durability, smooth clipping action, lightweight engineering and the SphereLock closure which is an upgrade to the traditional keylock system with an even cleaner nose profile. 16 mm Nylon dogbones feature the Karstop Evo carabiner retainer on the rope end. Available in 11 and 18 cm lengths.

The Glacier Literide from Petzl provides excellent security and holding power in a lightweight, pack-friendly package, making it our go-to for ski mountaineering missions. The adze gives us support and step-cutting power on steep bootpacks, while the aggressive steel pick easily finds purchase on a self-arrest. Because of its small stature and featherweight aluminum shaft, this ice axe straps discretely to our pack when it's time to harvest our hard-earned powder.

From body jamming to jumaring, the Ocun Webee Bigwall Climbing Harness is built to send. Equipped with seven soft gear loops and two belay loops, this harness is low-profile enough to fit in tight spaces yet ready to organize a full rack and to jug back up to our last piece of pro. When hanging, the honeycombed foam evenly distributes pressure to prevent dead leg, and as we move, the open spaces let air flow through freely to keep us cool.

Whether we're setting 'draws or simply clipping in, the Mammut Workhorse Keylock Quickdraw smooths the process. The ridged gate on the bolt-end 'biner gives us greater control when clipping bolts, while the rope-end 'biner's retainer keeps it steady for quick clipping. Plus, with ergonomically shaped carabiners and dogbone, this 'draw feels good in hand.

Petzl's Grigri has become a standard in the climbing community over the past decade. Climbing gyms now test on them, and a lot of elite climbers rely on their belayers to use the Grigri for its dependable assisted braking and slack-feeding. Petzl simply nailed the balance between assisted braking and slack-feeding with this contemporary model of the Grigri Belay Device. For this newest model, Petzl expanded the rope diameter by optimizing the use specifically for ropes ranging from 8. 5 to 11mm. After doing all the research, there really isn't a larger rope diameter ideal for ropes as skinny nor as thick as the modern Grigri. Compared to the Grigri+, this specific model is ideal for experienced …

Comparing the Metolius Wood Grips Deluxe II to other hangboards would be like comparing a van your sixties-loving uncle has to those deluxe-modeled vans with solar panels and built-in air conditioning. It has a vast assortment of pockets, edges, slopers, and jugs that create various trainings, and its smooth wooden construction is not only more difficult to grip, but also super friendly on the skin so you can suffer—and get stronger—longer.