Advice
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Steve Fortune finishing a simul climbing block on the West Face of Cerro Torre
Steve Fortune finishing a simul climbing block on the West Face of Cerro Torre
This is a technique that when used right will speed up many alpine and multi pitch ascents. Why speed up your ascent? Personally I think speed is a key factor to moving safely in the mountains. If you climb slowly you are more likely to have unplanned bivvies, get stuck in storms or get caught out by rock fall or serac fall. Moving quickly over technical terrain is also good fun!
Starting with the basics: "simul climbing" is when two climbers move at the same time with a rope between them, placing and removing protection as they go.
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Kim Ladiges climbing thin ice on the Croz Spur
Kim Ladiges climbing thin ice on the Croz Spur
A couple of years ago, I sold my business in NZ and more or less became a full time climbing bum. This coincided with becoming a father, and the two combined led me to examine some of my climbing choices and the statistical risks associated with them. I was keen to make sure that I had good habits in place to avoid those once in a lifetime accidents that over a long climbing career might happen.
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Gemma Wilson being helicopter rescued from the Dolomites via a long line
Gemma Wilson being helicopter rescued from the Dolomites via a long line
During a recent trip to the Dolomites in Italy I found myself in a rescue situation with an injured climbing partner. We were climbing as a team of three, and one of the seconders pulled off a large block which fell down onto the third member of our team. I thought sharing a few tips on how to manage the situation and how to haul an injured climber could be useful for someone else who might find themselves in a similar situation.
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Les Drus North Face
Les Drus North Face
This is a straight forward article with all the facts you need for climbing the Lesueur route on the North Face of Les Drus. To follow this beta you will need two climbers who feel comfortable simul climbing up to M5. Otherwise pitch it out and adjust your time expectation.
Rack
Nuts 1 – 7
Cams Double set green C3 – 3. Single #4 camalot and purple c3
Draws x 10
120cm slings x 2
2 x 4m cordalette
3 x tibloc's
2 x knife blades , 3 x ice screws, knife , v thread tool. None of these needed on route, just for the descent.
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The ice hammock in use on an ascent of the North Face of Cholatse, Nepal
The ice hammock in use on an ascent of the North Face of Cholatse, Nepal
The ice hammock is a relatively new invention and although it's a great idea and works well, it's unlikely that any outdoor company is going to start making them commercially anytime soon, so we thought its worth writing an article for anyone who has an interest in making and using them for alpine climbing.
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Jonas leading on the North Buttress of Sabre
Jonas leading on the North Buttress of Sabre
Within our team, we want to standardise the calls we use, so you always know what to expect when you climb with someone from the NZAT. It is good to reduce the calls you use to a bare minimum and not say unnecessary things as these can add more confusion than clarity. A belayer/climber does not need a running commentary and you don't want a shouting match at the end of a pitch. It is also a good principle to acknowledge any calls heard, as often the caller does not know if they are heard. This is normally a simple 'OK' or 'Thank You'. This article describes the standard climbing calls and procedures used when climbing. Sticking to these and only these, will help reduce misunderstandings when climbing.
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Daniel Joll abseiling with coiled ropes to prevent the knotted ends from being stuck on a windy abseil
Daniel Joll abseiling with coiled ropes to prevent the knotted ends from being stuck on a windy abseil
We are propagating accidents, injuries and deaths. In almost all commercial industries, when multiple near misses or similar accidents occur, they are analysed and methods are instigated to eliminate the causal factors. Even rats in a maze learn not to make the same mistakes multiple times. But it seems the climbing community hasn’t yet learned. All too often I hear of people either dying, being seriously injured, or narrowly avoiding catastrophe due to the same preventable errors.
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Kim Ladiges climbing the Super Couloir Mt Blanc Du Tacul
Kim Ladiges climbing the Super Couloir Mt Blanc Du Tacul
There is no rope that does every job. Therefore when building your selection of climbing ropes here are a few points to consider.
As an alpine climber I keep quite 5 main ropes or pairs of ropes in my collection for regular use.
These ropes are made up of Tendon Master & Tendon Lowe ropes.
Jess in Squamish
Cragging is just one part of training for alpinism
Cragging is just one part of training for alpinism
All of us find ourselves city bound from time to time. Here are some tips and tricks for staying mountain fit even during prolonged periods out of the mountains.
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Steve Fortune short fixing, high up on the Nose of El Capitan
Steve Fortune short fixing, high up on the Nose of El Capitan
Please note that short-fixing is an advanced climbing technique and is not suitable for beginners or anyone new to trad climbing. In using this technique, it is necessary to have sufficient climbing experience to make a sound judgement call as to when it is appropriate to short-fix, and when it is not. This article seeks only to describe the concept of short-fixing and will not help you in making that judgement call. If you have any doubts, you should stick to regular belaying practises.