Climbing Notes

Thin "accessory cords" are made from spectra or kevlar or dyneema and don't stretch. They are immensely strong, but not made to be climbed or rapelled on - they are so thin that rappel devices won't produce enough friction to slow you down and too thin to climb up with any gadget made today. Maybe a special "one'off" ascender set could be produced by a specialty shop, though.

Harnesses are very important for rapelling and protection climbs. They are made of nylon and cost $100-$150. Ad hoc ones can be made of lengths of rope or nylon webbing, but they are not nearly as comfortable - and they take some "know how."

Shoes! Very important $80 - $200. They've got special "sticky" rubber and fit very tightly. You can climb (dangerously) without all the other stuff, but shoes are essential.

carabiners - aka snaplinks or biners. a standard rack for protecting a climb has dozens. They come in locking varieties as well. $5 - $20(for lockers)

stoppers - wedges used for anchor points. They come in a variety of sizes and you need a variety to fit cracks you may encounter $80 for a set

Cams - "Spring Loaded Camming Devices" Expandable devices used to fit in cracks to use as anchor points. Come in a variety of sizes - from smaller than your pinky to 10" across. $50 - $100 apiece. $500 for a decent set.

Draws/slings - sewn loops of nylon or spectra webbing come in 6" and 24" lengths. Used to connect biners and anchor points and climbers. $5 each

Rappel/belay device - can be a simple aluminum "figure 8" or up to a "Gri-Gri" which is an autolocking device. gri gri is a trademarked name, btw. Useful only with full size ropes (7-12mm), but works with any kind of rope. They produce friction in amounts you control with your hand. Lots of friction means you (or the guy you are belaying/lowering) stop, less means go.

Ascenders. These clamp onto a rope and move in one direction only (up if you have them set up right). Use two and attach with slings to your harness and/or to your feet. Note that the rope already has to be up...

Grapnels, grapnel shooters, climbing spikes - these are not used to get up sport climbs... never seen a grapnel shooter except this gi joe i had once had one.

loggers use climbing spikes on their feet and loop a sling around the pole and climb up very quickly that way.

building climbers usually just wear climbing shoes and go for it using features on the wall.

here are some photos: The ist are some stoppers, the others are cams. To use the cams you grab the little end and pull down on the cross bars (triggers) . this contracts the cams which allows you to fit them in a crack. Then you let go, the cams expand to fill the crack and, hopefully, hold it very solidly.

Talk more later - Dave