Mammut Togir Light Harness: A Compact Compromise
For its price tag, the Togir Light has a great set of features. But a few drawbacks are hard to ignore.
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Mountain Standards
Cassin Vector Nanotech Crampons: For Peaks, Not Crags
Nearly as light as aluminum crampons yet much more technical, the Nanotechs will sit lightly on the pack for the approach and still perform decently on a section of steep ice or mixed.
Arc’teryx Alpha SL Pullover: Four Seasons, Four Stars
In winter it’s charged through powder in the Absarokas and high Rockies; in spring it’s tackled mud season on hiking and biking trails across Wyoming; in summer it’s scraped up long alpine routes in the Tetons; and in fall it’s explored from the canyons of Red Rocks to the top of Castleton Tower.
Black Diamond Express Ice Screws: Drill Baby Drill
The Express is to ice climbing what the Camalot is to rock climbing: a well-designed workhorse that sets the industry standard.
Petzl Dragonfly 8.2 Double Ropes: Light and Bright
I look for equipment that will do everything. For me this means finding the driest and most durable half rope I can. So this autumn I picked up a pair of Petzl Dragonflys, curious to see how much winter climbing they could handle.
C.A.M.P. Radion Ice Screws: Filling the Frozen Niche
I tested the Radion for four months this winter on steep ice, meandering gullies and snow mountaineering slogs. In some regards, the Radion design is without equal. But in other respects–or the wrong conditions–the Radion is exasperating.
Clean Ascent Hammer Drill: Safety On Lead
The drill has served me well for a full active climbing season. It has completely replaced my entire rack. On most of my climbs I now rely completely on the drill for all of my placements. At first it was a bit awkward drilling on lead. The weight of the drill can be difficult to manage one handed and beginners might be advised to carry a single wide range cam to rest on while drilling. However much of the weight lies in the external battery pack that you clip to your harness and after some practice I have been able to drill single handily with my stronger arm while hanging on my left. Also knowing that you can always rely on your last bolt it is possible to go further between protection than traditionally without compromising safety.
Sierra Designs Convert 2: The Do-It-All Tent
I lived in the tent for about thirty days before Applebee’s granite slabs started wearing on the floor and the back corners’ poles punched right through the fabric. Those areas should be beefed up and handled with care. All in all, the tent saw a lot of abuse, but only the floor showed signs of damage.
Black Diamond Speed 30: Light and Comfy
The Speed 30 is an excellent choice for big outings that require all of your precious energy. The pack weighs 2 pounds, 3 ounces but is easy to knock down to a mere 20 ounces if you strip off its removable top pocket, hip belt, ultralight plastic framesheet and stay. It’s hydration compatible, and it adjusts to multiple torso lengths.
Boulder Based Designs The Mark: Save Your Stuff!
The Mark is so much better than all those initials I used to sketch onto my gear—they always took a detective’s eye to discover, and eventually they’d wear off. The Mark takes only one application, and it stays on, no matter the beating.