Mammut created a new genre of helmets when they introduced the original Wall Rider helmet a few years ago. This first hybrid helmet combined an EPP foam body with a polycarbonate cap in a construction that was quite innovative at the time but has quickly become quite familiar. Since the release of the original Wall Rider helmet a couple of years ago a number of … Continue reading Review: Mammut Wall Rider MIPS
Friends are great to have. They have evolved over the years, getting lighter, stronger and smarter… Black Diamond have recently updated the forever loved and well trusted Camalot C4. The main change is in the lobes, and the larger sizes got some clever features. This next generation was due, with new Wild County Friends and DMM Dragons circa 2017. This saw both having major upgrades … Continue reading First Look Review: Updated Black Diamond Camalot C4
Last year I wrote an article comparing different lightweight mountaineering axes. This year I’m comparing their slightly heavier brethren. And while a really lightweight axe is great if it’s going to mainly live on your pack, a slightly sturdier tool is ideal for more technical objectives. Routes where you plan on using one (or more) axes to climb some alpine ice, work through some deep … Continue reading Technical Mountaineering Axe Comparison
Arc’teryx added to their Alpha line of alpine & rock climbing packs with the Alpha AR. This new pack comes in 20L and 35L versions with a larger, 55L version in the works. This article will focus on the smaller of the two sizes, the 20L multi-pitch pack. We will be working on a review of the 35L pack this summer though so stay tuned. … Continue reading Review: Arc’teryx Alpha AR 20 Pack
Mammut’s new Glacier Cord is designed to be used as part of a lightweight rope kit to allow alpinists, mountaineers and skiers to deal with various challenges and emergencies. This includes rappelling cliff bands, roping up for glacier travel, undertaking crevasse and cliff rescues, etc. Of course lightweight kits like this have been available for some time, the most well-known being Petzl’s RAD kit. Mammut … Continue reading Review: Mammut 6mm Glacier Cord
Here at Black Sheep we don’t mess around when it comes to coffee! We are firm believers that a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning is an essential part of the day, no matter where you are. But…! To prepare said cup of coffee, the right equipment is essential. For this review we’ve tested out a wide assortment of coffee equipment to help … Continue reading Coffee Review 2.0
Skiing and Apre go hand in hand, so when I heard of the WhiSki Pole I needed to know more. They were originally launched a few years back with a sweet ski party video, the WhiSki Pole went viral. When Black Sheep reached out to Rob, the owner / operator of WhiSki Pole, he gave us the full story of this amazing sounding idea and … Continue reading Review: The WhiSki Pole
Not to be left behind in the light-weight ice screw game, Black Diamond has released their own version of a composite, aluminum-steel, screw that they’re calling the Ultralight Ice Screw. Constructed from the ground up these screws feature a new aluminum hanger and aluminum tube that’s attached to a hardened steel cutting surface. They’re now the lightest screws on the market and, even better, have … Continue reading Review: BD Ultralight Ice Screws
The last few years have delivered a whole new quiver of ice screws from various manufacturers. Ten years ago, Black Diamond took the market by storm with the introduction of the fully stainless steel Express ice screw. This new screw featured aggressive teeth and the infamous express knob. For the next ~8 years, it became the new standard (evident by the fact no one actually … Continue reading Review: Kailas Swift Aluminium Ice Screw
Most of us buy or acquire our climbing gear slowly over time. When you first get into the sport there’s a lot of expense associated with getting kitted out so gear is bought a little at a time. Once you’ve been climbing for a while, equipment is replaced as it gets worn out or newer, shinier and possibly better gear. Of course this leads to … Continue reading Building the Ideal Ice Climbing Kit:
