Tag: Alpine Climbing

DMM Pivot
Articles

Review: DMM Pivot Belay Device

The new DMM Pivot has stepped away from the standard design for multi-pitch belay devices (dual mode, tube style) and solved a long standing challenge: How to safely lower a second. Features: Weight:  72g Type:     Tube style, dual mode Rope Range:  8.7 to 11mm (single) Most standard multi-pitch belay devices look and perform about the same with only superficial differences to differentiate between brands.  Some work better … Continue reading Review: DMM Pivot Belay Device

Monte Johnston
Petzl Ride
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Ski & Snowboard

Petzl RIDE Axe Review

I’ve been really impressed with all the amazing new (or redesigned) products coming from Petzl lately and the new Ride axe is no exception.  While it was designed as a compact and lightweight ski mountaineering axe the Ride is also a very functional summer mountaineering tool.  It works great on mountaineering and alpine objectives where portability and weight are critical regardless of the season. Features: Length:  45cm Weight:  280g … Continue reading Petzl RIDE Axe Review

Monte Johnston
La Sportiva Trango Cube
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews

Review: La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX

La Sportiva’s Trango lineup has undergone a progressive renewal over the past few years and at the time of this post includes the Trango Cube GTX, Ice Cube GTX (light ice climbing boot), Trek (hiking boot) and the new Tower GTX (basically an updated Evo).  This lineup of boots is really focused on lightweight performance.  Now the Trango Cube GTX fits squarely in the middle between the winter focused Ice Cube and … Continue reading Review: La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX

Monte Johnston
Black Diamond Carbon Z Poles
Alpine & Mountaineering, Other, Reviews

Review: Black Diamond Carbon Z Trekking Poles

Black Diamond really set the bar for lightweight and packable trekking poles when they came out with the Ultra Distance Carbon Z.  Now while those original poles are no longer available the new Distance Carbon Z poles have improved upon the design of their predecessor resulting in a very functional, ergonomic and packable trekking pole.  Ideal for trips where the poles have to be stashed … Continue reading Review: Black Diamond Carbon Z Trekking Poles

Monte Johnston
Arc'teryx Acrux SL
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Review: Arc’teryx Acrux SL Approach Shoe

Easily the most surprising shoe I’ve reviewed, the Arc’teryx Acrux SL is an incredibly versatile technical approach shoe.  While light enough to live up to the SL (super light) name it’s still burly enough to be a great shoe for longer approaches and scrambles.  With sticky rubber, a great tread pattern and a comfortable fit it‘s become my go-to when I want a light shoe … Continue reading Review: Arc’teryx Acrux SL Approach Shoe

Monte Johnston
DMM Dragon
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Review: DMM Dragon Cams

It seems like all the various climbing hardware companies decided that this was the year to come out with new or updated cams: BD has the Camalot Ultralights, Metolius the Ultralight Mastercams (actually these came out in late 2015), WildCountry the new Friends, etc.  And while most of these companies have chosen to focus on making their cams lighter, DMM decided to buck this trend and focus … Continue reading Review: DMM Dragon Cams

Monte Johnston
Scarpa Vapor Lace
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Review: Scarpa Vapor Lace

I’ve been a long-time fan of Scarpa’s Vapor V shoes, both the original and the 2015 updated version, they fit my feet well and really seemed to have found that Goldilocks zone of comfort and performance.  The recently released lace-up version of the shoe, which is simply called the Vapor Lace (or just Vapor), takes the performance of the sport shoe into the realm of crack climbing, all … Continue reading Review: Scarpa Vapor Lace

Monte Johnston
Petzl Sum'tec
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews

Review: Petzl Sum’tec

There’s a wide range of alpine ice axes or piolets on the market and it can seem confusing or intimidating when trying to choose one.  However, when it comes to a versatile alpine climbing and mountaineering tool the Petzl Sum’tec has no rival.  If you’re in the market for a great tool for summer mountaineering and alpinism this is it! Features: Options*: 52cm Hammer 52cm … Continue reading Review: Petzl Sum’tec

Monte Johnston
Piton Hammer
Articles

Light Piton Hammer Review

The dark art of piton craft has faded into obscurity for the vast majority of climbers. Because of the propensity to damage and alter the rock when driving a piton, forward thinking climbers started a movement in the 1970’s away from such destructive forms of protection and towards “clean” alternatives.  This has evolved to the point where today it’s unthinkable to approach any popular crag … Continue reading Light Piton Hammer Review

Monte Johnston
Wallrider Helmet
Alpine & Mountaineering, Reviews, Rock & Ice

Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review

Mammut’s innovative new helmet, the Wall Rider, features an Expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam body with a smallpolycarbonate cap on the top.  This hybrid of exposed foam and hard-shell blends the features of two different helmet designs: the traditional lightweight in-mold helmet design and the super-light exposed foam design of the Sirocco (Petzl is upgrading the Sirocco with a similar composite design but I haven’t gotten my … Continue reading Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review

Monte Johnston