Technical Climbing Gear

Since the hardest routes are only class 4, we will only be carrying limited gear. In general I have found that class 4 climbing looks harder than it is, but it takes a second trip to take advantage of your hindsight. Exposed class 4 can be deadly. It is too easy to use a rope for safety or for rappelling. Reading about the Bells, a rope might not help much, we will see.

Packing Comments

Trekking Poles

We don't walk anywhere without them. There benefits are enormous and downside are minimum.

Ice Axe

On snow climbs when poles just are not enough, a good ice axe will help safeguard our movements. The harder the snow the more the axe is needed.

Instep Crampons

Some “just in case” protection for those predawn snow field crossings.

Crampons

Strap-ons; they fit most of my shoes for more serious snow adventures. Crampons often times eliminates the need for an ice axe on the ascent.

Helmet

Used mainly to protect our heads from loose rocks. We will carry one on all class 4 on many other climbs.

Harness

We might carry a harness with us on harder class 4 climbs. We have though about just using webbing instead.

Rope

We have a few different lengths of old but still usable ropes we are planning on bringing. If we need to leave a piece it is okay.

Carabiners

A few each if we think we might need them.

Webbing

A few pieces to sling natural features, if they are solid enough to hold.

Protection

We will probably bring a set of stoppers and a couple of hexes. It there is a lot of climbing, maybe a few cams to help safeguard the belays or running belays.

Post-Trip Comments

We were comfortable moving on Class 3, 4, or easy 5 terrain. We often carried a long piece of webbing as a just in case piece of gear. Overall the climbing was easier than expected. We carried (or wished we had carried) an ice axe and crampons on almost every climb.

Trekking poles

They went with us everywhere. We used them on every climb.

Ice Axe

I carried mine religiously. Amy did not. It was a lot of security for an extra pound. Used several times to chop steps or safeguard moves across steep snow chutes.

Instep Crampons

Used on almost every climb in June, less in July.

Crampons

I don't think I ever used the real crampons, well maybe once.

Helmet

Used regularly on the loose Class 3 and 4 climbs.

Harness

Did not use.

Rope

Carried short ropes on a few climbs, but never used one.

Carabiners

Never used except for camping chores.

Webbing

Never used except for camping chores.

Protection

Never used.