The woman’s La Sportiva Gamma is the ultimate trekking . Or wait, is it a boot? It’s both. It’s a hybrid between a light trail running and a full-on trekking boot. In a nut shell, the La Sportiva Gamma is a do-it-all traveling and trekking boot.
Climbing
The Black Diamond woman’s Distance Z-Poles trekking poles are for the ultra-light climber looking for trekking poles that fit with her philosophy – light and fast. These trekking poles are part of Black Diamond’s new story – a full new line up of woman’s specific gear.
The Outdoor Research Aria Down Vest is a warm hooded vest, insulated with quality 650 down fill. It is a solid layering piece to increase warmth around a woman’s core. A key aspect of climbing is temperature regulation – too warm on a climb and the climber will start to sweat through layers, too cold and the climber could begin to get cold extremities as the blood is pulled to the core.
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this question since Cragbaby entered on the scene…well let’s face it, I wouldn’t be rich, but I would definitely be able to buy more $4 frappucinos at Starbucks! The funny thing is, I never really feel like I have a good answer for this question. I feel like the “correct” answer is, “Yes, the responsibility of raising a little person has made me less risky of a climber.” But if I’m being honest, I have not changed with regards to my risk assessment. Before you start throwing stones, let me explain.
The stylish woman’s Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody is a versatile climbing jacket – keeping the wearer dry and warm in the mountains and looking good in the city. When on a serious climb, women need to be able to move well, regulate their body temperate and not destroy their jacket in the process of playing [...]
The Lowa woman’s Mountain Expert GTX are insulated mountaineering boots built on a woman’s specific last that will keep your feet warm on technical mountaineering climbs. Lowa built these boots with waterproof GORE-TEX and Primaloft insulation to keep the climber’s feet warm and dry on wet and cold climbs. For a leather boot, the Mountain [...]
Life on Lead is a monthly column by Amy Christensen – climber, certified life coach, writer. In this column she discusses the point where the challenges of life and the challenges of climbing meet. She takes readers on a journey, helping them learn how to use wisdom gained from climbing to enact powerful, positive changes [...]
The Sterling Evolution Velocity Athena rope is an excellent “do-it-all” lightweight 9.8mm rope with smooth handling, a durable outer casing, and a balance between stiffness and suppleness. This rope is a great rope to use no matter what the objective is – sport, trad or top-roping.
The Evolv Elektra VTR rock shoes are a great all around comfy gym or cragging shoe. These are the shoes you whip out when you want to give your feet a day of love while out rock climbing. With a smaller toe box, smaller heel and lower volume, the Elektra VTR’s are a good shoe for most women.
The La Sportiva BoulderX Approach shoes are designed for rocky and scrambly approaches to climbs. Light, fast, grippy and minimal fuss makes the BoulderX a great approach. And the best part? These are one comfy shoe!
The Black Diamond Onyx 65L all-mountain pack is designed for multiple days in the backcountry. This pack comes in 55L, 65L and 75L for all your multi-day or gear intensive backcountry needs. It is a women’s specific pack, part of BD’s women’s summer 2011 series. With a narrower back and shoulder construction, canted hipbelt and shorter frame, it is built for gal’s smaller and slimmer frames. And it’s biggest asset – comfort at whatever the weight. Cram that 75L pack full or rocks, you’ll barely feel the ton they weigh. And it’s all thanks to the ergoActiv hipbelt and shoulder straps that work together to move with you while you walk and climb.
The Black Diamond Chase 25L pack is a women’s specific pack that carries weight like the Black Diamond Innova and Onyx, but is the ideal size for day trips. The Chase is part of Black Diamond’s new Summer/Fall 2011 story – it’s all about women. They came out with new packs and trekking poles designed specifically for women. And the Chase 25L is part of that story.
Mountaineer Nicky Messner led an all female expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro in July, 2011. Her goal was to share her mountaineering passion with other women, and encourage them to do the things they’ve only ever dreamed of, whether they be climbing or something else. Following are her thoughts on leading her first all female team.
Tip, tricks and rules of the rope for climbing with young children.
Photo essay of rising Colombian rock climbing star Viviana Gomez Vega.
The Outdoor Retailer Summer 2011 event report discussing the latest and greatest gear from the Outdoor Industry which will be releasing Spring 2012.
The First Ascent Downlight Down Vest is a versatile layering piece that provides extra warmth for the core. It’s constructed from 800 down fill and 20-Denier ripstop nylon with StormRepel Durable water-repellent DWR finish. It’s light, warm and compacts down small. It does just what a vest should, provide warmth to the core.
The Black Diamond Women’s Trail Shock Trekking pole is similar to the Trail Shock Trekking pole, but designed specifically for women. It’s sturdy, durable, and relatively light weight. But, the real advantage for women is the redesign to make the grips, straps and pole lengths sized for women.
The Innate Tea Culture Thermos is a thermos that is great for tea drinking ice climbing gals. This is one of the few thermoses on the market that is designed for tea drinkers. There’s a metal basket that affixes to the lid which is perforated to hold loose leaf tea or a tea bag. The thermos is medium sized, light weight, insulated and leak proof; perfect for cold days on alpine routes or ice climbs. If you tend to get cold on climbs, having some hot liquids part way up or even before you begin climbing will help your core stay warm. It’s a trick many good ice climbers, male and female, use. This thermos is tough and can take getting battered in your bag and keep on keeping your liquids warm.
I tell my clients all the time that taking care of ourselves is the most important thing we can do—not only for ourselves, but for others. When we take care of ourselves, we have the strength to care for others. When we take care of ourselves, we give others permission to take care of themselves, which is liberating and refreshing for everyone. Rock climbing is a team effort. You and your partner depend on each other in intricate ways. You are literally each others life line. And if one doesn’t feel like climbing on a particular day, the other is out of luck. It’s hard to say “I don’t want to climb today” when you are painfully aware that your partner won’t get to climb either.
