The rock climbing uk blog of Gareth Hanson (and brother David)
From the category archives:
I’ll only review climbing equipment that I have actually used. Most of it belongs to my brother David and I. In fact, most of it is carried by David in his pack, heh, heh. He’ll be grumbling when he reads this!
If you’re reading this, the rock climbing bug has almost certainly taken hold of you and you’re ready to commit to spending money on some climbing equipment.
Buying a climbing rack can be a pretty expensive business. However, thankfully, you can certainly spread the expense as you progress. [click to continue…]
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I have been climbing in my Red Chilli Impact Zone climbing shoes since early summer 2009. I bought them as a replacement for my trusty Boreal Jokers, which had developed a hole in the toes after a year to 18 months of hard use. [click to continue…]
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I have been using my Petzl Corax climbing harness since early last year. It has been a reliable and trustworthy piece of kit. I climb at least once per week, and the harness looks pretty much as good as new.
It has 4 gear loops to hold plenty of gear.
The buckles adjust on both sides and keep the harness tight, without working loose (even when carrying a lot of gear)
The one piece of advice I would give you if you’re thinking of buying one is to check the size. I bought a size 2, ad it’s always been just that little bit too big. I have a 32″ waist.
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The subject of climbing rope can be pretty bewildering, but knowing how to select and care for this essential piece of climbing equipment should be high on every climbers list.
Here’s my simple breakdown of the basic categories of rope, how and when to use them, and how to look after them. [click to continue…]
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Buy Passion Rope from eBay
The Mammut Passion 10mm x 60m climbing rope was one of the very first pieces of climbing equipment that David and I bought as part of our climbing rack. We bought ours as part of a set with 8 quick-draws.
We have been using this rope for about a year now, in which time it has seen quite a bit of action including lot’s of outdoor use where it has got sea water, sheep sh**t and lashings of dirt thrown at it. We have always been careful to wipe it down after each use, and it has always been coiled properly for storage. It’s had a few falls on it, none of them have been further than around 5 metres, though half of those had David’s 15 stone at the business end! [click to continue…]
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OK, this has nothing to do with climbing whatsoever, but it’s something I want to share with you.
My girlfriend, Emma bought me my Nixon watch 2 Christmases ago, and it has been a fantastic gift. It’s very stylish (without being too bling) and if you’re into snowboarding like me, you’ll love the brand. [click to continue…]
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I bought my Boreal Joker Climbing shoes when I first started climbing, early 2008. They have been used for a few hours every Friday night at Rock City, indoor climbing wall in Hull, though they have seen me through quite a few outdoor expeditions.
They’re pretty comfortable for me. I wear a size 8 (42), which is the same as my regular shoe size. I have a broad foot, but these fit me perfectly, my big toe touches the end without being squashed. They’re not the edgiest of climbing shoes, but they have served me well on the tiniest of foot holds.
I can definitely recommend these as a good starter rock shoe. If you want to buy some boreal joker climbing shoes, I have managed to find some at an ebay store for you. As with all my reviews, I would really like to hear how you get on with them.
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