Showing posts with label Mountaineering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mountaineering. Show all posts

Friday, November 26, 2010

Mountaineering Gear For Climbing Pico De Orizaba

If you're a beginner mountain climber and you decide you want to climb Orizaba, it's not critical that you have mountain climbing skills. What's important is that you have some glacier trekking and survival training skills which you'll definitely need when you're on the mountain. The mountain is not necessarily tricky but the sudden changes in climate and terrain may prove to be a challenge.

In any mountain climbing expedition, you'll certainly need tools of the trade to be able to maneuver your way around the terrain and any obstacles you may encounter. When climbing Pico de Orizaba, climbers follow the "alpine style", which basically means that climbers carry their own gear. There are no porters to follow you around to help you carry your stuff. So, prior to your trip, you need to make sure that you bring only the stuff that you need. Here is a list of the essential gear and equipment for your climb.

Headgear - One of the most basic pieces of gear that you need to bring is your lightweight, sturdy helmet. Technically, it doesn't really help with the climb but it will protect you from falling rocks and ice which you may encounter depending on the route you're taking and on the weather you'll be experiencing. Your safety is always a concern and the helmet is your trustworthy assistant in protecting your fragile head.

Climbing Harness - Another essential piece of climbing gear is your climbing harness. You wear this tool around your waist and legs to give support and protection in combination with your climbing rope. Since there are many types of climbing harnesses for a variety of climbs, you need to choose a harness fit for alpine climbs. They are generally made of non-absorbent materials to withstand the rough climate associated with glacier and high altitude climbs. They are also adjustable and comfortable which is just perfect for long arduous climbs.

Ice Axe - As the name suggests, this axe is designed specifically mountaineers to use in snow and ice conditions. They usually aid climbers with the ascent (like a walking stick for uphill treks) and for descent (acts like an anchor to prevent you from sliding down a steep grade. You also need an ice axe that suits your height and strength. If you slip and fall, the ice axe is used to self-arrest.

Crampons - Crampons are the spikes that you attach to your boots to help you walk on snow and ice. With them you will have no fear of slipping across the terrain and you will even be able to climb frozen surfaces. You will need 12-point adjustable crampons designed for technical mountaineering. You may use either steel or aluminum (metal works best for icy conditions). It's important that you bring the right crampons to suit the kind of boots that you're wearing.

Trekking Poles - Trekking poles are basically walking sticks. Most are similar to ski poles, except that they are foldable and easy. You can use trekking poles help you walk, and give you the balance, while navigating through rough terrain.

Carbine - a key cog for the ascent of Pico de Orizaba is the rifle. You must have at least one block and a clasp not) connect to the system-climbing (with ropes and other equipment. Carabine are really handywhen securing your foothold on the mountain as well as helping with rescue systems.

Mountain climbing can be an extremely dangerous sport. It's highly recommended that you hire a professional guide whenever climbing any mountain with extreme weather conditions, such as Pico de Orizaba.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Mountaineering and Climbing Gear - Is it Safe to Buy Second Hand Equipment?

Climbing gear is expensive. There are no two ways about it. Most of it is very good value when you consider the amount of testing and quality control that goes into making it. Each piece of kit is designed and tested to forces which are far above what we would ever exert on it in a fall. You are paying for the knowledge that no matter what you do to it, your gear won't fail. That said, it is still a lot of money and if you spend your life climbing it is unlikely that many of you are parts.

One way to see the climber is often the purchase of second hand equipment. This is a bit 'a gray area and it is never clear. I hope this article might be a little 'clearer. Some gear is perfectly ok to switch between the climbers. Clothing, bouldering mats, bags of plaster, etc. are all in beautiful, because they cause serious accidents if the show some signs of wear. The terms that you should have seriousBe careful to buy from someone you do not know is, tapes, ropes and climbing hardware.

For cables I would say that it is never a time when it is ok for a second hand from someone who does not know now. There is no way to tell, just by looking at a rope, if he has got the strength to 10 or even 100 is great. Can usually tell if a cable is completely shot, as the nucleus can be broken and the body feels empty. A rope can still look and feel to the place and very closeto being dangerous. If you know the person that you are buying the rope from then it is slightly different. If you trust them and they can tell you the accurate history of a rope then there is nothing wrong with buying it from them.

Harnesses are very similar to ropes in that you shouldn't buy from anyone you don't know. Very small abrasions or lacerations in the webbing can make a harness very dangerous indeed. These lacerations can be very hard to spot but are very easily caused by crampons, gear etc. Climbing hardware is a huge category with many different types. Usually I would say that you can see how much use a karabiner or screw-gate has had by looking at it. If it looks ok then it is likely to be fine. These pieces of gear are manufactured to such high standards that they take a lot of abuse and have a very long life.

When you are buying kit it is very important to remember that you are going to trust this piece of gear with your life. If it fails then you could die. If you bear this in mind when looking at buying second hand gear then you will always be over cautious, this is the best way to be. Never buy a piece of gear if you are even a little unsure of its integrity. It really isn't worth saving that little bit of money of one day it could cost you your life, or someone else's.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

What is Mountaineering?

Mountain climbing is becoming popular with adventurous and extreme athletes, and this is because of what it entails. For those of you who do not know, climbing is a mix of rock, ice and mixed, often with heavy tools appropriate for themselves. Mountain climbing takes you to extreme positions, often covered with snow and low temperatures. It takes years of training, patience and dedication as a top climber.

L 'Mountain climbing has become so popular reason is that extreme sports enthusiasts wanted to reach the summit of the highest mountains, and a combination of these methods was the only way, therefore, mountaineering was born.

You have to look only at the most popular spots, climbers involved at the level of difficulty to see Mount Everest and K2. But climbing in the Alps developed much of the mountain there as the most popular climbers to be seen.

Inequipment, you need a lot of it, hence the heavy backpack!

Here is a list of items you will need:

1. Specially made boots and socks
2. trekking poles (more advanced version of the sticks)
Third ice pick
4. Clothing (base coat layer of insulation (thermal) and the outer layer (jacket)
5. One large backpack
6. Hydration pack
7. Crampons (ice or snow boots)
8. MOUNTAINEERING TENTS (in particulardone)
9. Mountaineering sleeping bags
10. Camping stove
11. Water purification.
12. Rope
13. Torch
14. Essentials Pack (sunscreen, Vaseline (for application to the lips and skin), sewing kit, whistle, pocket knife, first aid kit, toilet paper).

Because this is a high risk items, you must take is huge, and there are other things you can do that were not included in this list. Climbing can last from a few days to several weeksdepending on where you go. Bag full of action is the correct key for the survival of the mountain.