Book Review: Last Child in the Woods

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder By Richard Louv
Algonquin Books, 336 Pages
Hardcover $24.95

Everybody has a theory about what’s wrong with the kids these days. Some scream that they play too many video games. Others say that they eat too much fast food. Some say it’s the teachers, whereas others say it’s the parents. Some argue it’s cell phones and others argue it’s street gangs. But if all of these people have one thing in common, it’s that they believe there is something wrong with this generation of children.

Newspaper columnist and child advocate, Richard Louv, threw his hat into this never-ending argument with his book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. And ironically, Louv agrees with pretty much every theory postulated above. Indeed, he links the vast majority of the problems with youth in America today to living inside with a focus on technology in conjunction with a systemic lack of outdoor and nature related experiences. He calls the result of this modern lifestyle, “nature deficit disorder.”

Louv takes a close look at many of the chronic problems that children have today and relates them directly back to wilderness and nature oriented experiences. On the one hand there are the creative elements that evolve in children who spend time outdoors. They create games and fantasies, build forts and take on characters. On the other hand they develop a number of higher function cognitive and psychological skills by spending time in such an environment. They do this through self-imposed rules that evolve out of unstructured play.

Louv provides an apt example with a discussion about a treefort. Children learn a great deal from both the building of the fort, as well as the subsequent play in the fort. First, there’s the construction. That’s where they learn about architecture, mathematics and geometry. Then there’s the use of the finished product. Suddenly, it’s no longer a bunch of wood haphazardly nailed to a tree, but a spaceship or a castle. This unstructured play allows children to stretch their imaginations. Their fantasy worlds have rules (i.e. the tree is a monster and if you touch a certain branch it will eat you). The playacting that takes place in a tree fort allows children to work on their executive function. This cognitive skill is incredibly important to a child throughout his or her entire life. Strong executive function helps students concentrate in school; it helps them control themselves and it helps them understand abstract concepts.

Louv offers a number of dire warnings in his book. Children who don’t spend time outdoors will not value green space or fight for the environment in the future. Children who don’t go camping or spend time in national parks will not become stewards of parks and wilderness areas. Children who don’t spend time outside are far more likely to develop childhood obesity, ADD or ADHD among a number of other ailments.

In this video, Richard Louv discusses Nature Deficit Disorder and how it impacts our culture.

Ultimately, Last Child in the Woods is not all gloom and doom. Louv passionately argues that a return to the “way it was when we were kids” when parents just let their kids run around the neighborhood to climb trees and dig holes and ride bikes and play will at least partially heal a number of these social ills. He argues that it’s time for our culture to reacquaint our children with the outdoors. There is no doubt that those who read this book will be convinced. The only problem with his argument is that he is likely to be making it to the very people who already encourage their children to spend time outside.

--Jason D. Martin

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 12/28/17

Northwest:

--Q13 Fox is reporting that, "work to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades Ecosystem has been stopped by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s office, a national parks official told a Montana newspaper." To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--The North Face has released an animated film about Alex Honnold free-soloing El Cap. Check it out below:


Desert Southwest:

--The Hill is reporting that, "Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke brought the leader of a California park to his office last month to reprimand him for climate change-related tweets the park had sent via Twitter, two sources close to the situation said. Zinke did not take any formal disciplinary action against David Smith, superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park. And the tweets at issue weren’t deleted, because they didn’t violate National Park Service or Interior Department policies." To read more, click here.

--Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, was asked after the the change in size of Bears Ears and Escalante to testify before Congress. Yvon was not impressed by the late invite or by the use of tax dollars to attack his company. His epic response can be found, here.

--There's another way to save Bears Ears. It could be turned into a Wilderness Area.

--Red Rock Rendezvous will take place between March 16 and 19, 2018. This is a great chance to rub elbows with guides and athletes and to learn all kinds of new skills. For more information, click here.  Please also consider climbing with an AAI guide before or after the event!

--Palm Desert Patch is reporting that, "The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) has acquired a property bordering Joshua Tree National Park that could provide access to hiking and climbing opportunities inside the park. The "Desert Knoll" property is in an ideal location for future public access opportunities given its location between the city of Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park's North Entrance." To read more, click here.

Colorado:

--Out There Colorado is reporting that, "The family of a Texas woman who died after being thrown from a chair lift with her two children last year has filed a lawsuit against the Colorado ski resort where the incident occurred." To read more, click here.

--The Aspen Daily News is reporting that, "An Aspen man who says he was injured by a piece of equipment that was to be used in an Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club event two years ago is suing the nonprofit organization and the Aspen Skiing Co. David Bruce’s negligence lawsuit, filed Friday in Pitkin County District Court, says the incident occurred Dec. 27, 2015, on the Little Nell run." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--Outside is reporting that, "the outdoor industry is poised to get a big cash infusion from tax cuts, along with every other business in the country. Both the Senate and House tax bills recently passed by Congress aim to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent, effectively dumping billions of dollars into the laps of business. For outdoor companies, though, the money comes with a catch: Public lands were sacrificed in the deal-making to get those lower rates." To read more, click here.

--Kai Lightner has set his sights on Olympic Gold. Check it out, here.

--Both snow shortages and excesses due to climate change in ski resorts can increase the danger. To read more, click here.

--Gripped is reporting that, "all five World Cup ice climbing events in the 2018 calendar are scheduled to be livestreamed on the global digital platform, starting with the season opener in Saas Fee, Switzerland on Jan. 18 to 20 and closing with the finale in Kirov, Russia from March 2 to 4. 'Live coverage of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour on the Olympic Channel is an exciting and significant development,” explains the UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt.'" To read more, click here.

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 12/21/17

Northwest:

--It should be news to exactly no one who reads this blog, but being outside is good for you. Check out this segment from NBC News that was shot near our headquarters in Bellingham, Washington:



Desert Southwest:

--So this is absolutely nuts...! As you all know, Patagonia, the Access Fund and others are suing the federal government over Bears Ears. This action by the retailer did not go over well and the federal government responded, by putting up a banner on their official government feeds that said, "Patagonia is Lying to You." This is going to get ugly. To read more, click here.

--The Las Vegas Review Journal is reporting that, "A lawsuit seeking to block development on Blue Diamond Hill is scheduled to go to trial. Environmental nonprofit Save Red Rock is scheduled to make its case before a Clark County District Court jury starting Sept. 4, 2018. Save Red Rock is suing the county and Gypsum Resources, the company seeking to build as many as 5,025 homes atop a hill bordering the Red Rock National Conservation Area." To read more, click here.

--Utah Republican Representative Bob Bishop has invited the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, to testify before Congress about Bears Ears. To read more, click here.

--Red Rock Rendezvous will take place between March 16 and 19, 2018. This is a great chance to rub elbows with guides and athletes and to learn all kinds of new skills. For more information, click here.  Please also consider climbing with an AAI guide before or after the event!

Colorado:

--A climber was killed after suffering a 60-foot fall in Cañon City. There is limited information on this incident. To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "A snowboarder died three days after losing control and hitting a tree at Keystone Ski Resort on Saturday, December 2, the first death at a Summit County ski area so far this season." To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The Know Outdoors is reporting that, "The National Park Service on Tuesday said it will trim the number of free-access days to four in 2018 from 10 this year and 16 last year. 'We hope that these fee-free days offer visitors an extra incentive to enjoy their national parks in 2018,' National Park Service Deputy Director Michael T. Reynolds said in a news release. But the move comes as the park service weighs public input on a plan to more than double gate-fees at its most popular parks. To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "President Donald Trump’s downsizing of two massive national monuments in Utah sparked a furious backlash from American Indians, conservation groups and the outdoor industry, which moors its future in public lands. But over the past year, as Trump weighed the reduction of Utah’s 1.4 million-acre Bears Ears and 1.9 million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, the outdoor recreation industry has galvanized, using its growing clout to try to shift the president and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke away from what it called an attack on public lands." To read more, click here.

--Here's a happy report from the Access Fund: "Access Fund and Friends of the Ledges are pleased to announce that Band M Ledge in Madison, New Hampshire has been reopened to recreational climbing. Band M Ledge is a granite cliff offering 50 routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.13, with most routes falling on the upper end of the grade range. Due to its southerly aspect, the cliff offers climbers in the Mount Washington Valley with an option for late and early season climbing in a beautiful and quiet setting."

--Outside magazine is reporting that, survey released Thursday by the Department of Interior shows that more than a third of employees have been harassed or discriminated against in the past year. The news affirms what has, at this point, become painfully clear: the department has a culture of bad behavior that has gone unchecked for years. The survey was initiated after reports emerged from the Grand Canyon in 2016 that women working for the National Park Service had routinely been harassed and, in some cases, assaulted while working on the river. Those complaints quickly spread throughout the NPS, prompting resignations and calls for further investigation. In October, the DOI released a survey of full-time NPS employees that found that 40 percent had experienced some form of harassment or discrimination. Thursday’s survey included other departments—from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the U.S. Geological Survey—and included 28,203 respondents, representing 44 percent of all Interior employees. To read more, click here.

--Powder is reporting that, "About half of all Americans don’t believe global warming is caused by human activities, despite the overwhelming consensus by climate scientists who say this is true. Salt Lake City-based pro skier Julian Carr is taking action to change this by attempting to raise $5.5 million by December 22 to fund what will be the first ever Kickstarter-supported Super Bowl ad. An ambassador of Protect Our Winters, Carr hopes to bring important climate change data to the largest audience in the United States." To read more, click here. To see a promotion for the ad, click below:



--Five people were injured and dozens were left stranded when a Pennsylvania ski lift malfunctioned on Saturday. To read more, click here.

--Here's a piece on high altitude psychosis...

--Outside has an interesting piece this week on women climbers. 2017 was a banner year for them, but every accomplishment was accompanied by controversy. Is this sexism...? Or just the caustic nature of new climbing accomplishments...? You decide. Check out the article, here.

--And finally, speaking of Outside. It's possible, that an Outside reporter was banned from a press briefing because he wrote something negative about Ryan Zinke's fly fishing skill. To read more, click here.

The Bivy Kit

“Bivy” – (also "bivi") – short for bivouac, which is French for “Oh no, we must sleep outside tonight!”

There are different kinds of bivies out there in the climbing world. Sometimes we use the expression to mean crashing in your truck bed the night before a climb (i.e. “Let’s bivy at the trailhead and get an early start tomorrow”). But really, bivy’ing is about climbing. A winter bivouac may include a snow shelter or snow hole to insulate from cold and the wind. Bivy’s on rock climbs often entail some kind of rock pile or cave if you’re lucky, or sleeping in slings if you’re not. There are shiver bivies, the kind where it keeps you up all night huddling next to your partner for warmth (note that it’s not romantic if it’s a survival situation).  A few of the Leavenworth boys coined the term “shiverer bivering” when putting up Gorillas in the Midst a few years ago . There are also “moving bivouacs,” which means you just keep walking all night until the sun comes up ‘cause it’s too darn cold to stop. Planned or unplanned, bivouacs are a part of climbing’s heart and soul.

Often on long routes you run the risk of a bivouac. To bivy or not to bivy? If you bring the extra gear, the weight will guaranteed slow you down, making the night out inevitable. But if you forgo the gear, you might end up out and unprepared. As one climber told me, “Light and fast” quickly becomes “cold and f****d!”  Charlie Fowler even made a scale for bivouacs, based on how much you suffer.

I’ve included a few different versions of what to bring to make the overnight a little more comfortable. It’s a warm-weather edition. A different setup is needed for going into the mountains in March!

           

#1. The “I really hope we don’t bivy but if we do I won’t be totally miserable” kit:

• Emergency blanket
• Hand warmers
• Lighter
• A few papers for fire starters
• Iodine tablets (or other water purification tabs
• 2 caffeinated Gu packets
• Light puffy with hood
• Light hat

This kit is especially appropriate in the spring, summer, and fall trips where you’re doing a long, weight-conscious route and only want to bring the bare minimum survival gear. It is really good if you’re not going to encounter really cold temperatures. Long routes in Zion and Red Rocks, and summer routes in the Cascades and Sierras could be perfect for this kit. Besides the puffy and hat, this whole kit can fit into a sandwich-size Ziploc bag.

The emergency blanket can act as a wind or rain barrier if you really need it, though it doesn’t breathe, so it’ll drip like you’re in the jungle after a few hours. But hey it’s really light and warm for the weight. I often roll an upper body layer around my feet, wrap myself in the emergency blanket and stuff my feet into my pack (if it’s big enough). This will keep your feet warmer and will keep your whole business from unraveling as you toss and turn on that tiny ledge 500 feet off the deck. The two Gu packets are for the next day. You’ll probably need em.

A note about the hand warmers: Put the hand warmers everywhere the package says not to. On exposed skin – go for it! While sleeping – that’s the only way you can get to sleep! On sensitive areas? The more sensitive the warmer it’ll feel, right? Just remember, if it burns, stop. Seriously. (For legal reasons, we can’t actually recommend you do this. Always follow the instructions and manufacturer’s warnings. Seriously.)

#2. The “I really think we are going to bivy, but let’s go light, shall we” kit:

• Kit #1, plus:
• Sil-Tarp
• Bivi pad that comes with your backpack (Cilo Gear, Andinista)
• 1-lb. 32-degree down sleeping bag (Western Mountaineering)

This kit is great if you’re going to hike in and sleep at the base of the Ridge of Doom, and are going to come back down and sleep at the base of the climb afterward. This also works as a light bivi kit if you are going to bring one.

The Sil Tarp is great. They’re expensive, but a super lightweight barrier from the elements. Twice, now, my buddy Matt and I have hunkered under that thing, strung out with cordelettes and trekking poles. It worked great.

Many packs these days are made with a foam pad as the framesheet. It can be removed and used as a lightweight (read: uncomfortable) bivi pad. It’s not the Hilton, but it’ll work. Cilo Gear’s packs have em. (LINK)

#3: The “Mt. Baker Special”

• Light sleeping bag
• Jetboil (shared with your partners)
• The shell of a Hilleburg Unna (up to 3 climbers)
• Full-length Neo Air sleeping pad
• 1-lb. 32-degree down sleeping bag (Western Mountaineering)

I use this one all the time in the summer alpine routes in the Cascades, where we will want a bit more protection from the elements and will be camping in snow. The shell of Hilleburg tents can be removed and used independently from the rest of the tent. So you have just 2 poles and the exterior tarp of the tent. This works great in the snow –  “mid-style” – like a Mega-Mid, just a lot lighter. You can stake your tent with pickets, ice axes, wands, and other climbing gear. Try to avoid bringing stakes.

The Jetboil is for heating up dinner and melting snow for water. You can use the foil pouch from a freeze dried meal as a high camp bowl. It’s light and folds flat! The full-length sleeping pad is great on snow. It’ll keep you insulated and dry. You can also use a half-length pad (i.e. RidgeRest or Neo-Air) and the framesheet bivi pad from your pack. This option is lighter but won’t insulate as much. Make the call based on the weather.

Other tricks and tips that I’ve learned:

• When setting up for sleeping (if you’re lucky), always be the big spoon.
• Always check above you if you’re sleeping on route or on technical terrain. Be aware of rock/ice fall or avalanche potential.
• An extra little bit of food usually doesn’t weigh that much and can really help if you go long.  Throwing in four extra Gu packets is probably not going to be the difference between sending and failure.
• I hear there’s a few half-length sleeping bags out there (from Brooks Range?) – they’re really lightweight, and meant to be used with a puffy jacket.
• There are emergency blankets that are shaped like sleeping bags. They’re great for wrapping yourself up in.
• Get a sturdy emergency blanket. I’ve seen some that tear just from removing them from the packaging. If it’s sturdy, you can reuse it, too.
• Try taking pictures of your friends during bivy’s. They’re guaranteed to look their worst and can serve as really good practical joke material later on!
• Remember to bring a headlamp. Otherwise, you’re definitely going to bivy!

Okay, that’s all for now. Happy sleeping!

--Mike Pond, AAI guide and instructor. 

Pro Tips: Ice Climbing

So somewhere along the way I got a bit of a reputation. Seems that folks think I’m some kind of ice climber. Turns out they’re pretty right.

In truth, I love all kinds of climbing. Depending on the time of year, I chase long alpine routes, big rock climbs, small rock climbs, ice routes of all shapes and sizes, and sport-rock, sport-mixed, and even some sport-trad (right…). I even bought a bouldering pad this year!  But one of the coolest mediums to climb, in my opinion, is ice. I just love winter climbing (almost as much as I like summer climbing)! The ice changes so much from day to day, even hour to hour. Ice climbing can be remarkably different, too, depending on where and when you climb it. Water ice routes in the northeast and southwest, summer glacier ice in the Cascades, bullet-hard alpine ice in Alaska, or even the semantically challenging “snice” that forms from hardening freeze-thaw cycles in snow.

One of my favorite things to teach, in fact, is ice climbing. I teach water ice climbing techniques in the winter, and teach glacier ice climbing in the Cascades in the summer. Both types of climbing certainly have their differences, but in general, the technique of ice climbing is transferable to all types of ice, just like how rock climbing skill transfers through its many flavors. 

This Pro Tips article is divided into three parts: form, gear, and clothing.

Part I: Form

The following picture will be good to dissect ice technique. It’s “mostly” all there. Let’s pick it apart, shall we? 

Technique 1: Arms

Picture 1: Arm Position

There are two basic positions for your arms. Number one, which is shown in this picture is the resting position. And two, which we’ll talk about below, is the lockoff.

Which would you rather do – hang from a pull-up bar with your arms bent or straight? Of course, we all find straight arms easier. In this position, you’re hanging with the help of your skeleton, not from just your muscles. The result is that your guns will last a lot longer than if you hang with bent arms. It’s hard at first, and takes practice to make it feel comfortable, but it’s worth it. As you progress to steeper climbs, this will make all the difference.

Compare that to the next picture. This climber is demonstrating the bent-arm technique that will get’cha pumped! 

 Picture 2: Bent Arms

Technique 2: The Lockoff

Picture 3: The Lockoff

This two-part picture demonstrates the sequence of swinging form. In the left picture, the climber is resting on a straight arm. In the right picture, he has moved his feel up (with arms still straight, right?) and is now swinging his left axe with a locked off right arm.

The “lockoff” is the second-easiest position to be in. This is the same place as when you are hanging from the pullup bar with your head above the bar. It’s easier than the mid-position, bent-arm hang, but is much more difficult than hanging from a straight arm. So, this is used while swinging for the next axe placement, but is much more strenuous than hanging as the climber is in the left picture. 

Technique 3: Kicking

Picture  4: Kicking

Okay, back to the demo picture. Ice climbers, with their penchant for politically correct slogans, use the term “Swing like you screw, and kick like you poo.” While funny in a cute, weird sort of way, this is really valuable. While you’re swinging, you want to be locked off, and have your hips into the wall. When you’re kicking new steps, you want to have your arms locked off and have your hips out from the wall. This allows you to keep your heels down and make direct hits into the ice with your crampons. In general, smaller steps are easier on your body than big steps. You may need to take a few smaller steps up as opposed to one big step. I like my feet to end up about where my knees were at the previous break.

Technique 4: Hand Position

Picture 5: Hand Position

There are a few things going on in this picture that I want to talk about. First, the right hand is using the higher grip on the ice tool. This is only possible with leashless tools (which I do recommend if you’re ready for it. But that’s a totally different issue). The top grips allow you to get another 4 inches or so above the bottom grip, which can allow you to have a straighter arm, and give you a little longer stride up. Only modern tools like the Petzl Nomic, Quark, Ergo, or Black Diamond Cobras have the second grips. The more comfortable, the better.

Second, the two tools are about the same height. I usually avoid this, instead keeping one tool higher than the other. This allows you to swing fewer times for each step up you take.  Sometimes, though, I will make two placements near each other, for traversing or for stability if the ice is a bit funky.

Last, try to grip the ice tool as lightly as possible. I often play “twinkle-fingers” while practicing on toprope. When you are hanging from your straight arm, try to wiggle your fingers on your hand. The goal is to release the death grip from your ice tool. The more you clench your hand, the more pumped you’ll be. Try to find the position which holds the tool well, but doesn’t waste energy. Then, try and take this technique to all times when you’re hanging on your ice tools to save some grip strength. 

Technique 5: Straight Legs

Picture 6: Climber with bent Legs

Ideally, when standing, your legs will be straight (again, to rest on the skeleton instead of your muscles, in this case the calves). You can lock them, or have a very slight bend in them. This climber’s legs are a bit too bent for “textbook” form. It will end up putting a bit too much strain on the calves, and will feel insecure in general. The telltale “Elvis foot” or “sewing machine leg” is sometimes related to this, although not all cases are attributable to poor form. Sustained climbing tends to fatigue calf muscles while ice or mixed climbing.

So that gives a good overview of ice climbing techniques. Stay tuned to the blog for more technique tips to take you higher!

Part II: Gear

Look at the difference between these two ropes! 

Where would we be without good ropes in the winter?!

Ice climbing is a perfect storm for poor rope conditions. Water often flows down the ice flow, and down the rope itself. This water freezes, either just on top, or it soaks the rope entirely to the core. Then, the rope gets dragged through snow that sticks like Cheerios to honey, which further compounds the problem. Rinse, repeat.

The picture above shows the difference between a brand new, dry-treated rope and a fatty, fuzzy, ice collecting rope you simply shouldn’t take out climbing in the winter. Notice not only how much ice and snow the purple rope has collected, but also how much wider it is. The rope was so stiff and frozen that I had to break the “ice cable” just to coil it. The green rope remains soft and supple, ready for another climb or three.

Bottom line: use new, fairly thin (under 10mm), dry-treated ropes. If it’s fuzzy, leave it at home unless you want to be belaying or rapping down (!) frozen ice cables.

It’s amazing how much a single picture can say. I’ll use this picture again, this time to talk about my technical systems while ice climbing in the winter.  From gloves to ropes, screws, draws, and where to put your watch, I’ll go over as much as I think is reasonable and productive from this picture.

I will name drop companies in this article, so I hope you’re okay with that. In general, I’m kind of well-versed in which companies offer good ice climbing gear. I’ve used a lot of it, and talked to people who have used even more. I’ll pass on what little I’ve learned, and will acknowledge any gaps in what I know. I’ll admit, though, that I do not know about every gear company’s ins and outs.  I’m not sponsored by any company. (I am totally willing to try any gear out, by the way, so feel free to send me free gear. I promise I’ll use it).

1.      Ice Tools. I like leashless tools. I think, given enough experience and strength, that leashless tools offer a greater range of skills and will leave you less pumped than climbing with leashes. It’s a personal preference, for sure. But for what it’s worth, a lot of climbers are going sans-leashes. I have tried the Black Diamond and Petzl tools. I climb with the Petzl Nomics. I think they climb the best, though they lack the mountain applications that the BD tools have (a spike, a good hammer, smaller grips for shaft climbing in snow). So if you’re thinking about doing that gnar-bar Alaskan or Andean mixed route, well, you shouldn’t belive me, go and try both out and decide for yourself.

2.      Picks. Ice tools come with many pics these days. I use the mixed picks (Petzl Astro) for rock/mixed routes and the ice (Petzl Ice) picks for ice climbing. There actually is a difference in the way they climb. The ice pics enter and exit the ice easier, and the mixed picks grip the rock a bit better. I recommend using ice picks for climbs that are most or all ice.

3.      Mono point crampons. For steep ice routes, and any time I go mixed climbing, I go mono-point. They give me the precision and accuracy I need. They also puncture the ice better, and won’t lever out in rock like twin front-points will. That said, a lot of high-end climbers use dual points. Bottom line: try out both and see what works for you.

4.      Anti-balling plates. For everything but the crag, anti-balling (or “anti-botte”) plates are essential to prevent your crampons from balling up. Snow will collect over time – sometimes very little time – and make a big snowball under your feet. This will make you fall. New, lightweight crampons like the Petzl Darts are excellent (I have a pair), but ball up like crazy. If you’re going anywhere backcountry, bring a pair of ‘pons with anti-ball plates.

5.      Lightweight helmet. The days of the construction helmet are over! Time to get a foamy! Petzl, Black Diamond, Camp, and probably a dozen other companies make great foam helmets. They’re lightweight, they breathe better, have a strong plastic shell on the outside, and, most of all, are comfortable. Yeah, they’re more expensive, but so is ice climbing. Get the good ones, and use them! Also, many foam helmets are designed to take a side impact, which also safer.

6.      Harness. I’m actually not too picky about the harness, as long as it fits with and without several layers, has ice clipper slots, and is comfortable. I like them to have at least 4 gear loops.

7.      Quickdraws. I usually bring a selection of regular quickdraws and extendable (24”) runners. Long ice routes or traditional mixed climbs may require up to 15 quickdraws. I typically, though, use under ten.

8.      Racking gear. I like to put draws on both the front gear loops, leaving the two back gear loops for any rock gear (pins, cams, nuts) and anchor building and misc. materials (lockers, cordelettes, long slings, belay device, knife, v-threader, tat). If I have a lot of rock gear, like when I’m doing trad mixed climbs or when I might be putting in rock gear near the ice, I’ll put the rock gear in the front gear loops and leave draws and anchor stuff in the back. A fifth gear loop helps to keep anchor gear in the back, out of the way. Some people climb with a shoulder sling that has either rock gear or draws. I don’t personally do this, but it’s not a bad idea.

9.      Ice clippers. The only way to efficiently rack ice screws is with ice clippers. (If you have Grivel 360 ice screws, you’ll probably have to figure something else out). I usually have four on my harness, two on the right and two on the left. I can rack as many screws as I need for a lead, or clip my tools to them when I’m not climbing. By the way, a good habit is to clip your tools to your harness as soon as you finish a pitch – I have rappelled down without my tools more than once!

10.  Ice screws. I use only Black Diamond Express screws – the ones with the color-coded spinners. They rack the best, come in easy colors, sink really well into the ice, have two clip-in points, and are the easiest to screw in. In my opinion, they are the best on the market. 

11.  Anchor building materials. I usually bring a double-length (48”) sling or two, a triple-length sling (72”), and a 20-foot cordalette. The double slings allow me to extend a piece of gear, sling an icicle, or do a two-screw ice anchor beautifully. The cordalette is for multi-piece anchors, or anchoring to trees. It also comes in handy if you need to leave some material for a V-thread, rappel anchor, pre-rig a rappel, or in case of self-rescue. The triple sling is basically a lighter version of a cordalette, with far less versatility and wears down faster. But it’s a lot lighter, so it works well.

12.   Puffy jacket. I love my puffy. I bring it on most climbs, if it is at all chilly ouside. There are two ways you can bring it up: in a stuff sack or a backpack. The backpack option is a little faster for getting your jacket in and out, but stuff sack comes with you all the time and clips right to the harness. If I am doing a straightforward ice climb, I’ll usually opt for the stuff sack. If I’m going to do a mixed climb or one that has a lot of chimneys, I’ll bring a backpack. If it’s a longer climb and I have a backpack anyway, I’ll bring the pack, especially if I have some food and water with me anyway.

13.  Half ropes. I usually use half ropes for ice climbing. The two ropes allow for longer rappels than one single rope. They also are lighter and stretch more if you take a fall on them. The #1 rule ice climbing is “don’t fall” but in case you do, you’ll likely appreciate the stretchy rope that puts less impact force on your ice screws (so it will be more likely to hold a fall and not pop out).

14.  Knife. I always bring my little knife with me. If I need to clean up a rappel station or cut a V-thread, the knife will make that possible. Trango and Petzl both make really small knives that clip into a biner easily. Get one!

15.  Emergency gear. Just in case. This category might be bigger or smaller, depending on the climb. I usually bring an extra prussik cord and a Petzl Tibloc. These will help for a pulley or if I need to ascend the rope. I may also bring an emergency blanket, first aid kit, bivi sack, sleeping pad, depending on the length and type of climb. “emergency” might simply mean “bivi gear” that doubles as splint-making material (like sleeping pads, extra cord, or even skis). Cilo Gear backpacks, as well as a few from other companies, have a built-in foam pad as the frame sheet to allow for a bivi pad or splint. Handy stuff!

16.  Tat. If I am planning on rappelling with V-threads or if I am in the alpine, I will bring some kind of “tat,” or spare material like cordalette or half-inch webbing for leaving at rappel stations. You could always use your cordalette or a chunk of your rope (a bummer), but it’s a little cheaper and less emotionally scarring to use an old piece of webbing or cord.

17.  V-Threader tool. There are a variety of V-threaders out there. Any one will do (including a piece of coat hanger wire). Grivel has the best, though – one that has a V-thread hook, knife, and built-in carabiner. It’s also the most expensive. On this one, though. there’s no need to go big and spendy. I’ll post a blog article soon about how to make your own V-threader tool.

18.  Bullet Pack. Sometimes, on longer routes, I’ll bring a small pack. Sometimes called “Bullet Packs,” these are made by many companies. A 20-L size is usually good. Just something to hold some food and water, possibly another layer or some tat. If possible, I have the second carry it so that the leader can have less weight on while on the sharp end.

Part III: Clothing

Everyone has their own clothing systems. It seems like a lot of climbers these days have the same idea

when it comes to dressing for the coldest sport in the lower 48. Note that NONE of the gear is cotton.

It’s all synthetic, which insulates when wet, dries easier and smells worse, too.

Clothes:

1.      Base layer. A t-shirt will do. It is more comfortable than the R1 on your skin, and if nothing else, this layer keeps the R1 from smelling too bad.

2.      R1 Hoody. This is a dream piece. It is comfortable, warm, and has a built-in hood/balaclava for your head and neck. It’s awesome.

3.      Softshell or hardshell jacket. Depending on the location, weather, and how wet I think the snow and ice will be, I’ll decide between soft- and hard shells. A softshell is more breathable, but gets wetter and lets more wind through. Hard shells are water- and wind-proof, but are not as comfortable, and stretch less.

4.      Expedition down parka or DAS parka. Again, depending on weather. If it is really cold out, the down parka is the warmer option, though it, like all other down, cannot insulate or dry out when wet. The DAS in synthetic, so will keep you warm when wet and can dry out with body heat if it does get wet. It’s not quite as compressible or warm as the other. Either way, I always bring a puffy with me.

5.      Softshell or hardshell pants. Just like the jacket, I’ll base the decision on the anticipated conditions. Softshell pants are a lot nicer to move in, because they stretch so much, compared with hardshells. I like the Mixmaster pants because they have built-in R1 insulation and are suspenders, which is more comfortable than regular pants. It is nice if your pants can fit over ski boots and climbing boots, to allow more versatility. Most pants do this well.

6.      R1 long underwear. I really like these. They’re warm and stretchy. I rarely go ice climbing in just pants with no insulation underneath. If it gets too hot and I have them on, I can usually regulate my temperature easily with upper layers easily enough.

Gloves:

7.      Chilly-Grips. Find these at your gas station or Home Depot. They’re a synthetically-insulated glove with a rubber palm. They are cheap ($12) and climb really well. I use these only when it’s warm out. They’re great for mixed climbing.

8.      Black Diamond Punishers. There are others out there that work well, but I have found these to be excellent. They’re totally waterproof, have good dexterity and grip, and are warm enough for most ice climbing.

9.      Mitts or warm gloves. I love my hands, and want to keep them warm at belays. I can usually belay in big gloves and then switch to Punishers for climbing. I often carry the gloves I’m not wearing inside my jacket to keep them warm and dry.

Misc.

10.  Buff. I love my buff! It is great in the sun, the wind, over my face, or as a headband for extra style points. It’s a versatile neck gaiter that is stretchy, too. Available in lots of styles, so choose carefully which Buff will represent your personality the best. Mountain flair and function.

11.  Socks. Medium weight, usually. Make sure they fit with your boots and are not going to cut off circulation to your toes from being too tight.

12.  Hat. Get one that fits your head well and won’t ride into your eyes under your helmet.

13.  Goggles. I often pack ski goggles with me if I’m going into the mountains, in case the wind is bad. They don’t weigh much, and often make windy weather tolerable.

14.  Sun glasses. Ice and snow reflect a lot of light. It’s great to have something that will shield your eyes from UV radiation and falling ice. A one-two punch!

15.   Watch. Altitude watches are nice, but usually not necessary for ice climbing.

And most important, have fun!

--Mike Pond, Instructor and Guide

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 12/14/17

Northwest:

--A missing backcountry skier was found in good condition on Monday near Revelstoke, British Columbia. To read more, click here.

Sierra:

--Fox 40 is reporting that, "While snowboarding at Sierra-at-Tahoe Thursday, a man crashed into a fence and was killed. The 23-year-old snowboarder was on an intermediate trail around 1:15 p.m. when the incident occurred, according to Thea Hardy with Sierra-at-Tahoe." To read more, click here.

--There was a serious climber injury in the Owens River Gorge on Saturday. A female climber fell from just above the third bolt on China Doll (5.8), dropped 35-feet and hit the ground. It's likely that the ground-fall was due to poor belaying. It's unclear whether the injured party will make a full recovery. To read more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--Reuters is reporting that, "A U.S. federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a lower-court ruling keeping a ban on uranium mining around the Grand Canyon, but also upheld a separate decision allowing a uranium mine nearby to open." To read more, click here.

--The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that, "According to a May 25 letter obtained by The Washington Post, Utah’s primary uranium producer and waste processor, Colorado-based Energy Fuels Resources (EFR), implored Interior officials to trim Bears Ears National Monument in ways that protect its assets just outside the monument’s periphery, which included the country’s last operating uranium mill." To read more, click here.

--The Access Fund will sue the government to protect Bears Ears. To read more, click here.

--Red Rock Rendezvous will take place between March 16 and 19, 2018. This is a great chance to rub elbows with guides and athletes and to learn all kinds of new skills. For more information, click here.  Please also consider climbing with an AAI guide before or after the event!

--Service dogs in Joshua Tree National Park will now need to have permits that they are valid service dogs. To read more, click here.

Colorado:

--Rocky Mountain National Park climbing ranger, Quinn Brett is in the process of recovering from a severe fall in Yosemite that has left her paralyzed. CBS Denver has posted a piece on her recovery. To watch it or read an article on Quinn, click here.

--Lyft is going to start to service Colorado ski areas. To read more, click here.

Notes from All Over:

--The New Hampshire Union Leader is reporting that, "U.S. Forest Service snow rangers hope Mount Washington’s first avalanche of the season will be a catalyst for a newly launched initiative to teach school kids and the public how to be safer on the highest peak in the Northeast. Frank Carus, the lead snow ranger, said two climbers were uninjured after triggering “a small avalanche” on Dec. 1 in Central Gully in Huntington Ravine, on the northeast side of the mountain." To read more, click here.

An ice climber in the Canadian Rockies.

--Apparently there have been some issues and conflicts over ice climbing ethics in the Canadian Rockies this season. Here is a short list of things ice climbers should consider to be responsible users.

--And finally, this week we have a piece from the Onion about a man who keeps his keys on a carabiner and must rappel into his office building every day. To read the piece, click here.

The World's Best Belayer

So, apparently there's a guy out there who is the best of the best of the best of the best at belaying. Petzl has made a very funny video about this individual with all kinds of superstar climbers.

Check it out:



It does look like this video was inspired by a section of a 2012 film called Almost Alpine where they have a very similar sequence. To see the video, click here.

--Jason D. Martin

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 12/7/17

Northwest:

--An out-of-bounds skier had to be rescued from a steep slope near British Columbia's Mt. Seymoure on Sunday. To read more, click here.

--The Mountaineers are looking for volunteer ski instructors for Meany Lodge at Stampede Pass. To learn more, click here.

Desert Southwest:

--The Desert Trail is reporting that, "a San Diego woman who was left dangling 150 feet above the ground while climbing in Joshua Tree National Park was rescued by helicopter Saturday, Dec. 2. The entire hoist rescue was performed in darkness with the use of Night Vision Goggles." To read more, click here.

--There was a second incident in Joshua Tree as well. To read more, click here.

--Red Rock Rendezvous will take place between March 16 and 19, 2018. This is a great chance to rub elbows with guides and athletes and to learn all kinds of new skills. For more information, click here.  Please also consider climbing with an AAI guide before or after the event!

--Zion National Park has a human waste problem. Check it out...

Colorado:

--A snowboarder was killed after hitting a tree in the Monarch Ski Resort. To read more, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "The U.S. House voted Tuesday to name two peaks in Colorado after local mountaineers Christine Boskoff and Charlie Fowler, both of whom died in 2006 during a climb of Genyen Peak in southwestern China." Christine was an important figure in the guiding world and owned the guide service, Mountain Madness. To read more, click here.

--The Durango Herald is reporting that, "a Durango woman is suing Silverton Mountain on claims that the ski area recklessly disregarded safety protocols after she fell off the top of a high-altitude chairlift platform in March 2016, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down." To read more, click here.

--Rocky Mountain National Park will be having a informational jobs fair next week.

Notes from All Over:

After the decision to shrink Bears Ears National Monument

Patagonia placed this image on their website.

--In a press release, the Access Fund notes, "President Trump issued a proclamation that attempts to dismantle Bears Ears National Monument by 85%, and the impacts to climbing are far-reaching. The President does not have the legal authority to modify or rescind a National Monument. And we are fighting this in court. This fight is about more than just protecting the incredible climbing at Bears Ears. Nearly 60% of our climbing areas are on federal public lands, and if this presidential proclamation stands, it threatens the very foundation of our public lands system. Bears Ears is a crucial battle in the greater fight for America's public lands." Click here to support the Access Fund and other organizations in a lawsuit to protect Bears Ears.

A map showing the change in size to Bears Ears.

Click to Enlarge

--Here's a depressing piece on how little the outdoor industry was able to do to stop the Bears Ears size reduction.

--John Krakauer sued Outside magazine for republishing his article, Into Thin Air. The piece was later turned into the best-selling book about the 1996 Everest Tragedy. Outside placed the article online. To read more, click here.

Job Information Session for Rocky Mountain National Park

The American Alpine Institute just received the following email from Rocky Mountain National Park:

Rocky Mountain National Park will be hosting a Job Information Session on Tuesday, December 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.  Come learn about the job application process for Rocky Mountain National Park and how to apply online for specific jobs at the park.  Information will also be available regarding park volunteer opportunities as well as fellowship positions with Rocky Mountain Conservancy.  Short presentations by park staff describing the jobs will begin at 5 pm. 

Beginning in mid-December the park will be accepting online applications for work in campgrounds and entrance stations for this summer.  In January, online applications will be accepted for custodial workers and in February, for general maintenance workers.  Individuals interested in seasonal positions at the park should regularly review the USAjobs website.  All Federal job announcements for Rocky Mountain National Park are posted on www.usajobs.gov 

For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Information Office at (970) 586-1206.
-NPS-

Pamela Shanti Pack: "The Kill Artist"

Pamela Shanti Pack is one of the best off-width climbers in the world. This video chronicles her battle with  the "Mental Block," an off-width detached block on the second pitch of Kill Artist (5.13) in Long Canyon, Utah. The off-width section on the Mental Block is incredibly dangerous because the block could come off during an ascent. Additionally, climbing the Mental Block requires inverted off-width movement.

This film does feature a cameo by Scott Massey. Scott was an AAI Instructor and Guide for several years.

Please note that there is profanity in this film.



--Jason D. Martin

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad - 11/30/17

Desert Southwest:

--The Washington Post and many others are reporting that, "President Trump will travel to Utah on Monday to lay out his plans to cut the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, according to individuals briefed on the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it had not been formally announced." To read more, click here.

--Red Rock Rendezvous will take place between March 16 and 19, 2018. This is a great chance to rub elbows with guides and athletes and to learn all kinds of new skills. For more information, click here.  Please also consider climbing with an AAI guide before or after the event!

Notes from All Over:

--A skier died in an avalanche near Alaska's Hatcher Pass last week. There is still limited information about this event. To read more, click here.

--The Associated Press is reporting that, "Mexican authorities said Sunday that they had rescued nine climbers from Mexico’s tallest mountain in recent days, and one mountaineer from the United States had died." To read more, click here.

--Outside recently published an incredibly interesting article about a conman named Jeff Caldwell, who posed as a thru-hiker. He would commonly become friends with a sympathetic person, sometimes appear to be a good potential suitor, and then he would scam them. Brendon Borrell writes, "as I learned about Caldwell’s exploits, I wondered if there was something about the outdoor community and our sympathy for such wanderers that may make us especially easy marks. When we see a man with a trail-worn Gore-Tex jacket and a decade-old Dana Designs backpack, we instinctively trust him. We can’t help but envy his authenticity, his freedom. He’s not just a weekend warrior—he’s living the life we want." To read this incredibly interesting article, click here.

--The Denver Post is reporting that, "much of Utah is seeing balmy weather, and unseasonably warm temperatures have prompted the Snowbird ski resort to suspend skiing and related winter activities just days after opening the season." To read more, click here.

A recent photo of the Yeti from the Himalaya.

--The Yeti is a Himalayan legend similar to the legend of Bigfoot in the United States and Canada. However, unlike the Bigfoot, there are a lot of Yeti relics that people in the region have. This includes hair and bone fragments. IFLScience is reporting on a team that took these Yeti samples to a lab to have them analyzed. "The DNA, however, suggests that this is unlikely the case. One of the samples was from a humble canine, while the other eight all came from one of three species of living bear still found meandering the high mountain passes and plateaus: the Asian black bear, the Himalayan brown bear, and the Tibetan brown bear. No ape, polar bear, or yeti to speak of." To read more, click here.

--Nice job, Outside. We agree...!

Equipment Recalls:

--Omega Pacific is recalling some carabiners. "This recall involves six models of Omega Pacific G-FIRST series aluminum carabiners. They are typically used to allow ropes and harnesses to be linked together. “Omega-17 UL Classified USA” is printed on the front and 'Meets NFPA 1983 17ED MBS kN 40 G' statement is located on the back side. The 2-digit lot code 'OD' is embedded on the bottom side of the carabiner spine. They were sold individually in silver, black and red colors." To read more, click here.

Route Profile: Bloodline (5.11a, II+)

The splitter crux pitch on Bloodline.  Mega Classic!
(A. Stephen)

In the quest to find awesome forgotten routes in Red Rocks, sometimes you have to travel off the beaten path. Other times, that classic line is less than half an hour from the parking lot.  Bloodline is a classic 4-pitch 5.11a at the top of "the cone"on the northwestern side of Mescalito.  The first two pitches ascend the left side of this cone and up to the base of the cavernous chimney that is a route known as Deep Space.

Looking down at the top of the stellar first pitch (A. Stephen)

The really fun climbing begins on the left side of the chimney, with a long(150 ft.) bolted face climb which both my partner and I thought was fun, engaging, and sustained enough to deserve a 5.10c rating.  The rock on this pitch was excellent and varied, providing some unusual and extremely fun movement.  Rad!

So Good!!!! (V.Portillo)

The next and final pitch of Bloodline is the crux finger crack.  The crack is very thin- only big enough for me to get the first knuckle of my fingers in. Most of the climbing felt like 5.10, with some difficult moves to good rests. The crux is a short 5.11a section where the feet disappear and the crack is really all you have to work with. A couple hard moves with great gear puts you underneath a hand-crack bulge which guards the anchor. There was a tiny bit of loose rock on this bulge, so be careful with your protection and make sure your belayer is alert, since they are anchored in the potential line of fire.  

Vanessa getting her first 11a TR on-site! (A. Stephen)

We continued on to try for the summit of Mescalito after this pitch, and after some scary, loose climbing, found ourselves below the Red Chimney, which guards the summit of Mescalito from Cat in the Hat buttress.  I definitely would recommend rapping the route from the top of the crux pitch! 

Bloodline is an amazing climb, and very approachable for the grade.  It is in the shade all day so if you are looking for something to climb when it is hot, give this one a try!

Can you feel the stoke!?  (A. Stephen)

-Andy Stephen, Instructor and Guide