Tools Used for Mountain Climbing

Overview

Climbers are not known for eagerly conforming to rules or standards. Quite the opposite, in fact. One result of this approach to life is a wide variance in, and rabid defense of, personal climbing styles. Some mountaineers prefer a light-and-fast approach, carrying as little as possible, while others bring the kitchen sink along. Just in case. But no matter what your climbing style, there are some mountaineering tools you just can’t do without.

Footwear

Double boots, with a hard plastic shell and softer insulating liner, are common footwear on expedition climbs. Some mountaineers choose to climb in ski boots to facilitate a ski descent. The one real requirement for mountaineering footwear, aside from keeping your feet warm and dry, is that they must have rigid or nearly rigid soles to accommodate crampons.

Crampons

Crampons strap or clip onto your mountaineering boots. Most mountaineering crampons have at least 12 small spikes, properly known as points, that point down and forward to provide traction on snow and ice.

Rope

What sort of rope you take on your mountaineering adventure depends very much on your own personal style and preferences. Rope diameters typically range anywhere from about 7.6 mm to more than 10 mm, and slender ropes may be used singly or in pairs.

Belay Device

Like rope, which belay device you use will depend on your technique, style and above all personal preference. You’ll find mountaineers climbing with anything from classic figure-8 belay devices and Sticht plates to endless variations on the tube-style ATC. Regardless of which belay device you choose, its essential purpose is the same: Applying friction to the rope to stop a climber’s fall.

Harness

The harness is your point of connection to the rope. Mountaineers usually spend less time hanging in their harness than sport or trad climbers, so mountaineering harnesses are usually relatively uncomfortable affairs with as little padding as possible to save weight.

Protection

What protective gear you carry and use will depend on your destination’s land features and conditions, along with your own personality and style. Protective gear used on a mountaineering outing may range from pitons to cams to nuts to snow anchors and ice screws. Climbers usually carry any protection they expect to use actively on a gear sling around the upper body, with the remainder riding in the pack until it’s needed.