Photo by Ross. Feature photo by groundzero.

Back when legendary climbers Royal Robbins and Warren Harding were hammering pitons into cracks on Yosemite’s big walls, climbing gear was pretty much do-it-yourself. Climbing pioneers fashioned harnesses out of ropes, used rubber-soled shoes or leather boots, and scavenged scrap iron to make carabiners and bolts.

As climbers became more and more ambitious, innovative athletes took matters into their own hands, inventing the tools, footwear, and safety gear that allows modern climbers to perform at their best.

The following guide will help you select the gear that’s right for you.

Getting Started

If you’re just getting started rock climbing, you can rent the basic gear at an indoor climbing gym. But once you get hooked on the sport, there are a few considerations when buying your own gear.

First, what kind of climbing do you plan to do?

If you’re interested in bouldering, (climbing on low routes without rope protection), you’ll need a different set up than if you plan to use “trad” or traditional climbing techniques. While bouldering requires only shoes, hand chalk, and a crash pad, trad gear is a weighty combination of hardware of all sizes and shapes.

For the purposes of this guide, the recommendations will be based on a style of climbing called “sport” which is growing in popularity all over the world.

Sport Climbing Gear

Sport climbers use a rope, harness, belay device, sticky rubber shoes, a helmet, and a series of carabiners and webbing (called quickdraws) to secure themselves to permanent bolts in the rock. Sport climbers use dynamic ropes with a little stretch to cushion falls.

Ropes

Ropes come in many different diameters, and they’re carefully tested to ensure safety under extreme circumstances. Leading rope manufacturers include Blue Water, Metolius, Mammut, Sterling, Petzl, PMI, and Edelweiss.

Ropes can be expensive, with most retailing for approximately $200, so many climbers will share a rope with their climbing partner or use those handy seasonal sales to outfit themselves.

Photo by alexindigo

Harness

Harnesses are considerably less expensive than ropes. You can get a top of the line model for around $80.

Petzl, Mammut, Singing Rock, and Black Diamond are all top brands.

For women we recommend the Petzl Luna, which is reviewed on Matador Goods.

Fit is very important for safety, so be sure to try on a few models before settling on the one you like best (because of this, I don’t recommend purchasing your harness online).

Also, never wear a worn-out or heavily-used harness. One of the world’s top big wall climbers, Todd Skinner, was killed in 2006 when a loop on his old harness broke.

Be sure to replace your harness if you notice any wear and tear.

Shoes

The right climbing shoes can make all the difference when it comes to improving your performance. You want your shoes to fit snugly, with very little airspace in the toes and heel.

Some advanced climbers wear their shoes so tight that their toes curl up in the end!

While I would recommend trying on many different models from brands like FiveTen, Scarpa, Evolv, and La Sportiva, there are innumerable options out there which many stores do not carry.

If you find a particular brand fits your foot well, Zappos.com offers free shipping both ways which allows shoppers to return shoes that don’t work out. You can get a great pair of shoes for between $75 and $130.

Hardware

Manufacturers have used a number of different techniques when designing climbing hardware to make the safety techniques easier and faster to execute under pressure.

Quickdraws usually have a straight-gated carabiner on one end and a curved-gated or wire-gated carabiner on the other. The curved or wire gate allows climbers to clip the rope through quickly and easily while still preserving the strength of the quickdraw.

Black Diamond, Petzl, DMM are the best-known hardware companies, and their products are popular with climbers all over the world.

Quickdraws and carabiners are inexpensive individually, but you will usually need about 12 draws for sport climbing outdoors.

Belay devices are also a matter of individual preference, though auto-locking devices such as the Trango Cinch and the Petzl GriGri can help absorb the impact of a fall.

Many beginning climbers will climb with more experienced friends before investing the $200 in hardware.

Helmet

Climbers of all ability levels should invest in a helmet to protect themselves from falling rock and unanticipated outcroppings.

I’ve bumped my head a number of times on overhanging rock, and my helmet has prevented some nasty falls and painful bruises.

Both the belayer and the climber should wear a helmet, and they’re relatively inexpensive. Choose one that fits well and is lightweight so it won’t inhibit your movement on the rock. Petzl and Black Diamond are the two largest helmet manufacturers, and they offer a variety of styles and price points.

Resources

Finally, get the most use out of your gear by researching the cliffs near you. Mountainproject.com and rockclimbing.com both offer a wealth of information about climbing locations all over the country. These helpful sites also offer gear recommendations, climbing partner profiles, and fantastic photos from crags around the world.

Once you have assembled your gear, learned how to properly use it, and found a solid climbing partner, you’re ready to venture out into the vertical world.

Winter hike up Mt. Moosilauke. Photo by Steven Erat

Many outdoor enthusiasts spend summer, spring, and fall weekends on their favorite trails, but tend to hibernate during the winter months. If you fall into this category, you are missing out on something special. These following 10 tips will get you geared up for a safe, comfortable winter hike.

1. Dress like an onion.

The Quebecois have a saying, s’habiller comme un oignon, which literally means to dress like an onion, in layers. This is especially important when hiking in colder weather, as temperatures can vary at the bottom of the trail and on the summit of the mountain. Having a variety of insulating clothing will help you regulate your body temperature and stay comfortable. I like to wear a layer of long underwear, a light fleece or soft shell jacket, and waterproof pants. I keep an insulated jacket (either down or synthetic loft), fleece pants, and a waterproof shell jacket in my pack in case of foul weather. Always wear thick, winter-weight socks, since your toes are the first place you’ll feel cold. It’s also a good idea to have two layers of gloves or mittens, one for insulation and one for waterproofing. An outfit like this will keep you dry in case of precipitation and warm when you reach an exposed area or summit.

2. Start small and start early.

When planning your first winter hike, be reasonable about the distance and difficulty of the trail. While it might be a cinch to do a twelve-mile loop in summertime conditions, you may run into ice or deep snow on the same trail during the winter. Also, many access roads to your favorite trailheads are closed and unplowed over the winter, which could add significant mileage to your trip. There is nothing quite as frustrating as wading through waist deep snow for miles on end, so choose a trail you know you can handle without difficulty.

Also, be prepared for some early mornings. Don’t forget that the sun sets much earlier in the winter months. Plan to be off the trail before dark to avoid getting lost or having an accident.

3. Bring safety gear.

There are a few basic items that every winter hiker should carry in case of emergency. Aside from basic hiking gear, you should always have a trail map, a first aid kit, a compass, a pocket knife or multi-tool, hand warming packets, and a headlamp. For a day hike, it’s a good idea to split up some of the heavier safety items among the members of your group. Avid outdoorsman Frank Gibbons, who hikes and backpacks year-round in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, warns that even day hikers should be prepared to spend the night in an emergency. “Every member of the group usually carries some emergency gear like a bivy sack or sleeping bag, down parka, cell phone, sleeping pad (for laying someone down if he is hurt), etc.” While it may mean that your backpack is a bit heavier, it may also mean that you avoid frostbite if you have to stay on the mountain overnight.

4. Check the weather.

While this might seem like an obvious step, it’s important to get a complete picture of the conditions for your trip, not just the temperature. Look at the precipitation, wind speed, avalanche reports, and daylight hours. I spoke with Peter Crane, the Director of Programs at the Mount Washington Observatory. He advises winter hikers to become knowledgeable about winter weather: “Do your research, learn about winter conditions and how they vary from summer conditions. It’s really a different world in the winter. A dozen people have died on Mount Washington due to avalanches. When you get above tree line, you have the added challenge of finding your way in limited visibility, or even whiteout conditions.” Be sure your hike is planned for a day when conditions are manageable. The good news is it is very easy to find this kind of weather information, and if the conditions are scary, postpone your hike.

5. Learn to use crampons.

When the trail is icy, crampons can make the difference between summiting and turning around, but if you use them improperly it’s easy to injure yourself. If you’re new to crampons, read up on techniques and try them out on an easy trail. Practice putting them on and taking them off. Have a more experienced friend show you how to use them going uphill and downhill. I’ll never forget seeing an obvious beginner jog nonchalantly down an icy rock face in his crampons. One misstep, one stumble, and he could have cut open his leg or sprained an ankle. Take it slow when you’re starting out to avoid accidents. Never forget that crampons are in fact metal spikes attached to your feet!

6. Take an experienced friend.

Hiking with friends is always the way to go, especially in the winter. Not only is it more fun to share the adventure with others, but it’s also safer to be with a group. An experienced friend can help you with choosing gear, using crampons or snowshoes, and identifying dangerous conditions. Also, avid winter hikers usually have extra gloves, hiking poles, and goggles laying around that you could borrow to fill out your packing list. Be sure to leave at least one friend at home who knows where you’re going.

7. Make tea or cocoa.

It is essential to bring plenty of water when hiking in the winter, as dehydration is a common problem. Add some comfort to your trip by making tea, coffee, or cocoa in a lightweight portable stove, or carrying it with you in a thermos. A hot beverage can warm you up and provide a nice break from the hike. If your water is room temperature, it’s less likely to freeze and it will boil faster. There’s nothing like a hot cocoa break to motivate you for the summit push.

8. Invest in good gear.

While no two packing lists are exactly the same, there are some basic items that every winter hiker should be prepared to buy. Most avid winter hikers invest in the following items: crampons or snowshoes, waterproof pants and jacket, knee-high gaiters, waterproof boots, an insulated jacket, a lightweight backpack, hiking poles, a camp stove, hats/gloves, and goggles or wrap-around sunglasses. While it’s tempting to take the cheap route and get sub-par gear, I recommend looking for end-of-season sales and coupons instead. Look at www.rei.com/outlet or www.backcountryoutlet.com for closeout items. It can be expensive when you’re getting started, but most of the gear you pick up can be useful in the summer season as well.

9. Be prepared to turn around.

Legendary mountaineer Ed Viesturs (who has climbed every 8,000 meter peak in the world) once said, “Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory.” Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Crane told me, “The mountains have been here for a long time, and they’ll be here for a long time still.” Don’t hesitate to turn around if you run into conditions that look dangerous. Reaching the summit of a peak is just half the journey, and you must have time and energy left over for the descent. Focus on the entire trip, not just the ascent.

10. Treat yourself to a great meal.

Lastly, be sure to reward yourself for a job well-done. When I come off a mountain, I like to find the nearest source of comfort food. Sometimes it’s a cozy bar with great burgers, sometimes it’s a lively pizza place. No worries about your appearance and aroma; restaurants at the base of any big peak are used to hikers stopping off for a meal.

While there are many considerations when transitioning from casual fair-weather hiking to winter expeditions, these tips should get you started on year-round adventures.