The Metolius Super 7 Set of climbing holds is an excellent addition to your home wall or woodie. With seven different shapes and sizes of holds you get a versatile mix of bouldering specific handholds and footholds. Made from durable polyester resin for lasting time on your wall and easy gripping.
The Metolius Modular Holds form the foundation of any climbing wall system. They are medium in size, but as the name implies, incredibly versatile. Every imaginable style of hold is represented here from horrendous slopers to super incut: edges, pockets, pinches, knobs, and complex grips of multi-faceted modular madness.
FEATURES of the Ice Flute by Petzl Open-ended design helps avoid ice/snow build-up Tubes can be used individually or linked together SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: 155 g Holds ice screws up to 21 cm Materials: plastic and rubber 3-year guarantee ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL.
Description of Mountaineers Books Ice & Mixed Climbing: Modern TechniquesFrom one of the most prominent names in the sport today comes a comprehensive instruction guide to ice and mixed climbing. Will Gadd presents the same cutting-edge techniques and veteran wisdom he imparts to those who atttend his clinics. It’s an inspiring blend of real life stories, illustrated in vibrant color photography by Roger Chayer.Features:Written by Will GaddPhotography by Roger Chayer208 PagesPaperbackDetailed instruction on basic techniques including the swing (ice axe), the kick (footwork), and putting it all togetherHow to read ice – selecting your line and climbing it safelyBasic and advanced drytool techniques and tactics for mixed climbingGear selection for pure ice climbings and radical mixed routesTraining for winter climbing, both in the gym and on ice
Description of Mountaineers Books Washington Ice: A Climbing GuideGym climbing has evolved into a sport in its own right and Matt Burbach has been there to spur it on. He established, developed, and directed the Indoor Climbing School of Earth Treks Climbing Center in Maryland, the largest climbing gym on the east coast. Now he presents the same techniques and training exercises honed by coaching hundreds of climbers.Burbach covers all aspects of indoor rock climbing in detail, including what to look for in a gym, analysis of equipment and how it works, proper top-rope systems management, and movement technique. More advanced indoor climbers will appreciate chapters on topics such as indoor leading, performance, competition climbing, and bouldering. For outdoor rock climbers now training in gyms, this guide aids the “reverse” transition from climbing on real rock to pulling on plastic. Throughout, Burbach not only demonstrates the proper techniques and skills, but goes one
Metolius Mini Jug holds are nearly perfect for any climber or any wall. Their small footprint makes them ideal for small woodie walls where space is a premium. No matter how steep your wall gets, Mini Jugs always give you a finger bucket to go for. And because they are so positive, they also make ideal holds for kids and beginners alike.
FEATURES of the Ice Box by Black Diamond Durable ballistic cloth outer with closed-cell foam padding Holds 4 tools – crampons – and 10 screws with room for picks and accessories Mesh air-dry compartment SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: 1.3 g / 2 lb 14 oz ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL.
Description of Arcteryx X350a Climbing HarnessDesigned for ice and mixed climbers, the X350a is a fully adjustable harness with integrated Ice Clipper slots and four injection molded gear loops. Lightweight and super supple, this harness is a four season specialist.Features:WST: load is evenly supported across entire harness structureThree Ice Clipper slotsThree self locking bucklesWear Safety Markers on tie in pointsFour injection molded reversible/removable gear loopsHaul loopBelay loopStorage BoxElasticized leg loopsDrop seat7075 T6 Aluminum Anodized buckleSchoeller DynamicSpacemeshType 66 Nylon webbingPolyurethane gear loops
Description of Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet This low profile helmet is easy to adjust, comfortable and well-ventilated. The improved dial adjustment system is quick and easy to use, even when wearing the helmet. Using a combination of shell and foam technology, it’s perfect for rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoning and caving.Lightweight and durable helmetFeatures:Injection molded ABS shell is both lightweight and durableExpanded polystyrene liner absorbs impactsAdjustable chinstrap, nape height and headband for an extremely comfortable fitEasy-to-use molded adjustment wheel quickly dials in the headband size, even while the helmet is being wornChin strap position adjusts forward or backward and redesigned side-release chin strap buckle is positioned off to the side for comfortNarrow polyester webbing straps offer improved comfortHeadlamp attachment with 4 optimally placed clipsCompatible with VIZION face shieldInjection molded ABS shellExpanded
Description of Black Diamond Blizzard Climbing HarnessThe Blizzard is specialized for hard winter climbing, from drytooling testpieces to one-day pushes on alpine walls. This fully adjustable harness is constructed from hydrophobic foam laminate, with a thermoformed bullhorn waistbelt to keep your back intact and padded leg loops to keep the circulation flowing at hanging belays. It includes an Ice Clipper and nine Ice Clipper slots for maximum racking speed. The Blizzard also features four gear loops and a haul loop.Features:Weight: 485 g (1 lb 1 oz)Fully adjustable harnessHydrophobic foam laminateThermoformed bullhorn waistbeltIncludes an Ice Clipper and 9 Ice Clipper slotsFour gear loopsHaul loop
Description of Petzl Meteor III Climbing HelmetUltralight helmetUltralight and ventilated climbing helmet.With the METEOR III, one can focus on the activity.Features:Easy to forget it is being worn Lightweight, Excellent ventilation, twice the ventilation surface area of the previous model Comfortable internal foam Adjustable headband circumference Chinstrap buckle lateral position4 headlamp clips Integrated inserts for attaching the VIZION ice climbing face shield. Headband height adjusts at the nape87cm of ventilation surafce area
A climbing and mountaineering harness with adjustable leg loops, the Petzl Adjama Climbing Harness features easy-to-adjust leg loops, making the Adjama great for ice climbing and mountaineering in addition to cragging and route climbing. Low bulk and flexible rear equipment loops prevent the waistbelt from interfering while wearing a pack.
Description of SuperTopo Alaska ClimbingWhether looking to climb Denali?s West Buttress or scale a wall in the Ruth Gorge, Alaska Climbing is the book to take you there. Author Joseph Puryear?s result of 15 years of Alaska Range climbing and research is the most detailed information ever for the region?s best climbs. Included are routes of all abilities from moderate snow climbs to the difficult test-pieces of the range. Each climb gets detailed photo-diagrams, in-depth strategy, camping info, retreat beta, and first ascent history. Detailed color topos and maps bring these climbs to life.Features:Written by Joseph Puryear30 routesDifficulty: Easy snow, 5.8, A1 to steep ice, 5.11, A3 Most accurate & detailed topos ever!First ascent historyUSGS maps for each climbOver 150 recent color photos, from the area?s top mountaineering photographersCritical information on how to stay alive in the Alaska RangeDetailed approach and descent betaSuggestions for other area c
The Petzl Quark Ice Tool is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged Cascade pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. Griprest increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.
Description of C.A.M.P. Corsa Ice AxeThe lightest ice axe in the world! Another instance of C.A.M.P. beating its own lightweight record. 7075 aluminum alloy B-rated head and shaft. Not suitable for ice climbing or mixed terrain. Absolutely perfect for low angle glacier travel, ski mountaineering and adventure racing.
Description of Petzl Quark Adze Ice AxeThe QUARK is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged CASCADE pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. GRIPREST increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.Technical ice climbing tool.Features:Curve and geometry of shaft make for smooth, efficient swinging and solid, precise placementsNo-slip dual-density grip for climbing performanceGRIPREST increases comfort when climbing, allowing the tool to be used leashless. Can be removed for plunging in snow.Included CASCADE pick is designed for maximum efficiently and penetration in all types of ice; beveled for
Description of Petzl Quark Hammer Ice AxeThe QUARK is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged CASCADE pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. GRIPREST increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.Technical ice climbing tool.Features:Curve and geometry of shaft make for smooth, efficient swinging and solid, precise placementsNo-slip dual-density grip for climbing performanceGRIPREST increases comfort when climbing, allowing the tool to be used leashless. Can be removed for plunging in snow.Included CASCADE pick is designed for maximum efficiently and penetration in all types of ice; beveled fo
ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL. Mini Jug Holds 5 Pack by Metolius has 5 random shapes within the given hold size and includes hardwear. ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL.
ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL. FEATURES of the Modular Holds 5 Pack by Metolius Great variety of medium-sized shapes 12 different set styles available Attaches with 3/8 in. socket-head cap screws and includes mounting hardware Available as a specific set of 5 or random sets of 15 or 30 holds
Description of Falcon Guides Colorado Ice Climber’s GuideThe first comprehensive guide to ice climbing throughout Colorado.Features:Written by Cameron Burns240 Pages
Besides being one of the lightest half ropes on the market, Petzl Dragonfly 8.2mm Climbing Rope is also durable, with over a third of its fiber content in the sheath. Ideal for ice and alpine climbing, mountaineering and wandering rock routes.
ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL. Yet another way to get the specific shapes you need in larger quantities; i.e. – if you wanted a bunch of small-footprint – very positive holds for a steep woody – you could order a 15 or 30 pack of Mini Jugs. Bulk sets contain a random selection of shapes. FEATURES of the Macros Holds 2 Pack by Metolius Various big shapes Includes mounting hardware Available as a set of 2 holds packaged on an HDPE card or 5 holds packaged in a box
Description of Mammut Alpine Light Climbing HarnessMinimalist designed alpine harness made of high strength webbing. The special wide-narrow weaving technology saves on weight at places where comfort is not needed, but offers maximum comfort with a width of 62 mm in high-load areas.Features:Type of harness Sitzgurt Closure system Click buckle Sizing of harnesses S-L Weight in g 280 Hypalon skeleton for increased support Possibility to attach an ice-screw racking carabiner Costly wide-narrow weaving technique with varying width from 30 mm to 62 mm Possible to be put on over crampons/skies Ultra-light alpine harness Easy on/off through plastic click buckles Click-buckle for ideal handling of the hip belt Functional drop seat clip buckle and haul loop Optimally suitable for Classical Alpinism Suitable for Via Ferrata, Education / Rental
Designed for ice and mixed climbers, the Arcteryx X350a Climbing Harness is a fully adjustable harness with three integrated Ice Clipper slots and four injection molded gear loops. WST construction, with thermoformed tie in point, provides universal support and incredible comfort across the entire harness structure. Three self-locking buckles with added drop seat feature provide quick entry and/or exit. Stashing in its own storage bag, a haul loop and belay loop provide climbing convenience and performance. Wear safety markers on the tie points help to keep you climbing smart.
This is a moral dilemma often confronted by mountain climbers and I was interested in knowing what Immanuel Kant would do in this situation:
You are climbing an ice mountain with your partner. Suddenly your partner cannot hold on to the rope anymore. You can either caught the rope off and kill him. But if you don’t cut it off than you will both fall and die.
Using the categorical imperative, what would kant do in this situation?
I don’t think he’d be able to decide, to be honest (he did, after all, invent the inquiring murderer scenario). For, to cut the rope would be to treat your friend as a means, which is always morally wrong and impermissible. Yet, to not cut the rope would be to destroy both of your rational natures. I think he would have such a difficult time deciding that the latter scenario would result – namely, they would both plummet to their death because of his indecision. Nonetheless, it’s probable that he would cut the rope, yet be aware of his immoral deed and subsequently suffer a great amount of guilt for it.
Description of Mountaineers Books Rock Climbing Anchors: A Comprehensive GuideCertified rock guide Craig Luebben is so attuned to the finer points of rock climbing anchors that he used his engineering background to invent his own type of climbing protection, the Big Bro. Now, in Rock Climbing Anchors, he presents the very latest in anchoring theory and techniques, including the pros and cons of specific gear placements and anchor rigging strategies. For climbers who want to creat safe and efficient anchors for top-roping, rappelling, mountaineering, sport climbing and trad climbing: Rock Climbing Anchors is the source. Features:Written by Craig Luebben256 PagesPaperbackFor intermediate to advanced climbersAuthor is an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) certified rock guide and instructorLearning exercises reinforce key skillsProper gear placement and anchor rigging shown in more than 300 photos
Description of Mountaineers Books Alpine Climbing: Techniques to Take You HigherThis intermediate-level guide addresses tools, skills, and techniques used in alpine terrain including rock, snow, ice, and glaciers at moderate altitude-approximately 5000 meters (16,000 feet) and lower. The technical protection systems are covered, of course. But 30 years of alpine climbing experience has convinced the authors that mastery-and safety-lie in the far more difficult task of knowing exactly which techniques to use, where and when. Therefore, they teach step-by-step decision-making skills, providing scenarios, checklists, and self-posed questions to inform the decision process. Alpine Climbing assumes some prior knowledge, primarily in rock climbing skills and techniques. Basic knots, belaying, rappelling, building rock anchors, leading, placing rock protection, and movement skills on rock: variations of these skills that are of particular value in the alpine environment are addres
Description of Mountaineers Books Ice & Mixed Climbing: Modern TechniquesFrom one of the most prominent names in the sport today comes a comprehensive instruction guide to ice and mixed climbing. Will Gadd presents the same cutting-edge techniques and veteran wisdom he imparts to those who atttend his clinics. It’s an inspiring blend of real life stories, illustrated in vibrant color photography by Roger Chayer.Features:Written by Will GaddPhotography by Roger Chayer208 PagesPaperbackDetailed instruction on basic techniques including the swing (ice axe), the kick (footwork), and putting it all togetherHow to read ice – selecting your line and climbing it safelyBasic and advanced drytool techniques and tactics for mixed climbingGear selection for pure ice climbings and radical mixed routesTraining for winter climbing, both in the gym and on ice
Description of Mountaineers Books Washington Ice: A Climbing GuideGym climbing has evolved into a sport in its own right and Matt Burbach has been there to spur it on. He established, developed, and directed the Indoor Climbing School of Earth Treks Climbing Center in Maryland, the largest climbing gym on the east coast. Now he presents the same techniques and training exercises honed by coaching hundreds of climbers.Burbach covers all aspects of indoor rock climbing in detail, including what to look for in a gym, analysis of equipment and how it works, proper top-rope systems management, and movement technique. More advanced indoor climbers will appreciate chapters on topics such as indoor leading, performance, competition climbing, and bouldering. For outdoor rock climbers now training in gyms, this guide aids the “reverse” transition from climbing on real rock to pulling on plastic. Throughout, Burbach not only demonstrates the proper techniques and skills, but goes one
Description of Arcteryx X350a Climbing HarnessDesigned for ice and mixed climbers, the X350a is a fully adjustable harness with integrated Ice Clipper slots and four injection molded gear loops. Lightweight and super supple, this harness is a four season specialist.Features:WST: load is evenly supported across entire harness structureThree Ice Clipper slotsThree self locking bucklesWear Safety Markers on tie in pointsFour injection molded reversible/removable gear loopsHaul loopBelay loopStorage BoxElasticized leg loopsDrop seat7075 T6 Aluminum Anodized buckleSchoeller DynamicSpacemeshType 66 Nylon webbingPolyurethane gear loops
Description of Petzl Elios Climbing Helmet This low profile helmet is easy to adjust, comfortable and well-ventilated. The improved dial adjustment system is quick and easy to use, even when wearing the helmet. Using a combination of shell and foam technology, it’s perfect for rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, canyoning and caving.Lightweight and durable helmetFeatures:Injection molded ABS shell is both lightweight and durableExpanded polystyrene liner absorbs impactsAdjustable chinstrap, nape height and headband for an extremely comfortable fitEasy-to-use molded adjustment wheel quickly dials in the headband size, even while the helmet is being wornChin strap position adjusts forward or backward and redesigned side-release chin strap buckle is positioned off to the side for comfortNarrow polyester webbing straps offer improved comfortHeadlamp attachment with 4 optimally placed clipsCompatible with VIZION face shieldInjection molded ABS shellExpanded
Description of Black Diamond Blizzard Climbing HarnessThe Blizzard is specialized for hard winter climbing, from drytooling testpieces to one-day pushes on alpine walls. This fully adjustable harness is constructed from hydrophobic foam laminate, with a thermoformed bullhorn waistbelt to keep your back intact and padded leg loops to keep the circulation flowing at hanging belays. It includes an Ice Clipper and nine Ice Clipper slots for maximum racking speed. The Blizzard also features four gear loops and a haul loop.Features:Weight: 485 g (1 lb 1 oz)Fully adjustable harnessHydrophobic foam laminateThermoformed bullhorn waistbeltIncludes an Ice Clipper and 9 Ice Clipper slotsFour gear loopsHaul loop
Description of Petzl Meteor III Climbing HelmetUltralight helmetUltralight and ventilated climbing helmet.With the METEOR III, one can focus on the activity.Features:Easy to forget it is being worn Lightweight, Excellent ventilation, twice the ventilation surface area of the previous model Comfortable internal foam Adjustable headband circumference Chinstrap buckle lateral position4 headlamp clips Integrated inserts for attaching the VIZION ice climbing face shield. Headband height adjusts at the nape87cm of ventilation surafce area
Description of Mountaineers Books Climbing: From Gym to CragBuilding Skills for Real RockGetting strong and learning to climb hard routes in the gym doesn’t prepare you for climbing outdoors where anything can happen. Climbing: From Gym to Crag is written by experts who teach climbing for a living. These long-time instructors have a clear, practical understanding of the different skills and techniques needed to go from climbing in the gym to climbing on real rock. From building anchors to leading and self-rescue, they’ll teach you how to make the transition safely.Features:Written by S. Peter Lewis and Dan CauthornSurpasses other training guides with a new level of instruction, clarity, and safetyKey Transition Exercises teach you the vital skills on the groundIllustrated with more than 150 photosComplements any indoor or outdoor climbing course192 Pages
A climbing and mountaineering harness with adjustable leg loops, the Petzl Adjama Climbing Harness features easy-to-adjust leg loops, making the Adjama great for ice climbing and mountaineering in addition to cragging and route climbing. Low bulk and flexible rear equipment loops prevent the waistbelt from interfering while wearing a pack.
Description of C.A.M.P. Scorpio V-ThreaderLightweight hook for threading Abalakov anchors and removing ice from the tube of an ice screw. 24 cm.Features:Ice Climbing, AlpinismPlastic cap slides down to prevent unwanted snaggingFits inside ice screws for clearing plugs
Description of SuperTopo Alaska ClimbingWhether looking to climb Denali?s West Buttress or scale a wall in the Ruth Gorge, Alaska Climbing is the book to take you there. Author Joseph Puryear?s result of 15 years of Alaska Range climbing and research is the most detailed information ever for the region?s best climbs. Included are routes of all abilities from moderate snow climbs to the difficult test-pieces of the range. Each climb gets detailed photo-diagrams, in-depth strategy, camping info, retreat beta, and first ascent history. Detailed color topos and maps bring these climbs to life.Features:Written by Joseph Puryear30 routesDifficulty: Easy snow, 5.8, A1 to steep ice, 5.11, A3 Most accurate & detailed topos ever!First ascent historyUSGS maps for each climbOver 150 recent color photos, from the area?s top mountaineering photographersCritical information on how to stay alive in the Alaska RangeDetailed approach and descent betaSuggestions for other area c
Description of Mountaineers Books Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic SkillsCraig Luebben has taught rock climbing basics to hundreds of clients and has conducted self-rescue clinics across the U.S. Here he presents the most common foot positions, hand grips, and body positions and how to use them precisely, from the smear to the crimp to the twistlock. Going beyond static moves, he emphasizes a dynamic style of movement for the greatest climbing efficiency-a style that makes the most of your strength and your time on the rock. With an emphasis on safety and how to stay within your abilities, Luebben teaches how to evaluate potential hazards and then avoid them. Topics addressed include: risk management, face climbing, crack climbing, gear, knots, anchors, belaying, toproping, sport climbing, trad climbing, multi-pitch free climbs, rappelling, aid climbing, bouldering, training, and self-rescue. Craig Luebben has been guiding professionally for more than twenty years. The autho
The Petzl Quark Ice Tool is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged Cascade pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. Griprest increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.
Description of C.A.M.P. Corsa Ice AxeThe lightest ice axe in the world! Another instance of C.A.M.P. beating its own lightweight record. 7075 aluminum alloy B-rated head and shaft. Not suitable for ice climbing or mixed terrain. Absolutely perfect for low angle glacier travel, ski mountaineering and adventure racing.
Description of Petzl Quark Adze Ice AxeThe QUARK is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged CASCADE pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. GRIPREST increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.Technical ice climbing tool.Features:Curve and geometry of shaft make for smooth, efficient swinging and solid, precise placementsNo-slip dual-density grip for climbing performanceGRIPREST increases comfort when climbing, allowing the tool to be used leashless. Can be removed for plunging in snow.Included CASCADE pick is designed for maximum efficiently and penetration in all types of ice; beveled for
Description of Petzl Quark Hammer Ice AxeThe QUARK is the classic all-around ice tool for vertical ice and mixed climbing. A balanced, smooth swing and aggressive pick design have made this tool the standard by which all other ice tools are judged. The curved shaft offers ample clearance for mantling and hooking cauliflower ice formations. The included forged CASCADE pick tapered for excellent penetration in even brittle ice. It is easy to remove once placed. GRIPREST increases climbing comfort and makes possible to climb leashless. Available in adze and hammer versions.Technical ice climbing tool.Features:Curve and geometry of shaft make for smooth, efficient swinging and solid, precise placementsNo-slip dual-density grip for climbing performanceGRIPREST increases comfort when climbing, allowing the tool to be used leashless. Can be removed for plunging in snow.Included CASCADE pick is designed for maximum efficiently and penetration in all types of ice; beveled fo
Description of Falcon Guides Colorado Ice Climber’s GuideThe first comprehensive guide to ice climbing throughout Colorado.Features:Written by Cameron Burns240 Pages
Besides being one of the lightest half ropes on the market, Petzl Dragonfly 8.2mm Climbing Rope is also durable, with over a third of its fiber content in the sheath. Ideal for ice and alpine climbing, mountaineering and wandering rock routes.
ALL CLIMBING SALES ARE FINAL. Use the Stinger III Climbing Rope by Beal on your next onsight attempt or on surly – long routes when you don’t want a heavy rope holding you back. As one of the lightest single ropes on the market – you’ll hardly feel the Stinger III as you reach to clip the anchors. FEATURES of the Stinger III Climbing Rope by Beal An incredible number of falls for its weight and so smooth running that it results in an appreciable increase in energy when clipping. SPECIFICATIONS: Type: Single 9.4 mm DryCoVer or GoldenDry Number of UIAA Falls BEAL Guaranty: 7 Impact Force: 8.2 kN (1843 lbf) Impact force Laboratory: 7.60-7.80 kN Number of UIAA Falls Laboratory: 8-9 Number of bobbins: 40 Elongation at 1st Fall: 37% Weight (WT/M): 59 g/m Length: 60 m or 70 m Sheath slippage: 0 mm Static elongation: 9 -5 % Sheath percentage: 38%
Description of Mammut Alpine Light Climbing HarnessMinimalist designed alpine harness made of high strength webbing. The special wide-narrow weaving technology saves on weight at places where comfort is not needed, but offers maximum comfort with a width of 62 mm in high-load areas.Features:Type of harness Sitzgurt Closure system Click buckle Sizing of harnesses S-L Weight in g 280 Hypalon skeleton for increased support Possibility to attach an ice-screw racking carabiner Costly wide-narrow weaving technique with varying width from 30 mm to 62 mm Possible to be put on over crampons/skies Ultra-light alpine harness Easy on/off through plastic click buckles Click-buckle for ideal handling of the hip belt Functional drop seat clip buckle and haul loop Optimally suitable for Classical Alpinism Suitable for Via Ferrata, Education / Rental
Designed for ice and mixed climbers, the Arcteryx X350a Climbing Harness is a fully adjustable harness with three integrated Ice Clipper slots and four injection molded gear loops. WST construction, with thermoformed tie in point, provides universal support and incredible comfort across the entire harness structure. Three self-locking buckles with added drop seat feature provide quick entry and/or exit. Stashing in its own storage bag, a haul loop and belay loop provide climbing convenience and performance. Wear safety markers on the tie points help to keep you climbing smart.
There is a ride at Disney World called the Tower of Terror, and on the weekend of January 28, 2006, my four children, even the twin five- year-olds, begged me to go on that ride over and over again.
Housed in a re-created aging Hollywood hotel, the ride begins where you climb into a creaky elevator that snakes its way through the creepy premises. An electrical storm kicks up, and right on cue something goes wrong with the power. The elevator in the eerie hotel suddenly drops. The descent is so rapid, so sudden, that it almost sucks your diaphragm up into your throat, and right before the drop there is a moment where you are literally suspended in air, too stunned to scream. It feels as if speed, motion, light, and time literally freeze.
We must have taken that ride a half dozen times. And then the feeling returned the following morning as I rolled over in my king-sized hotel bed. The day before, the kids and I had been to the Animal Kingdom in Disney World. We’d marveled at the African safari ride, ridden rapids in Asia, and gotten soaked as we howled our way down the man-made white water. After an early dinner we’d rented a pedal bike with another family and laughed until we cried as we raced other bikers around the lake, while fireworks from Epcot exploded overhead.
Tucking four kids into bed that night, I silently congratulated myself on a good weekend. I’d come to Disney to shoot a pilot TV show for Family Fun. We’d spent two days on set and then the rest of the time had been the kids’ reward: combing the parks for Disney character autographs for the twins and thrill-seeking rides for the older two. We’d planned to fly back home on Sunday and get ready for school.
Toting around four children by myself was not new. That weekend my husband, Bob Woodruff, the newly anointed co-anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, was thousands of miles away in Iraq. We spoke to him briefly that day, in between the safari and the rapids ride. He and his crew had had a tiring day covering the Palestinian elections before flying on to Baghdad in advance of President Bush’s State of the Union address. The plan was to bolster ABC’s Iraq coverage at an important moment in the war. The pace was blistering, common to any foreign correspondent who must keep moving and file stories from faraway places in time zones eight to twelve hours ahead of our own.
Bob and his crew were operating on an aggressive schedule with only a few hours’ sleep each night. As usual, the itinerary was punishing. Get in, get the stories about the Iraqi military, anchor from Baghdad during Bush’s address, do some pieces for Good Morning America, and, on the way back, try to finalize an interview with the King of Jordan in Amman, the Jordanian capital.
Our conversations with him from Disney World had been short and tough. The cell service in Iraq was spotty and the time difference was frustrating. We had one conversation midday Saturday, as he and his crew were going to bed in a military compound somewhere in Baghdad. He exhaustedly mumbled something about getting much-needed sleep the next day. Exactly what he said didn’t register with me at the time. My daughter Cathryn was determined to buy a puka shell necklace. With my shoulder cradling the cell phone, I negotiated some cash from my wallet while keeping an eye on the twins, who were dangerously close to a fence in front of a bamboo grove.
Later, Bob would swear that he told me has was going to embed with the military for some exercises, while I would swear he said only that his team was going to relax for the day. At the end of our conversation I passed the cell phone around so the kids could say hi. This was common practice in our house — good nights, kisses, homework help, all via satellite. When your father covers news around the world, the phone becomes a primary communication tool, for better or worse.
“Do you feel safe there?” I asked absentmindedly, collecting the change from Cathryn. “Are you okay?” It was a stupid rhetorical question, made more absurd by the fact that we were currently standing in Disney World, “the happiest place on earth,” while he was somewhere in the most violent place on the planet.
“I do. We’re surrounded by the military. It’s fine,” he reassured me. He and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, couldn’t know that the elevator was about to drop. In the ocher-colored sands on a godforsaken highway outside Baghdad, they were about to enter their own Tower of Terror.
That night I called the front desk to request a 7 a.m. wake-up call. With the bigger kids sleeping next to the twins, perhaps I could slip downstairs the next morning and take a quick swim in the pool before breakfast. Even though it was January in Florida, the water was invigorating and it would be a great way to start our last day in Orlando.
In a few days Bob would be home and we’d be a family again. His new appointment as co-anchor had set a grueling pace for the past month, even the weekends. His days had been crammed with photo shoots, press conferences, and ad campaigns. The new program with Bob and Elizabeth Vargas was committed to go to the story, to have one anchor on the road and one in the studio as often as possible. Bob relished the challenge. It was a new era at ABC News. There was an excitement at the broadcast that was a welcome tonic after the months of sorrow following Peter Jennings’s illness and then death from lung cancer. Bob and Elizabeth would give the news department something to rally around, after feeling like a ship without its beloved captain.
“Just get through January,” I had told Bob, as he left for the Middle East on that fateful trip. It had become a kind of mantra for us after the announcement, as he shot out of the gate as a newly minted co-anchor.
“I really don’t want to leave you guys,” he said, as he leaned into the door frame of my home office, rolling suitcase in hand. He looked exhausted, distracted, and not eager to get back on a plane to return to Iraq for the sixth or seventh time in three years. The town car was already idling in the driveway.
“Just get through January,” I repeated, “and life will take on a more normal pattern. We’ll have weekends again, and we can be a family.”
He reeled off everything he’d packed, hoping I’d figure out what he might have missed. This was familiar territory, this nonchalant leaving. It should have had more weight, but to give it any more importance would have jinxed it in my mind. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gaza Strip: give him a kiss as always, treat it like a normal morning, and he will come home safe and sound. I had a work deadline that day, and the sooner I got him on the road the faster I could finish my task.
Frankly, I didn’t think a lot about Bob over the Disney weekend either. The days had been full and the kids eager to pack in as much as possible. Bob drew sustenance from being on the road; the stories, the energy, the adrenaline rejuvenated him. He loved being a journalist, and that meant leaving us for stretches of time. We may not have always liked it, but we had made peace with it as a family. Periods of being intensely together were interlaced with periods of being apart.
As I rolled over and turned off the bedside light that Saturday night in Disney World, I thought we would all rise to this new challenge of Bob’s career as well. “Co-anchor.” It was good and bad. Good because he had reached the pinnacle of his profession, a plum job in television news, a successor to one of broadcast journalism’s icons. Bad because we would see him even less. Our definition of family time would need some revising.
The Sunday morning phone call pierced the quiet and I jolted awake to a bedspread of floral and chintz in a totally unfamiliar room. It took me a second to register where I was. Ah, right, I thought. Disney World. The wake-up call.
I rolled over and picked up the receiver. “Thank you,” I said, and lazily began to set it back on the cradle. I had decided to lie there for a few more minutes before I snuck out the door.
“Lee?” A faint voice came from the receiver, now almost back in place. Geesh, I thought. Personalized wake-up calls, how very Disney. I brought the phone back to my ear to thank the man.
“Lee, it’s David Westin,” the voice said.
He had my immediate attention. My brain fired signals to my body as I bolted up on the pillows. The president of ABC News does not make social calls to employees’ wives at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, even a co-anchor’s wife. I licked my lips and swallowed. My mouth was dry.
“We’ve been trying to reach you,” he said, in a slow measured voice. He stopped for a beat as if to gauge how he would say his next line. “Bob has been wounded in Iraq.”
I sat straight up, trying to process the information I was hearing. Every synapse in my brain was firing. “Wounded?” I said to David Westin, as calmly as I could. “What do you mean wounded?”
“He was on an embed outside of Baghdad riding with the Iraqi army. We don’t have a lot of information right now, Lee, but we are getting it as fast as we can. We are getting him the best care possible.”
“David.” I interrupted him. “Is my husband alive?”
“Yes, Lee. Bob is alive, but we believe he may have taken shrapnel to the brain.”
I tried to digest what that meant and couldn’t comprehend it. He was alive; I’d start with that. The rest was gravy.
“What was an anchor doing on a military exercise?” I asked, voice rising. “The last thing I knew he was doing a story about an ice cream shop in Baghdad. I thought they were sleeping!” My mind grasped for facts, searching for what I knew or thought I knew. I was back in the Tower of Terror.
You can’t know how you would behave in a crisis until it drops out of the sky and knocks you down like a bandit: stealing your future, robbing you of your dreams, and mocking anything that resembles certainty. Sudden tragic events and even slow-burning disasters teach us more about ourselves than most of us care to know.
I felt the panic in my voice as I spoke to David Westin, and slow tears streamed down my face. At the same time, I began to feel a cool steely calm seep into my brain. It slowly formed a cocoon in which I could think and react rationally, disembodied from my emotions. In the months to come, this cocoon would allow me to handle the very public nature of this crisis, synthesize information, deal with teams of doctors, communicate with family, and take care of the business at hand without collapsing into a mass of spineless marrow.
For now, that steely calm began to morph into the part of me that became “the General.” The General would make important decisions, hold things together for the troops, lead the charge, and — most important for our team — ensure we didn’t lose a single man on the battlefield. The General was beginning to take over.
“Lee, we have a plane waiting to take you and the kids home to Westchester,” David said. “You just have to tell us what time. It’s fueled up and ready to go.”
I felt I needed to keep him on the line for some reason. I wasn’t ready to start making decisions. I didn’t want to take my first step into this new world. I wanted to relish my old life for just a minute more. All four of my children were blissfully sound asleep beyond my door. Inside my room their secure little lives were being hacked apart while they dreamed, oblivious to the chaos.
“Okay,” I said in a small voice. “Tell me what you know. Please tell me what happened.”
“Bob and the crew were traveling on a road in Taji on a routine ride,” David said. “Bob was in an Iraqi armored vehicle. We believe he was doing a stand-up at the time, and they were hit by an IED [improvised explosive device] in an orchestrated attack on the convoy. There was gunfire after that, but neither man was hit. Bob and the cameraman, Doug Vogt, have been taken by helicopter to Baghdad and are going into surgery.
“Apparently he asked Vinnie, his producer, if he was alive; he did come to.” David spoke coolly and rationally, but he was clearly rattled.
So he spoke, I thought. He spoke. This is going to be okay. The General in my brain dictated that nothing less than recovery would be acceptable. There were no other options. Bob would be okay. He was always okay. He was lucky and bright and hardworking and a good man. Things like this didn’t happen to good people. I could feel hope in my heart, on its simplest level, as clear and bright as the streak of a shooting star. Hope is the most basic human emotion. It was the hope that wives have had since the days of the caveman, when they sent their mates out past the campfire to fight marauding tribes. Hope was good. It was a brain-stem reaction. The General in my brain moved hope into the front lines, preparing for the next maneuver.
“Lee,” David gently reminded me, “there are security people on the ground to escort you out of there. The plane is standing by; you just need to tell us what you want to do. Let us know what time you want to go. When you get home, we are working on getting you to Germany, where Bob will be transported.”
For one moment the silliest thought flashed through my mind. I thought about how much my kids had wanted to ride the Soarin’ attraction and see the rest of Epcot. The part of my brain that was still in shock weighed the option of not ruining their perfectly planned morning for about a tenth of a second before I clicked into action.
“David, let me process this,” I said. “I have to call Bob’s folks and my family, and then I have to wake up the kids and pack. And I need to think. Let me just get outside of this hotel room so I can talk, and then I’ll call you back as soon as possible.”
Lee and Bob Woodruff live in Westchester County, New York, with their four children. Bob Woodruff was named co-anchor of ABC’s World News in December 2005. On January 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, Bob Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq. Lee Woodruff is a public relations executive and freelance writer.
For more information, please visit www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org or join the nonfiction e-newsletter by visiting www.rh-newsletters.com.Orlando, Florida, January 28, 2006
There is a ride at Disney World called the Tower of Terror, and on the weekend of January 28, 2006, my four children, even the twin five- year-olds, begged me to go on that ride over and over again.
Housed in a re-created aging Hollywood hotel, the ride begins where you climb into a creaky elevator that snakes its way through the creepy premises. An electrical storm kicks up, and right on cue something goes wrong with the power. The elevator in the eerie hotel suddenly drops. The descent is so rapid, so sudden, that it almost sucks your diaphragm up into your throat, and right before the drop there is a moment where you are literally suspended in air, too stunned to scream. It feels as if speed, motion, light, and time literally freeze.
We must have taken that ride a half dozen times. And then the feeling returned the following morning as I rolled over in my king-sized hotel bed. The day before, the kids and I had been to the Animal Kingdom in Disney World. We’d marveled at the African safari ride, ridden rapids in Asia, and gotten soaked as we howled our way down the man-made white water. After an early dinner we’d rented a pedal bike with another family and laughed until we cried as we raced other bikers around the lake, while fireworks from Epcot exploded overhead.
Tucking four kids into bed that night, I silently congratulated myself on a good weekend. I’d come to Disney to shoot a pilot TV show for Family Fun. We’d spent two days on set and then the rest of the time had been the kids’ reward: combing the parks for Disney character autographs for the twins and thrill-seeking rides for the older two. We’d planned to fly back home on Sunday and get ready for school.
Toting around four children by myself was not new. That weekend my husband, Bob Woodruff, the newly anointed co-anchor of ABC’s World News Tonight, was thousands of miles away in Iraq. We spoke to him briefly that day, in between the safari and the rapids ride. He and his crew had had a tiring day covering the Palestinian elections before flying on to Baghdad in advance of President Bush’s State of the Union address. The plan was to bolster ABC’s Iraq coverage at an important moment in the war. The pace was blistering, common to any foreign correspondent who must keep moving and file stories from faraway places in time zones eight to twelve hours ahead of our own.
Bob and his crew were operating on an aggressive schedule with only a few hours’ sleep each night. As usual, the itinerary was punishing. Get in, get the stories about the Iraqi military, anchor from Baghdad during Bush’s address, do some pieces for Good Morning America, and, on the way back, try to finalize an interview with the King of Jordan in Amman, the Jordanian capital.
Our conversations with him from Disney World had been short and tough. The cell service in Iraq was spotty and the time difference was frustrating. We had one conversation midday Saturday, as he and his crew were going to bed in a military compound somewhere in Baghdad. He exhaustedly mumbled something about getting much-needed sleep the next day. Exactly what he said didn’t register with me at the time. My daughter Cathryn was determined to buy a puka shell necklace. With my shoulder cradling the cell phone, I negotiated some cash from my wallet while keeping an eye on the twins, who were dangerously close to a fence in front of a bamboo grove.
Later, Bob would swear that he told me has was going to embed with the military for some exercises, while I would swear he said only that his team was going to relax for the day. At the end of our conversation I passed the cell phone around so the kids could say hi. This was common practice in our house — good nights, kisses, homework help, all via satellite. When your father covers news around the world, the phone becomes a primary communication tool, for better or worse.
“Do you feel safe there?” I asked absentmindedly, collecting the change from Cathryn. “Are you okay?” It was a stupid rhetorical question, made more absurd by the fact that we were currently standing in Disney World, “the happiest place on earth,” while he was somewhere in the most violent place on the planet.
“I do. We’re surrounded by the military. It’s fine,” he reassured me. He and his cameraman, Doug Vogt, couldn’t know that the elevator was about to drop. In the ocher-colored sands on a godforsaken highway outside Baghdad, they were about to enter their own Tower of Terror.
That night I called the front desk to request a 7 a.m. wake-up call. With the bigger kids sleeping next to the twins, perhaps I could slip downstairs the next morning and take a quick swim in the pool before breakfast. Even though it was January in Florida, the water was invigorating and it would be a great way to start our last day in Orlando.
In a few days Bob would be home and we’d be a family again. His new appointment as co-anchor had set a grueling pace for the past month, even the weekends. His days had been crammed with photo shoots, press conferences, and ad campaigns. The new program with Bob and Elizabeth Vargas was committed to go to the story, to have one anchor on the road and one in the studio as often as possible. Bob relished the challenge. It was a new era at ABC News. There was an excitement at the broadcast that was a welcome tonic after the months of sorrow following Peter Jennings’s illness and then death from lung cancer. Bob and Elizabeth would give the news department something to rally around, after feeling like a ship without its beloved captain.
“Just get through January,” I had told Bob, as he left for the Middle East on that fateful trip. It had become a kind of mantra for us after the announcement, as he shot out of the gate as a newly minted co-anchor.
“I really don’t want to leave you guys,” he said, as he leaned into the door frame of my home office, rolling suitcase in hand. He looked exhausted, distracted, and not eager to get back on a plane to return to Iraq for the sixth or seventh time in three years. The town car was already idling in the driveway.
“Just get through January,” I repeated, “and life will take on a more normal pattern. We’ll have weekends again, and we can be a family.”
He reeled off everything he’d packed, hoping I’d figure out what he might have missed. This was familiar territory, this nonchalant leaving. It should have had more weight, but to give it any more importance would have jinxed it in my mind. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Gaza Strip: give him a kiss as always, treat it like a normal morning, and he will come home safe and sound. I had a work deadline that day, and the sooner I got him on the road the faster I could finish my task.
Frankly, I didn’t think a lot about Bob over the Disney weekend either. The days had been full and the kids eager to pack in as much as possible. Bob drew sustenance from being on the road; the stories, the energy, the adrenaline rejuvenated him. He loved being a journalist, and that meant leaving us for stretches of time. We may not have always liked it, but we had made peace with it as a family. Periods of being intensely together were interlaced with periods of being apart.
As I rolled over and turned off the bedside light that Saturday night in Disney World, I thought we would all rise to this new challenge of Bob’s career as well. “Co-anchor.” It was good and bad. Good because he had reached the pinnacle of his profession, a plum job in television news, a successor to one of broadcast journalism’s icons. Bad because we would see him even less. Our definition of family time would need some revising.
The Sunday morning phone call pierced the quiet and I jolted awake to a bedspread of floral and chintz in a totally unfamiliar room. It took me a second to register where I was. Ah, right, I thought. Disney World. The wake-up call.
I rolled over and picked up the receiver. “Thank you,” I said, and lazily began to set it back on the cradle. I had decided to lie there for a few more minutes before I snuck out the door.
“Lee?” A faint voice came from the receiver, now almost back in place. Geesh, I thought. Personalized wake-up calls, how very Disney. I brought the phone back to my ear to thank the man.
“Lee, it’s David Westin,” the voice said.
He had my immediate attention. My brain fired signals to my body as I bolted up on the pillows. The president of ABC News does not make social calls to employees’ wives at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, even a co-anchor’s wife. I licked my lips and swallowed. My mouth was dry.
“We’ve been trying to reach you,” he said, in a slow measured voice. He stopped for a beat as if to gauge how he would say his next line. “Bob has been wounded in Iraq.”
I sat straight up, trying to process the information I was hearing. Every synapse in my brain was firing. “Wounded?” I said to David Westin, as calmly as I could. “What do you mean wounded?”
“He was on an embed outside of Baghdad riding with the Iraqi army. We don’t have a lot of information right now, Lee, but we are getting it as fast as we can. We are getting him the best care possible.”
“David.” I interrupted him. “Is my husband alive?”
“Yes, Lee. Bob is alive, but we believe he may have taken shrapnel to the brain.”
I tried to digest what that meant and couldn’t comprehend it. He was alive; I’d start with that. The rest was gravy.
“What was an anchor doing on a military exercise?” I asked, voice rising. “The last thing I knew he was doing a story about an ice cream shop in Baghdad. I thought they were sleeping!” My mind grasped for facts, searching for what I knew or thought I knew. I was back in the Tower of Terror.
You can’t know how you would behave in a crisis until it drops out of the sky and knocks you down like a bandit: stealing your future, robbing you of your dreams, and mocking anything that resembles certainty. Sudden tragic events and even slow-burning disasters teach us more about ourselves than most of us care to know.
I felt the panic in my voice as I spoke to David Westin, and slow tears streamed down my face. At the same time, I began to feel a cool steely calm seep into my brain. It slowly formed a cocoon in which I could think and react rationally, disembodied from my emotions. In the months to come, this cocoon would allow me to handle the very public nature of this crisis, synthesize information, deal with teams of doctors, communicate with family, and take care of the business at hand without collapsing into a mass of spineless marrow.
For now, that steely calm began to morph into the part of me that became “the General.” The General would make important decisions, hold things together for the troops, lead the charge, and — most important for our team — ensure we didn’t lose a single man on the battlefield. The General was beginning to take over.
“Lee, we have a plane waiting to take you and the kids home to Westchester,” David said. “You just have to tell us what time. It’s fueled up and ready to go.”
I felt I needed to keep him on the line for some reason. I wasn’t ready to start making decisions. I didn’t want to take my first step into this new world. I wanted to relish my old life for just a minute more. All four of my children were blissfully sound asleep beyond my door. Inside my room their secure little lives were being hacked apart while they dreamed, oblivious to the chaos.
“Okay,” I said in a small voice. “Tell me what you know. Please tell me what happened.”
“Bob and the crew were traveling on a road in Taji on a routine ride,” David said. “Bob was in an Iraqi armored vehicle. We believe he was doing a stand-up at the time, and they were hit by an IED [improvised explosive device] in an orchestrated attack on the convoy. There was gunfire after that, but neither man was hit. Bob and the cameraman, Doug Vogt, have been taken by helicopter to Baghdad and are going into surgery.
“Apparently he asked Vinnie, his producer, if he was alive; he did come to.” David spoke coolly and rationally, but he was clearly rattled.
So he spoke, I thought. He spoke. This is going to be okay. The General in my brain dictated that nothing less than recovery would be acceptable. There were no other options. Bob would be okay. He was always okay. He was lucky and bright and hardworking and a good man. Things like this didn’t happen to good people. I could feel hope in my heart, on its simplest level, as clear and bright as the streak of a shooting star. Hope is the most basic human emotion. It was the hope that wives have had since the days of the caveman, when they sent their mates out past the campfire to fight marauding tribes. Hope was good. It was a brain-stem reaction. The General in my brain moved hope into the front lines, preparing for the next maneuver.
“Lee,” David gently reminded me, “there are security people on the ground to escort you out of there. The plane is standing by; you just need to tell us what you want to do. Let us know what time you want to go. When you get home, we are working on getting you to Germany, where Bob will be transported.”
For one moment the silliest thought flashed through my mind. I thought about how much my kids had wanted to ride the Soarin’ attraction and see the rest of Epcot. The part of my brain that was still in shock weighed the option of not ruining their perfectly planned morning for about a tenth of a second before I clicked into action.
“David, let me process this,” I said. “I have to call Bob’s folks and my family, and then I have to wake up the kids and pack. And I need to think. Let me just get outside of this hotel room so I can talk, and then I’ll call you back as soon as possible.”
Lee and Bob Woodruff live in Westchester County, New York, with their four children. Bob Woodruff was named co-anchor of ABC’s World News in December 2005. On January 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces, Bob Woodruff was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq. Lee Woodruff is a public relations executive and freelance writer.
About the Author
For more information, please visit www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org or join the nonfiction e-newsletter by visiting www.rh-newsletters.com.
The Art of Rock Climbing: . . . feelin’ nnnnnnnnnnICE !
Description of Mammut Goblin Climbing ShoesState of the art Velcro shoes for the most difficult climbing routes and bouldering.Features:Soft anatomically cut midsole for increased edging powerSuper Sticky vibram XSV rubber soleHeavily down-turned last for power at the toeSynthetic leather for less stretchExclusive Mammut molded soleVelcro closure for easy entry and escapeModel last Radical ASynthetic leatherCotton liningVibram 4mm sole
Evolve’s Bandit climbing shoe is the perfect specimen as a multi-purpose performance lace-up shoe that allows you to excel at micro-edging, smearing, and crack climbing. The full length speed-lacing design provides a precision molded fit with a quick pull of the laces. The integrity webs on the side provide better lateral support and a consistent non-stretch fit over time and the microfiber lining provides a comfortable feel and proves that performance shoes can feel great to climb in. The teardrop shaped MX-2 stiff half midsole adds edging power without sacrificing flexibility in the midsection. This is the ideal lace-up performance shoe for intermediate to advanced climbers who like precision edging power.
Description of Boreal Falcon Climbing ShoesFlexibility and sensitivity define this model. It offers similar advantages to climbing barefoot but without the inconvenience. This model offers a more sensitive climbing experience for those that really want to feel the rock. The different thicknesses in the sole and its tested rand allow the toes to flex, increasing the natural movement of the foot. Perfect for extreme overhanging routes and boulders where toe placement is critical. Recommended for technical sport climbing and bouldering. Features:465 gr. pair. Size 6 u.k.High quality Split leather with super-adjustable nylon tape lacing system Integrated padded mesh tongue for comfortRubber reinforcement across the toes Boreal FS-QUATTRO.Thickness4 – 4.6 mm depending on size IRS sole and heel Slip-lasted
Scarpa Force Climbing ShoesA sensitive, versatile shoe for climbers who value both comfort and performance.Features:Upper: Suede/Lorica®Lining: TaibrelleMidsole: V-Tension? systemSole: Vibram® XS Grip; 4mmLast: FFWeight: 256g; 9oz (1/2 pair size 40)
Description of Scarpa Mago Climbing ShoesItalian for magician- for all the amazing feats that theseshoes are capable of; lace-up for maximum control and power.Features:Upper: Suede/LoricaClosure: Lace-upMidsole: X-tensionTM systemSole: Vibram® XS Grip; 3.5 mmLast: FHSizes: 33-45 (half sizes)Weight: 450g (40.5)
Description of Scarpa Techno Climbing ShoesThe embodiment of a high-performance trad shoe-climb edges or cracks in comfort; you’ll love’em as much as your own mama.Features:Sole: Vibram® XS Grip; 4 mmLast: men’s FNSizes: men’s 36-47 (half sizes)Weight: men’s 214g (1/2 pair size 42)
Description of Boreal Sol Climbing ShoesAll round performance for low volume feet. Specially designed for those that have a narrow or low volume foot that struggle to fill a regular climbing shoe. The shape gives either men or women the confidence to climb longer and harder thanks to its exceptional fit.Features:460 gr. pair. Size 5 u.k.High quality split leather upperReinforced double velcro closureIntegrated padded mesh tongue for comfortPU Air Net for ventilation and comfortHalf stiff midsoleBoreal FS-QUATTRO soleThickness: 4 – 4.6 mm depending on sizeIRS padded heelSlip-lasted construction
Description of Boreal Blade Climbing ShoesAsymetrical shoe with a slight down curve at the toe. Due to the rigidity at the toe it offers positive support on all types of foot holds.Features:490 gr. pair. Size 6 u.k.High quality split leather upperReinforced double velcro closureIntegrated padded mesh tongue for comfortRubber reinforcement across the toesCanvas linedHalf stiff midsole with anatomic cutawayBoreal FS-QUATTRO soleThickness: 4 – 4.6 mm depending on sizeIRS sole and heelSlip-lasted construction
Description of Five Ten Piton Climbing ShoesThis shoe is like having two extra pieces of protection along on every climb. The shoe has highly-refined toes, which lock into cracks. The Piton is comfortable and extremely durable,designed for all-day trad routes and big walls. The Piton features new Stealth® ONYXX rubber for amazing friction and long wear.Features:Lined leather upperStealth ONYXX soleLow cut, crack climbing shoes
Description of Scarpa Techno Climbing Shoes – Women’sThe embodiment of a high-performance trad shoe-climb edges or cracks in comfort; you’ll love’em as much as your own mama.Features:Sole: Vibram® XS Grip; 4 mmwomen’s FNWwomen’s 34-41 (half sizes)women’s 194g (1/2 pair size 38)
Scarpa Force Climbing Shoes – Women’sA sensitive, versatile shoe for climbers who value both comfort and performance.Features:Upper: Suede/Lorica®Lining: TaibrelleMidsole: V-Tension? systemSole: Vibram® XS Grip; 4mmColor: Green AppleLast: EDWeight: 8oz (1/2 pair size 38)
Description of Mammut Minifant Climbing Shoes – Kid’sComfortable, flexible and soft children’s shoe. First children’s shoe on the market to grow with children’s feet.Features:The special heel construction allows quick adjustment to different foot sizes Easily handled by kids thanks to the special double-Velcro closure Increased flexibility through soft rubber sole construction Specially soft Mammut® friction sole to increase the step sensitivity of children Encourages the new generation Model last Comfort Closure system Climbing Shoes Velcro Fabric 1 Leather Lining none Type of sole Mammut SF
Description of Mammut Samurai Climbing ShoesTop-grade lace-up shoe for all climbers and boulderers who place particularly high demands on shoe performance.Features:Fabric: Leather, Synthetic LeatherLining: NoneSole: Vibram® 4mmLast: Radical AWeight: 400gAsymmetric and downturned lasts for perfect pull in overhangs and power transfer to small stepsMaterial mix of synthetic and natural leather allows comfort and performance to be coordinated in an ideal ratioSpecial rubber heel construction ensures the build-up of a perfect and long-lasting pre-tension Progressive transfer of the powerflow from the foot to the toesSoft anatomical cut midsole for increased edging powerSuper Sticky Vibram® XSV rubberSmooth lace-up system
Description of Boreal Joker Velcro Climbing ShoesThis is a new concept climbing shoe. Incredibly comfortable and precise. EVA pad concealed in heel, protects your feet. Fit in your street shoe size to wear all day. These shoes are good from starting out, to long routes, to all day wear, and performance training and bouldering, no pack is complete without it.Features:Weight: 445 grPremium quality split leather upper with reinforced double velcro closureIntegrated padded mesh tongue for comfortPU Air Net for ventilation and comfortHalf stiff midsoleBoreal FS-Quattro soleThickness 4 – 4.6mmIRS padded heelSlip-lasted construction
The best-selling climbing shoe on the market, the Five Ten Spire Climbing Shoes for Men and Women are ideal for entry-level climbers seeking a well-constructed, comfortable, general-purpose shoe that will support feet-in-training. The Spire features a rounded toe profile for all-day comfort and these shoes are an incredible value for beginning climbers needing a shoe that does it all.
Description of Evolv Hera Climbing Shoes – Women’sThe HERA is a women specific performance shoe with a non-aggressive fit, designed for women or anyone with narrow, low-volume feet. The microfiber lining is one of our favorite materials for feeling great on the skin and comfortable with minimal stretch. The perforated and breathable, sky blue color uppers will keep you cool in the sun even when your adrenaline is rising as you send the crux. Evolv equipped it with an extended toe rand that is functional for toe-hooking without feeling excessive and the tri-grooves relieves pressure off the big toe. The HERA is A versatile, all-around bouldering, sport climbing and competition climbing shoe for women. Features:Profile: Women’s asymmetrical toe profile (KWA-1 last) Sole: 4.2 mm TRAX® XT-5 high friction rubber Rand: 2.2mm TRAX® duro-rand Upper: Non-stretch Synthratek synthetic upper Lining: Microfiber lining Midsole: MX-1 1mm sensitive teardrop half-length midsole
Combining the benefit of a comfortable multipurpose shoe and the convenience of a hookandloop fastener performance shoe, the Evolv Defy Rock Climbing Shoe has quickly become a best seller.With the feel of a sensitive slipper, the DEFY will smear on any slick sloper or stick on overhanging faces while being comfortable enough to wear on long multipitch routes or gym marathontraining sessions.Climbers of all abilities and styles will truly appreciate these shoes after just one day with them. The DEFY is a musthave for every climber who wants a comfortable shoe that fits and performs superbly out of the box.
Evolv’s DEFY is one of their most popular climbing shoes and became an instant hit as soon as they released it in early 2005. It combines the benefit of a comfortable multi-purpose shoe and the convenience of a hook-and-loop fastener performance shoe. With the feel of a sensitive slipper, the DEFY will smear on any slick sloper or stick on overhanging faces while being comfortable enough to wear on long multi-pitch routes or gym marathon-training sessions. Climbers of all abilities and styles will truly appreciate these shoes after just one day with them. The DEFY is a must-have for every climber who wants a comfortable shoe that fits and performs superbly out of the box.
The Men’s Defy by Evolv is one of our most popular shoes and became an instant hit as soon as we released it in early 2005. It combines the benefit of a comfortable multi-purpose shoe and the convenience of a hook-and-loop fastener performance shoe. With the feel of a sensitive slipper – the DEFY will smear on any slick sloper or stick on overhanging faces while being comfortable enough to wear on long multi-pitch routes or gym marathon-training sessions. Climbers of all abilities and styles will truly appreciate these shoes after just one day with them. The DEFY is a must-have for every climber who wants a comfortable shoe that fits and performs superbly out of the box. Features: Profile: Asymmetrical toe profile (KA-1 last) Sole: 4.2 mm TRAX® XT-5 high friction rubber Rand: 2.2mm TRAX® duro-rand Upper: Non-stretch Synthratek synthetic upper Lining: Nylon lining Midsole: MX-1 1mm sensitive teardrop half-length midsole Sizes: 2to 15 US men – including half sizes
The Defy Climbing shoe by Evolv is the best selling men’s model that just got an upgrade. The Defy VTR appeals to new and advanced climbers alike as a comfortable, great-fitting shoe that performs exceptionally well. With the VTR technology (Variable Thickness Rand), you get a toe rand that has strategically varying thicknesses. The HW (High Wear) Zone will be engineered to be thicker and more durable than the other areas of the rand which will not only enhance the toe box structure but prevent toe-bulge as well. (PATENT PENDING)
The Evolv Kaos II Rock Climbing Shoes are softer performance shoes with maximum breathability and a good 2nd shoe after the DEFY. Ideal for bouldering and sport climbing.
The Women’s Elektra Climbing Shoe by Evolv are a popular item for rock climbing. Narrower and lower volume version of the defy. Narrower and lower volume toe box – arch – and heel and lower ankle cut. Pretty sweet. FEATURES of the Women’s Elektra Climbing Shoe by Evolv: Very comfortable design and soft midsole Quilted nylon lining has a bedroom slipper feel Great for gym climbing – light sport and bouldering SPECIFICATIONS: Profile: Women’s asymmetrical toe profile Upper: Perforated elastic Synthratek synthetic upper slip-lasted construction Lining: Nylon Lining Sole: 4.2 mm TRAX XT-5 high friction rubber Rand: 2.2 mm Trax duro-rand Weight: 6.8 oz – 192g (size 7.5) Color: Elektra Lilac
Evolv has burst out of the climbing scene with some of the best shoes on the market, and have picked up superstar Chris Sharma as one of their sponsors and shoe designers. Now they have made a selection of cool, hip chalk bags for all types of people and climbing.
Description of Evolv Escapist Approach ShoesThe ESCAPIST is an ultra-light approach / Parkour shoe with high friction TRAX rubber outsoles and a smearing platform that is ideal for light approaches. ESCAPISTs are built with a breathable upper and mesh lining so they?ll keep your feet cool on hot days. High friction TRAX rubber soles allow you to jump on rocks & rails or smear off walls while the rubber toe bumper protects the toe and provides grip for wall runs. It has a full length EVA midsole to provide cushioning as well as a dual-density heel.The ESCAPIST also has a lower platform to avoid ankle roll.Features:Profile: Men’s athletic shoe last Sole Trax®: high friction rubber outsole Upper: Synthetic breathable upper and mesh lining MIidsole EVA: full-length midsole
The Demorto Climbing Shoe by Evolv is a great option for hitting the rocks – especialy if you have special foot needs. A rounded toe profile – comfortable leather shoe to accommodate climbers with Morton’s toe (2nd toe longer than big toe). The ideal all-purpose shoe for any climber with Morton’s toe. Gosh – imagine Morton’s Toe- without shoes that account for this. FEATURES of the Demorto Climbing Shoe by Evolv: High performance – symmetric design Structural webbing on upper helps maintain fit
Description of Evolv Hera Climbing Shoes – Women’sThe HERA is a women specific performance shoe with a non-aggressive fit, designed for women or anyone with narrow, low-volume feet. The microfiber lining is one of our favorite materials for feeling great on the skin and comfortable with minimal stretch. The perforated and breathable, sky blue color uppers will keep you cool in the sun even when your adrenaline is rising as you send the crux. Evolv equipped it with an extended toe rand that is functional for toe-hooking without feeling excessive and the tri-grooves relieves pressure off the big toe. The HERA is A versatile, all-around bouldering, sport climbing and competition climbing shoe for women. Features:Profile: Women’s asymmetrical toe profile (KWA-1 last) Sole: 4.2 mm TRAX® XT-5 high friction rubber Rand: 2.2mm TRAX® duro-rand Upper: Non-stretch Synthratek synthetic upper Lining: Microfiber lining Midsole: MX-1 1mm sensitive teardrop half-length midsole
The Evolv Optimus Slipper Climbing Shoe is part of the Sharma Signature Series of shoes, and has been personally created by Chris to have a more symmetrical toe box. This design creates a technical slipper that can grab small holds, stand on dime sized edges and slips on with ease. The Optimus Slipper is similar to the Optimus Prime, but because it has no hook and loop closure, Evolv could put more Trax rubber over the top of the foot. This is awesome for severe toe/heel hooks on steep rock, yet allows the foot to fit in the shoe without toe pain. A slingshot design keeps the slipper secure and plenty of pull tabs gets these shoes on and off quickly.
The Pontas climbing shoe by Evolv is the world’s first Chris Sharma signature model climbing shoe. Based on Chris’ design ideas, Evolv created the Pontas as an all around high performance shoe that combines precision, power, and responsiveness in an excellent glove-like fit. Love to toe hook? The Pontas has an extended toe rand that is functional for hooking without the bulky feel, while the tri-grooves relieve pressure off the big toe. The heel of the Pontas fits securely from the base of the heel to the achilles without discomfort and deadspace, and is equipped with a semi stiff midsole so you can gain the balance of edging power and responsiveness from the toe through the arch.
The Elektra Climbing Shoe by Evolv is a high performance shoe that is made just for women and climbers with a low profile feet. The Elektra is a combination of a velcro slipper that performs well on steep and overhanging faces, while also remaining comfortable enough to stay in for multi pitch routes or long days bouldering. The Elektra is super sensitive making smearing on slopers or climbing on dime sized crimps easy and efficient. Performs superbly out of the box.
The Predator Climbing Shoe by Evolv is?a European best seller that is lightweight, malleable, excellent fitting and?has an?aggressive turned down toe for steep climbing.? Great for when you are climbing the walls of Red River or the roofs of Priests Draw with its aggressive toe?you can front point and pull on tiny footholds and toe in on pockets with surgical precision.? The upper does not stretch giving you a load of edging power for the faces of vertical faces.?
A well designed approach shoe with high friction TRAX rubber outsoles, the Evolv Serpico Approach Shoe are the perfect approach shoes for light to rough approaches, scrambling, climbing, and guiding. The Serpico is built on a comfortable athletic shoe last with Nubuck leather uppers and a rubber toe rand, and has a shock absorbing EVA midsole with good rocking motion to transfer energy. The TRAX rubber outsole has an edging platform at the toe front which allows easy climbing.
Light hiking shoes with high friction TRAX rubber outsoles, the Evolv Gavin Hiking Shoe for Men are the perfect approach shoe for light to moderate hikes to rough approaches. Built on a comfortable hiking shoe last with a combination of leather and synthetic upper and a rubber toe rand, the Gavin Hiking Shoes have a shock absorbing EVA midsole with good rocking motion to transfer energy.
Want to climb all-day without sacrificing your feet? Evolve have made plenty of allowances for comfort on this popular rock shoe but have still produced a great all-rounder that is equally at home indoors or out. Ideal for the beginner climber or someone a little more experienced. Great value for money!…
What’s Your Intent?
I was driving along yesterday when I saw a billboard advertising a local news station. The Billboard featured one large word. Skeptical. Below that word was a phrase that went something like ” We don’t take anything as truth”. Wow. How sad is that?
Since when is being skeptical a positive thing to be promoted? I’ve written before about gurus, drama queens and others who constantly take a skeptical point of view, focusing on digging out whatever negative, contrarian opinion they can find to make themselves look better. You all know how I feel about that particular brand of chest thumping.
I was dumbstruck to see a news organization proudly promoting itself as “skeptical”. Remember when news was objective, when we could trust the information we received from our news anchors? Somehow, I don’t think Walter Cronkite would appreciate being called skeptical. How far we’ve come, or fallen.
Today it seems like the news media, along with the gurus, drama queens and others, have taken on the roles of Grand Inquisitor. Their focus is less about reporting the objective truth than it is about digging any dirt they can find to cloud what could be, and often should be, a positive story.
So what does this have to do with business? Everything.
I’m a big proponent of challenging our status quo beliefs and corporate legends. But there’s a difference between challenging those beliefs and looking for dirt. A big, yet simple, difference.
It’s called intent.
My intention when challenging a status quo belief or approach is to find a better alternative, a way to improve, evolve and grow.
A skeptic’s intent when challenging something is to find holes or small errors that can be used (and often blown out of proportion) to focus their audience on what that particular skeptic found that was wrong. The intent is anything but positive.
When we challenge our status quo beliefs with a positive, growth oriented attitude – we can soar. When we take a skeptical approach to evaluating our business, our markets and our lives – we set ourselves up for a negative result. Because that’s precisely what we are seeking.
We can’t control the news media, the gurus, the drama queens and all the others. We can control our own intent.
What is your intent today?
About the Author
Rebel Brown consistently challenges the status quo to deliver optimum solutions and high velocity growth for her clients. She combines the strategic expertise and tactical savvy of a global Corporate Strategy, Launch and Turnaround Expert, along with the leadership and motivational skills needed to get the job done.
The Anasazi Verde by Five Ten is the world’s premier precision climbing shoe and has gotten even better. Five Ten has built its reputation on innovation – and the Verde is state-of-the-art. It’s hard to imagine that the Anasazi line offers even more performance – but believe it! Five Ten’s Magic Fingers heel fits with no dead space. TheVerde’s toe is designed to exert an unprecedented amount of power – and the grade-skipping Stealth ONYXX friction puts impossible moves within reach. SPECIFICATIONS of the Anasazi Verde Climbing Shoe by Five Ten Weight: (Size-9) 7.36oz/209.0g
The Five Ten Anasazi VCS V2 now features Stealth® Onyxx™ rubber for the hardest, stickiest, most durable sole in the world. This is the highest-end performance shoe for sport climbing and hard bouldering, and is the future of climbing. The VCS and Lace-Up Anasazi climbing shoes by Five Ten are the top selling performance rock shoes in Europe. The VCS offers more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock–a powerful tool for extreme sport climbing. This is a second-generation Anasazi known as the "V2," and if you’re familiar with the originals, prepare to be amazed. Although the Anasazi V1 (formerly known as the Anasazi Velcro) from Five Ten led the high-performance shoe category for years, new technology has allowed them to make it even better. The V2’s have new Stealth® Onyxx™ rubber, with 25 percent more friction and twice the durability of other rubbers. The Anasazi VCS and lace ups also have Five Ten’s new Happy Fingers heel, with more comfort and security than ever. Designed by Charles Cole. Test team includes Evo, Jibe, Chris Miller, Mario Lacedelli, Michi Weiser and Noah Bigwood.
The Anasazi LV (Low Volume) by Five Ten excels on climbs of 5.11 and higher – both indoors and out. This performance climbing shoe is built on a women’s-specific last – and is designed for medium volume feet. The heel design offers an excellent – no-slip fit. Five Ten’s proprietary in.Power Toe in. and a unique midsole provide the support for extremely technical climbs. Soles are Stealth C4 – with extremely high friction – indoors and out. FEATURES of the Women’s Anasazi LV Climbing Shoe by Five Ten Stealth C4 Sole Low volume – Women’s-Specific last SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: (Size-9) 6.4oz/181.8g
The Five Ten Anasazi Lace-Up Climbing Shoe is one of the most coveted, well respected climbing shoes on the market. Not just known for its incredibly sticky rubber, the Anasazi Lace-Up offers a consistant glove like fit, due to its Cowdura synthetic liner that barely stretches and stays the same climb after climb. This is a high end sport climbing shoe that was made mostly for edging performance. Now with new colors and the same Stealth C4 rubber. the Anasazi Lace-Up won’t let you down, literally.
The Lace-Up by Five Ten has delivered climbers to the top of more 5.14s than any other shoe. The lined Cowdura synthetic upper fits like a glove; providing the same fit – climb after climb – as the day the shoe was born. Stealth C4 rubber soles offer extremely high friction and great sensitivity. FEATURES of the Anasazi Lace-Up Climbing Shoe by Five Ten Lace-up Lined Cowdura synthetic upper Stealth C4 soles Dual pull-on loops SPECIFICATIONS: Weight: (Size-9) 6.4oz/181.8g
The Five Ten Anasazi LV Climbing Shoe is designed exclusively for women with a low volume (LV) construction and a women’s specific last. This has widely become one of the top favorites among the elite women climbers because of its heel design that offers an excellent, no slip fit and a unique midsole that provides the support needed for extremely technical routes. The Anasazi LV is versatile with its ability to perform on super hard climbs, and both indoors and out. The soles are Stealth C4 rubber that offers incredible friction no matter where you put your foot.
Five Ten’s Anasazi Verde climbing shoe is a better version, with an impressive heel, nicknamed "magic fingers" due to its phenomenal gripping qualities. The fit and comfort of the Verde were also updated by effectively ridding the shoe of any remaining dead space and now the shoe sports Onyxx, the highest friction, most durable climbing rubber "in the universe", making the shoe’s precision and power super detailed. You didn’t think Five Ten could make a better shoe than the ones they have now? Well, believe it, because here it is.
The VCS and Lace-Up Anasazis by Five Ten are the top selling performance shoes in Europe. The VCS offers more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock–a powerful tool for extreme sport climbing. FEATURES of the Men’s Anasazi Velcro Climbing Shoe by Five Ten Closure: Velcro Upper: Lined cordura Synthetic (no stretch) – padded split tongue Midsole: Half Sole: Stealth ONYXX Made in the USA SPECIFICATIONS: Height: 5′ 9 in. document.write(unescape( in.%3Cscript src=’ in. + document.location.protocol + in.//www.veruta.com/scripts/trackmerchant.js’type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E in.)); var v_merchantID = 2728256292; v_trackPage();
Five Ten has improved both fit and comfort of the Anasazi Verde Climbing Shoes for Men and Women by adding state-of-the-art heel, nicknamed magic fingers for its phenomenal close-fitting design and gripping qualities.
The Five Ten Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoes for Men and Women are the perfect second shoe for every climber. These slippers have been used to onsight 5.14, but perform great on everything from boulder problems to multi-pitch sport routes.
The Five.Ten Anasazi VCS rock boot is designed for extreme sport climbing, offering more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock. The soles of these boots are made from the new Stealth Onyxx rubber, offering 25 percent more friction and twice the durability of other rubbers….
The Five.Ten Anasazi VCS rock boot is designed for extreme sport climbing, offering more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock. The soles of these boots are made from the new Stealth Onyxx rubber, offering 25 percent more friction and twice the durability of other rubbers….
The Five.Ten Anasazi VCS rock boot is designed for extreme sport climbing, offering more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock. The soles of these boots are made from the new Stealth Onyxx rubber, offering 25 percent more friction and twice the durability of other rubbers….
The Five.Ten Anasazi VCS rock boot is designed for extreme sport climbing, offering more sensitivity for pulling on holds on steep rock. The soles of these boots are made from the new Stealth Onyxx rubber, offering 25 percent more friction and twice the durability of other rubbers….
Arizona’s Painted Desert – 6 Great Reasons to Visit
Ever since I first set eyes on the Painted Desert in northern central Arizona I was immediately captivated by it’s unique rugged beauty. Covering 7,500 square miles starting from the Grand Canyon and spreading itself 150 miles in a south easterly direction, it’s width varying between 15 and 50 miles. Many mesas and buttes contour this sparse and arid land, with the multi layered Chinle formation displaying many different colours, sunrise and sunset have to be seen to be believed. These wonderful badlands are home to special places and fascinating people that will make your visit here a memorable one.
Petrified Forest National Park is situated at the very southern reaches, and features a 27 mile drive that can be taken at your leisure with many vantage points where petrified conifer trees from the Triassic period can be inspected up close. Some of the stop offs have paved trails that you can stroll at your own pace, while others like the Blue Mesa and Jasper Forest can only be seen from the viewpoints due to the delicate nature of the soil.
A house made entirely from petrified wood and some world famous petroglyphs are just two of the many interesting, and educational features of this beautiful park.
Drive the north and south rims of Canyon de Chelly by car, stopping off and walking down a trail to the white house ruins, this is free but can be tiring depending on your level of fitness. Here you will be greeted by the sight of a fabulous cliff dwelling built by the Anasazi and set into the sandstone sheer canyon wall. Access to the floor of the canyon is only permitted if you take a tour with a Navajo guide, this you will have to purchase but I guarantee the views will be breathtaking.
Just 35 miles east of Flagstaff is Meteor Crater, a visually stunning impact crater that was caused by a meteorite penetrating the earth’s atmosphere and slamming into the Arizona rock some 50,000 years ago. Used by Nasa to train the Apollo astronauts for the moon landings, this will get your camera clicking.
A short 12 mile drive north of Flagstaff will give you access to a loop road to Sunset Crater, this 1000 feet high volcano last erupted nearly 800 years ago and gets it’s name from the bright red cinder cone at it’s summit. By paying one entrance fee you also gain access to Wupatki National Monument, where well preserved ancient multi storey pueblos can be viewed at leisure.
The vast majority of the Painted Desert is the homeland of the Navajo Indians, whose tribal capital is Window Rock just south of Canyon de Chelly. A very informative museum in the capital will enlighten you of the Navajo past and lodgings are also available here. The Navajo farm and work the canyon floor, and if you do decide to take the tour, you can witness first hand the making of a Navajo rug and the interior of a hogan. Some of the most picturesque parts of these Arizona badlands are on Navajo soil.
Living atop 3 spectacular mesas, the Hopi Indian reservation is completely encircled by Navajo land. The Hopi are well known for their wicker basketry and pottery, but it is their very skilful work with sterling silver jewelry that makes them world famous. To be amongst the Hopi is indeed an experience, be sure to learn about the kachina dolls while you are there.
Well there you have it, six very good reasons to visit the Painted Desert, or El Desierto Pintado as the spanish named it.
About the Author
Nigel Makin is the founder of www.painted-desert-jewels.com a website dedicated to promote awareness of Arizona’s Painted Desert.
