MOUNTAINEERING EQUIPMENT

1. Helmet

Protects climber head from falling rock, stones, ice or sudden impact against the rock at climbing or falling. Helmets consists of outer shell, adjustable mount, headband adjuster and vent holes

2. Harness

Harness is designed to protect a fall of a climber by distributing the force of a fall over large percentage of the body. Harness makes rappelling, jumaring or technical climbing much more comfortable. Harnesses are of two types i.e. Full body harness and seat harness.

3. Boot Multipurpose

Consists of inner insulating boot and plastic shell. They can be used for walking, climbing, skiing in snowy, icy or mixed terrain with crampons on or without them.

4. Rock climbing boots

Meant to be used especially for rock climbing. They are made of a soft and flexible upper and a smooth, flexible rubber sole. The rubber sole made from compound developed to provide the best friction between rock and shoe.

5. Rope Climbing

Rope Climbing is also called as dynamic rope, with stretch of 6-8%. Climbing rope is composed of a core of braided or parallel nylon filaments encased in a smooth, woven sheath of nylon.

6. Rope Rappelling

Also called as static rope. These are more rough and resistant to wearing out, with a stretch of 2-3 %.

7. Sling

Loops of tubular webbing or cord, called slings or runners, are the simplest pieces of equipment and some of the most useful. The uses for these simple pieces are endless, and they are a critical link between the climber, the rope, carabineers, and anchors. Runners are predominately made from either 9/16-inch or 1-inch tubular webbing and are either tied or sewn by a manufacturer.

8. Carabineers One of the most versatile pieces of equipment available to the mountaineer is the carabineer. This simple piece of gear is the critical connection between the climber, his rope, and the protection attaching him to the mountain. Carabineers are of two types i.e. screw type carabineer and plain carabineer.

9. Rock Pitons A piton is a metal pin that is hammered into a crack in the rock. They are described by their thickness, design, and length. Pitons provide a secure anchor for a rope attached by a carabineer. They are made of malleable steel, hardened steel or other alloys. Rock pitons are of two type i.e. vertical rock piton and horizontal rock piton.

10. Rock Hammer

It is a climbing tool, with flat striking surface for driving pitons and a pick for pulling out protections, clearing cracks. A shaft can be wooden or of steel and dressed with robber for better grip.

11. Chock Nuts

It is a group of removable artificial protection device. They generally consist of a metal part (chock), and a sling to link the device and a rope. In a proper crack they can be placed and removed much easier and faster than pitons and leave no scar on the rock face. Use of chock nuts does not make any noise.

12. Spring-Loaded Camming Devices Spring-loaded cramming devices (SLCDs) provide convenient, reliable placement in cracks where standard chocks are not practical. SLCDs have three or four cams rotating around a single or double axis with a rigid or semi-rigid point of attachment. These are placed quickly and easily, saving time and effort. SLCDs are available in many sizes to accommodate different size cracks. Each fits a wide range of crack widths due to the rotating cam heads.

13. Jumar

Jumar is a device which enables climbing up the fixed rope. Jumar allow movement in one direction and arrest the fall of climber during climbing. Jumar is also used in preparation of bases for crevasse rescue.

14. Descender

A device for controlled descent on a rope. Descender can also be used as a belay device.

15. Pulleys

Pulleys are used to change direction in rope systems and to create mechanical advantage in hauling systems. Pulleys are small, lightweight, and strong. Pulleys are made with several bearings, different-sized sheaves (wheel), and metal alloy side plates.

16. Crampons

Spiked metal devices that attach firmly to climbing boots to provide reliable footing on ice and firm snow slopes.

17. Ice Axe

A mountaineering tool, pointed at the base of the shaft and with a head consisting of a pick and an blade. A standard axe shaft may be 60 to 75 cm in length while technical axes are typically 50 cm long. The versatility of the ice axe lends itself to balance, step cutting, probing, self-arrest, belays, anchors, direct-aid climbing, and ascending and descending snow and ice covered routes.

18. Ice pitons

Ice pitons are used to protect climber on steep ice or for setting up a crevasse rescue base. The strongest and most reliable is the modern tubular ice pitons which ranges in length from 18 to 23 cm.

19. Ice Hammer

A variant of the ice axe where the head consists of a pick and a hammer, usually used in combination with an ice axe. The hammer is used to pound in protection.

20. Deadman anchor

An object buried into snow to serve as an anchor for an attached rope.

21. Snow Shovel

The snow shovel is used to cut and remove ice and snow. It can be used for avalanche rescue, shelter construction, step cutting, and removing obstacles. The snow shovel is made of a special, lightweight aluminum alloy. The handle should be telescopic, folding, or removable to be compact when not in use. The shovel should have a flat or rounded bottom and be of strong constructions.