The Most Important Peak Climbing Equipments

 

 

Peak Climbing is one of the most adventurous and exhilarating sports that you can do in the Himalaya. To make it successful and exciting, you need the right equipment and knowledge and skill on how to use them. Most of the people are confused about what to bring with them on the peak climbing. Choosing the best peak climbing equipment will make your adventure enjoyable and achievable. Here’s our comprehensive checklist of the peak climbing equipments that you need.

 

Ice Axe

Ice Axe is the most vital tool required for climbing. It is primarily required during the ascent and descent with snow or ice paths. It can also be used as walking stick to balance while making a steep uphill and downhill walk & and used to improvise the anchor. There are two types of Ice Axe – basic ice axe, which is for primary support during general climbing in snow / ice paths, and technical ice axe, which has more curved shaft and it is stronger with sharp picks to support steep/vertical climb.

 

Crampons

Crampons are useful tool for climbing which is generally used for ice climbing. They are metal plates fixed with spikes to set on the boots, which will help to walk on ice and slippery rocky path. It is also useable in many other situations like snowfields, icy fields, passing glaciers and scaling ice-smeared rock.  Semi-ridge crampons are the most popular.

 

Harness

Harness is an important part of peak climbing equipment. Harness is used for securing the climber to a rope or an anchor point.  Choosing the best and well-fitting harness will make you comfortable and avoid discomfort in the upper thigh area.

 

Climbing Ropes

Rope is a vital piece of equipment in peak climbing. The hard and tough path of Himalaya requires support of rope to ascend and descend. There are two types of rope – static and dynamic. Static rope is less elastic and it is mostly used for rappelling rescues & ascending whereas dynamic ropes are elastic and stretchable.

 

Carabiners

Carabiners are essential tool for climbing. They are safety tools and have multi-purpose tool to hook up with rope or connect components while climbing. There are two major types of carabiners – locking carabiners and non-locking carabiners (screw-gate), both are important and essential for climbing.

 

Mountaineering Boots

Good and comfortable mountaineering boots are essential things in climbing. Mountaineering boots are designed to be used with crampons. While choosing boots, make sure that they are comfortable, and fit properly with crampons. If your boots and crampons match, they will be more comfortable while walking and climbing in icy paths.

 

Eight figure/ Descender

Eight figure/ descender is an important peak climbing equipment, which is used as friction brakes while descending from up to down using the rope. Eight figures have unique ability to dissipate heat efficiently and functions as a friction brake and help to steady and controlled descent through the rope. Descender is used in conjunction with harness and locking carabiners to keep safe control. It is also used as belaying devices and for rappelling.

 

Ascender / Jumar

Ascender/ Jumar is an essential mechanical device made of metal used to fixe rope on trails or for directly ascending a rope. It can also be used as braking component with a rope hauling system.

 

Helmet

It is also most essential and important equipment for climbing. It protects you from any head injuries that many cause while climbing. In the higher altitude unexpected things happen, so helmet will help you to protect against the impact from slipping down from height, falling of rocks or ice. Mountaineering helmets are comfortable and lightweight which will keep you safe.

 

Ice Screw

Ice Screw is a handy tool used in tacking steep ice surfaces. It can also be used as a running belay or anchor. It also acts as essential item for rescues, to hold the climber in the event of fall or for ice climbing.

 

Ice Hammer

Ice Hammer is used while breaking hard snow and ice. It is mostly used for the placement and removal of snow bars, fixed anchors, pitons and it can also be used as an alternative of ice axe.

 

Snow Bar

Snow Bar is a supportive device that holds the rope in place for secured weight support of static loads or climber.

 

Tape Slings

Tape Slings are made from nylon or dyneema, which are designed for attaching the climber to anchor. Slings create equalized anchor system and reduce the drag of rope and gear clipped.

 

If you want to reach the summit of any trekking peaks in Nepal but you don’t know how to do it safely, Access Nepal has got you covered.