SureFire

Archive for the ‘Mountaineering’ Category

Revision Announces Snowhawk Cold Weather Goggle System

Monday, May 23rd, 2016

Essex Junction, Vermont (May 23, 2016) – Revision Military, a world leader in protective eyewear solutions, introduces the SnowHawkTM Cold Weather Goggle System. Revision developed this goggle system in collaboration with Anon Optics, a leader in goggle design for snow sports and a brand owned by Burton Snowboards, the world’s leading snowboard company. The SnowHawk Cold Weather System is the first-ever fully integrated ballistic goggle and balaclava system offering complete face coverage, superior anti-fog performance, and ballistic protection.

Cold climate operations have become an essential tactical focus for militaries around the world, with many dedicating more resources and training to maneuvers in the Arctic and other cold weather regions. This shift has generated a growing demand for gear that can withstand harsh conditions and function in extreme environments.

Extensive time, attention, and resources were dedicated to ensuring the breathability of this cold weather system: Mesh over the mouth and nose directs breath away from the goggle; the dual-pane thermal gasket lens creates an insulated barrier; built-in top and lateral forced-air vents provide constant airflow; and, Revision’s leading OcuMax© Plus coating is applied on the inside of the lens to prevent fogging, plus a hard-coat is on the outside of the lens to resist scratching. The SnowHawk system’s balaclava design utilizes Anon’s Magnetic Facemask Integration (MFI®) technology to seamlessly integrate the goggle and balaclava, ensuring stabilization and seal, with no skin exposed. The system achieves total face and head coverage, but is also intuitively designed for ease of use and swift removal when necessary. The SnowHawk Cold Weather System is available in black or winter white.

“As Revision has evolved, we have increasingly taken advantage of our cutting- edge facilities to tailor our protective equipment to the many environments forces around the world encounter,” said Jim Hester, Vice President, Optics, Revision Military. “We are excited to take this capability to greater extremes and challenge the limits of what our protective eyewear can do with the SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System. We are especially pleased to partner with a neighboring Vermont company on this venture. Burton is a likeminded and impressive company in an adjacent field, and it brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the table.” Hester continued, “As extreme cold weather operations are expanded, the SnowHawk goggle system, and the technology we have developed for this product, will be the standard for integrated head systems used by forces in extreme cold conditions.”

With improved comfort, functionality, and stability comes enhanced endurance and situational awareness; this is especially vital in the harshest and most unforgiving terrain on the planet. The SnowHawk Cold Weather System is low-profile and lightweight, with a sleek form-factor ideal for both tactical operations and extended- use missions. This efficient design ensures compatibility with helmets, binoculars, and night vision systems. The SnowHawk goggle lenses are interchangeable—with options for bright sunlight, overcast or low-light scenarios, and laser protection— and are made from optical grade polycarbonate to shield eyes from unexpected fragments, exceeding U.S. Military eyewear ballistic impact resistance requirements (MIL-PRF-32432).

SnowHawk goggles are compatible with Revision’s Rx Carrier for prescription lenses up to ±11D. Revision has tested the SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System in the company’s Research & Development laboratory, and the SnowHawk system has undergone rigorous review by multiple organizations in many diverse environments and conditions, including in Alaska, California, Norway, Canada, and atop Mount Washington, NH, a location known to be one of the coldest and harshest in the U.S. For additional information on this product and Revision’s capabilities, or for purchase inquires, contact sales@revisionmilitary.com.

Hill People Gear – Winter Skills Training 2016

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016

Each year Hill People Gear customers gather to share knowledge in an outdoor experience. This video gives you an overview of what goes on. Hopefully, I’ll make it one of these days.

High Angle Solutions – CTOMS – K3 Tether

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

CTOMS K3-Sling Alternative Configuration

K3 Tether

Sometimes the simple products are more complex than you think. Retention lanyards are an example. CTOMS performed testing on a typical helicopter retention lanyard (brand name withheld though many brands have very similar design and construction) – the type made of 1” tubular nylon with shock cord inserted into the core. The intent of the shock cord is to slightly shorten the tether to manage its length but provide stretch to a longer length for functional range.

100kg (225 lb.) test mass

Fall Factor 1.0: 10.2kN (2293 lbf)

Fall Factor 2.0: 13.2kN (2967.5 lbf) Failed

Traditional Tether from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.

FullSizeRender-2

At the same time CTOMS tested their K2-Sling adjustable retention lanyard. It is a basic design of 8mm accessory cord with sewn terminations, a connector at each end, and a 6mm sewn loop attached to the 8mm with a 4 wrap Prusik. That loop is then Cat’s Paw’d onto a quick release marine shackle. The design allows for tether length adjustment and also release from the system under load in a two part disconnect that prevent inadvertent release of a sole marine shackle attachment.

100kg (225 lb.) test mass

FF2.0: 13.5kN (3035 lbf) caught load

K2 Tether from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.

A high peak force, but at least still retained.

K2 and K3 in use

The next generation retention lanyard incorporates TRACE Systems force limiting technology. The new K3 Tether is made of 6mm TRACE Systems Rope and incorporates a Quickie Ascender (QA) for length adjustment. The long leg is 2 meters long, which means at maximum reach for most people, there will still be adequate slack to allow slippage through the device to arrest a fall. The K3 has been designed for both helicopter retention and mountaineering retention. It can be configured so that the adjustment (QA) is at the harness (usually helicopter) or at the anchor end (usually mountaineering).

The lanyard has a long leg and a short leg. The long leg is for personal retention and connection to an anchor, and when mountaineering, the short leg is to connect the rappel device to. The large loop would normally be girth hitched to the harness. When climbing with TRACE Systems, the short leg also is where the belay device would be connected providing a slight extension, which is ideal in that unique circumstance. A set of ettriers can also be hung on the tether carabiner and either as a single or a pair, is an excellent adjustable daisy chain for aid climbing.

In helicopter retention mode, the K3 would normally be flipped, connecting the adjustment end (QA) to your harness, and the “Y” end loop and short leg to a connector then to the aircraft. This ensures adjustment is always in reach.

The best part of the K3 is the soft catch of a major fall and slippage of rope through the device of under 1 meter. While the test videos are not in actual tether configuration, the adaptation is practically seamless.

100kg (225 lb.) test mass

FF2.0: 3.7kN caught load

QA Fall Factor 2 from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.

Drop tests on actual tethers are planned soon and once all is good and verified, the K3 will become commercially available.

ctoms.ca

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

USASOC Sniper Comp – Misty Mountain Threadworks

Friday, March 25th, 2016

Yesterday, I got a quick in and out to Fort Bragg to visit the USASOC Sniper Comp. One of the companies I visited with is an old favorite, Misty Mountain Threadworks. He’s always got something interesting going on and this year is no different. This is the Bud Bucket. It’s a large chalk bag meant for bouldering where multiple people will share the same bag. With Misty Mountain, you can customize many of their products like this one which features MultiCam and Brown panels. It gives you a good idea of what they are capable of.

The Bud Bucket features a large fleece lined compartment with a drawstring closure, rear stretch pockets for brushes, tape, and accessories, and a zippered pocket at the front for car keys, etc.

High Angle Solutions – DMM – Passive Protection

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016

Wallnuts

1

Refined over many years, the Wallnuts are as popular as ever with climbers; from those taking their first steps onto rock, to the seasoned campaigner – proof that they really do work. Wallnuts are the backbone of any trad rack, with most climbers carrying at least one full set and supplementing them with the more specialized passive protection from the DMM range. The carefully calculated sizing and angles, unique scoops, and multiple placement options all add up to increase the chances of getting that 10/10 runner that allows you to press on upwards.

> Eleven color coded sizes offer easy identification and cover placements from 6.7mm to 37.4mm

> Lightweight and strong > Recessed wires on sizes 1-6 to increase durability and shallow placement options

> Anodized for corrosion resistance

Offsets

2

Where do you turn when the cracks are flared? No good for standard wires? Too open for a cam? The legendary Hugh Banner came up with the answer: Offsets. An ideal complement to a standard rack, the five sizes of HB Alloy Offsets can provide solid, confidence inspiring placements where simply nothing else will work to get you out of that jam.

> Five color coded sizes

> Multiple placement options for each size

> A hugely useful addition to Wallnuts

Torque Nuts

3

Outrageously light and strong, the Torque Nuts take over where the Wallnuts leave off. Starting at 31 mm and continuing to a whopping 71mm, this versatile set takes care of wide crack passive protection with gusto. The carefully shaped bodies allow the climber to place the Torque Nut like a Wallnut in a constriction in one orientation, and in the other, the Torque Nut really ‘cams’ – allowing protection in parallel cracks. Once the placement is solid, the clever sling system (patented) that helped you rack the Torque neatly and away from your knees can be extended out of the depths of the crack, reducing rope drag and adding security to your runner.

> Four sizes cover a huge range from 31mm to 71mm

> Color coded for easy identification

> Patented 8mm extendable Dynatec sling allows compact racking and easy extension

> Multiple placement options per size

Nutbuster

4

So you’ve got all the gear lodged into the crag, now the second has to get it all out. We’ve manufactured the Nutbuster to be simple, reliable and user-friendly. The tip of the tool is slimmed down to get to those hard to reach micros, and the handle is comfortable rubber to ensure a firm grip when shifting those stubborn nuts. The handle can be removed to expose a 17mm spanner for tightening up any loose bolts

> Rubber handled nut key > Laser cut from stainless steel

> Lightening holes to reduce weight

> Narrow profile to access deep placements

> 17mm spanner inside handle

dmmwales.com

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

High Angle Solutions – Atlas Devices – REBS Compact Launcher

Wednesday, March 16th, 2016

Compact Launcher

The REBS Compact Launcher is a multiple shot, subsurface transit capable rope/ladder deployment system that is optimal for use in scenarios where traditional hook & pole climbing systems can’t reach high enough to hit a target. The REBS is capable of reaching vertical heights of 100+ feet, and excels for use in mission profiles including Visit Board Search and Seizure, High Angle Rescue, Urban Vertical Assault, and Tactical Rope Access.

Specs

  • Bore: 50mm / 2.17in
  • Dimension/Weight: Length 23in/585mm (collapsed) ; 9.7lbs/4.4kg—Button Collapsible Stock
  • Pressure—300bar/4500psi
  • Rope Diameters—Variable
  • Rope Ladder Deployment: Yes
  • Full Pressure shots per bottle fill: 2+
  • Accuracy: +/- 3ft @ max height
  • Height Selectable Deployment: Variable
  • Max Height-Rope: 115ft—Rope diameter and condition dependent
  • Max Horizontal-Rope: 190ft / 60m
  • Max Height-Ladder: 52ft / 16m
  • Live Single-Operator Load on Grapnel: Yes
  • Grapnel Feature: Replaceable Impact Tip, Collapsible Titanium Arms
  • Dive Capable
  • Atlas Devices_Compact Launcher_GOPLAT

    Get the full Atlas Catalog here: atlasdevices.com/pdf/Atlas_Devices-2015_Catalog.pdf

    For more info visit www.atlasdevices.com or email sales@atlasdevices.com.

    High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

    32 North STABILicers

    Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

    STABILicers are American made tarction decices that are worn attached to the soles of your footwear.  This is the Hike XP model.

    The Hike XP incorporates their SureFit™ binding system and contoured insole provide a secure fit. These are a great option for those wearing commercial hiking boots in icy and other slippery conditions. Made from a Lightweight Thermo Plastic Elastomer that remains pliable in cold weather, they also incorporate replaceable cleats.

    While the model I’ve shown is for use with hiking boots, several models will fit military footwear.

    www.32north.com/icers/27-stabil-hike-xp

    High Angle Solutions – CTOMS – T2-Harness

    Wednesday, March 9th, 2016

    T2-Harness

    We set out to solve the problem of wearing a chest or full body harness that incorporates into an armor plate carrier system. Typically a system like this would either go under the armor, making the high attachment point exit from behind the plate getting into the face of the wearer. The other more common option if for a system to go over top of the plate carrier and all the attached pouches. The problem with that is that it makes the pouches less accessible and when loaded can crush the content. Not ideal for things like first aid kits and even pressing the PTT switch on a radio.

    We designed the T2-Harness to seamlessly integrate into a plate carrier. The webbing runs through the MOLLE in front of the armor, but behind any mounted pouches thus solving the two major problems. The T2 must be used in conjunction with either an M2 or G2 Harness (sold separately) as the only tested and compatible seat components, creating a Class 3 harness system.

    T2 Harness 360 View

    The T2 uses the same convenient connection style as our patented M2 Harness system. Comfort adjustment is fast and easy while donned to transition from suspension to walking and vice versa.

    ctoms.ca

    High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.