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Archive for the ‘Mountaineering’ Category

New Belt and Harness Systems from CTOMS

Monday, January 5th, 2015

CTOMS had a lot to show me during last month’s SOMSA conference. In addition to the Temba Pack, Pulley, and SlimmerLine IFAK they also showed us their line of Belt and Harness Systems.

M2/G2 Systems

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-The desire was to build a lighter and more versatile belt and harness system than the current large buckle and large webbing.
-They started with AustriAlpin designing a 1” buckle where the release tabs were flush with the frame for added safety. CTOMS also switched to their new ‘Pro’ design which claims a redesign with a lower likelihood of inadvertently only securing one side.

Chassis

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-CTOMS belts start with what they call the Chassis.
-This is an adjustable one-size-fits-most carrier for two belt options.
-The chassis fits into most trouser belt loops.
-Hypalon belt loops retain the inner belt.

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M2 Inner Belt:

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-This is a similar design to their old M-Harness belt with a non-adjustable quick release in the center and a ladder lock adjuster slightly offset. This allows conversion into their patented M2-Harness system.

M2 Leg Loops (seen above):

-These are an improvement to the original design.
-Integrated leg loop padding.
-Lighter 1” webbing.
-Field replaceable shock cord for rear leg loop support straps.

G2 Inner Belt:

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-This is simply 1” tubular nylon with end user’s choice of dual adjust ITW SR buckle, or a dual adjust Cobra Buckle. Also available is their dual adjust, but not quick release, Belay Loop Assembly.
-The Belay Loop Assembly can be worn just like a non-quick release riggers belt, but instead of a metal V-ring, it has a soft bely loop clip in point. That belay loop can be slowed in its belay loop keeper to prevent inadvertent snags.

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G2 Leg Loops (seen above):

-Shares most design features of the M2 System, but compatible with the CTOMS Belay Loop Assembly.
-This turns your G2 Belt into a traditional style climber’s harness with a belay loop.

T2 Harness:

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-2nd generation Turtle Harness
-More comfortable and less likely to stress the stitching on the plate carrier.
-Similar configuration to the M2 System for ease of donning and doffing.
-Integrates into any PALS based plate carrier without interfering or crushing contents of pouches – goes under pouches but over armor.
-Connects to the M2 or G2 Harnesses via the Leg Loops.
-Rapidly adjusts for comfort depending on if the user is walking, in the aircraft or about to go on the hoist.
-Full Class 3 with new over the shoulder straps.

ctoms.ca/Mission-Essential-Equipment/Belts-Harnesses-and-Accessories

Splitter Crack Climbing Gloves from Outdoor Research

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

The Spiltter glove was designed in conjunction with crack climbing legend Hans Florine and tested on Yosemite’s world-famous granite cracks.

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Intended to replace tape, the Splitter is an easy on/off design and made from stretch polyester synthetic suede around the hand, non-slip synthetic leather for extra knuckle protection, and multiple finger loops with a unique wrist attachment. Available in XS, S/M and L/XL in Black.

www.outdoorresearch.com

SOMA – CTOMS

Thursday, December 11th, 2014

The new Piccolo pulley from CTOMS is super lightweight. It’s not just lightweight, it is 94% efficient at 42 grams with 27 kn of strength. It’s designed for TRACE systems (9mm or smaller rope) and can accept up to three carabiners!

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www.ctoms.ca

SOMA – Atlas Devices

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

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The Atlas Tactical Ladder system can be used as a Ladder, Litter and Bridge. Because it is collapsible, it can be jumped and you only need to carry the sections you require. The sections are removable and you can add sections to the 7′ standard length to bring it out to 15′. It has a 350 lbs rating with a 2:1 safety factory, and that’s in the bridge mode!

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In addition to integrated handholds the ATL RACC also has an integrated patient packaging harness and vertical/horizontal hoisting bridle.

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The multi handle autolocks into various positions and can be used as a pool hook while in the Ladder mode or an offset handle in the Litter mode. You can also turn the litter into a table to get your patient off of the ground or to elevate head or feet.

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The ATL RACC can be carried on the MSIG pack we showed you last year via speed clips. However, you can use the MSIG frame to package your patient’s torso and head.

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www.atlasdevices.com

MDM – SERKET – Filmbulvetr Snow Shoes

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

SERKET is introducing snow shoes from Norwegian company Filmbulvetr which is Old Norse for The Great Winter. How rad is that?

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All stress testing is done at -40 Deg (oddly enough both Celsius and Fahrenheit intersect at minus 40). Manufactured from DuPont thermoplastic, there aren’t a lot of moving pieces yet there is both fore and aft as well as lateral movement in the binding, it will float 330 lbs vice the 250 lbs for most snow shoes.

US production is slated for Spring 2015.

www.SerketUSA.com

Metolius Climbing – New MOE Products For 2015

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Click to view .pdf
Metolius

Metolius Climbing has several new products in store for their MOE line for 2015. You can check them out by clicking the image above.

www.metoliusclimbing.com

OR Summer Market – Krieg Climbing

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

Climber and Outdoor rep Kurt Smith has always had a nickname of “The General”. While walking the halls of OR Summer Market yesterday he saw me and asked me to come and check something out. What I saw was Sam Krieg of Krieg Climbing hard at work at his sewing machine making a custom chalk bag for Kurt.

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Remember I told you that Kurt’s nickname is “The General”? Turns out, Kurt’s favorite General is George Patton. Sam Krieg made up some fabric specifically for Kurt. How awesome is it that a guy named Krieg is making up a chalk bag featuring Gen Patton?

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Krieg Climbing is well known for their custom chalk bags. Check them out here www.KriegClimbing.com.

OR Summer Market – Cilo Gear

Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

Cilo Gear is well known for building ultra-lightweight mountaineering packs. Over time, specialized customers have come to them to build customized load carrying solutions. We’ve highlighted several in the past. This newest pack is the 40 Sniper Pack. While it was designed to carry a full length bolt gun vertically or at left or right canted. The kicker is that the users of these packs don’t have a primary duty as snipers but use accurized rifles in certain applications. They can carry the packs in the bag and get them into action very quickly but due to the means of carry they maintain a very low profile.

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This 40 liter pack weighs less than 4 lbs and is made of MultiCam face fabric reinforced with Cuben fibers. The secret sauce is the cradle that holds the action of the rifle in place. I’ve seen guys run with it and it is very stable. In addition to a EDMF frame sheet which has a great deal of vertical strength that doesn’t sacrifice lateral mobility, it also accept and old school ALICE frame for you Luddites out there.

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If you’re a customer for this pack, contact Cilo gear with your government email address for photos of it in use and additional information. This is not a standard production pack.

www.cilogear.com