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Misty Mountain’s Cadillac Tactical Harness Now Available in MultiCam

Monday, October 28th, 2013

Misty Mountain Threadworks has begun offering a MultiCam hybrid Cadillac Tactical climbing harness for military and tactical climbers looking for a comfortable, durable, lightweight harness for climbing and rappelling. The Cadillac Tactical was chosen by the US Army for the new SOF Squad Mountain Leader Kit. It features double buckle adjustability and adjustable leg loops. Four gear loops are load rated to prevent premature failure, and leg loops feature strong auto-block loops for rappel backup. Wide, padded waist belt and leg loops and comfortable Misty Mountain design make this harness suitable for extended hang time. The Cadillac Tactical has passed requirements for the UIAA Safety Label and is rated to 15 kN. Contact Goose Kearse – goose@mistymountain.com – if you have questions or would like to purchase the Cadillac Tactical in MultiCam hybrid, or in solid colors Coyote Brown or Black.

Misty Mountain Cadillac Tactical climbing harness is designed and made in the USA exclusively by Misty Mountain Threadworks, Inc., and Berry Amendment Compliant.

Tags: Misty Mountain
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ISH Urban Belt and Ultralight Urban Leg Loops from Misty Mountain

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Misty Mountain has some new lightweight climbing gear that is finding some fans. The ISH Urban Belt and Ultralight Urban Leg Loops in MultiCam provide a low profile, scalable, integrated personal protection system that’s popular with PJs and SF operators for use in in rotary wing aircraft. The ISH Urban Belt features a quick release bayonet style AustriAlpin Cobra buckle. The 3,000 lbs rated belt has a clean Velcro tail closure, side gear loop and Velcro Fi-Fi hook tab, along with front and dorsal reinforced attachment loops. The belt is comprised of dual layer MultiCam pattern woven 1.75” nylon webbing sandwiched around HDPE for stiffness. When matched with the ISH Ultralight Urban Leg Loops, the harness is rated to 3,600 lbs (16 kN). The leg loops feature lightweight MultiCam pattern woven 2” nylon webbing with side auto-block loops and quick release AustriAlpin 1” buckles, and weigh in at a scant 7.8 oz. Utilizing the included auto lock carabiner, the leg loops can be mounted around the waist until needed, and then quickly deployed. Developed by Misty Mountain and a retired USAF PJ, ISH is the name for the Integrated Stealth Harness which also includes the ISH Chest Harness and ISH Tethers. Selected by USSOCOM for inclusion in the TCCC CASEVAC Extraction system, ISH is Made in the USA exclusively by Misty Mountain.

www.MistyMountain.com

Tags: Misty Mountain
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EdgeGuard from CTOMS

Friday, September 27th, 2013

The EdgePro™ provides a light weight and compact solution for rope edge protection. Moldable to edge shapes with ToughTek backing helps keep the EdgePro™ in place. Grommets at the corners allow for daisy chaining together or securing to prevent it from falling. Padded buffers on the sides prevent the rope from slipping off. SuperFabric® swatch on the rope track provide an excellent friction free surface for the running rope while adding significant durability to prevent the rope from burning through.

ctoms.ca/products/edgepro

Tags: CTOMS
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TRACE Systems Silver Kit from CTOMS

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Once again, CTOMS introduces a product designed specifically designed for military mountaineering applications.

The newest addition to their TRACE™ (Tactical Rope Access & Confined Extraction) Systems line is the Silver Kit, the Tactical Assault Climber’s Gear Loop Kit designed for use with the M-HARNESS but also compatible with any 1-3/4″ belt (riggers belt). Btw, we hear CTOMS has new M-HARNESS designs and accessories in the works

They’ve already demonstrated that commercially colored gear will highlight a climber on a wall. Like other CTOMS TRACE™ Systems, the new Silver Kit is offered in MultiCam.

Check out the full data sheet here.

SILVER Kit by CTOMS Inc.

www.CTOMS.ca

Tags: CTOMS
Posted in Mountaineering | 5 Comments »

SCARPA Defender Alpine Touring Boot

Monday, August 12th, 2013

Earlier this year I attended a military mountaineering seminar. One of the issues mentioned was the lack of specialized mountain and ski boots for military applications. Then, at OR just a few weeks ago, I was introduced to some folks at Scarpa who have been building specialized footwear for various international military units.

The SCARPA Defender is an alpine touring boot based on the F1 concept and designed for the demands of high-mountain skiing and climbing. The Defender features a shell, cuff, and tongue made from 100% Pebax, a high performance thermoplastic elastomer. It also incorporates a Tour Lite Tech (TLT) binding system, and uses a Cordura liner. Available in Euro sizes 41-47, the Defender’s product code is 12156/551-Blk-(size). Last but not least, notice the color scheme.

www.scarpa.com/

Tags: SCARPA
Posted in Boots, Mountaineering | 7 Comments »

Outdoor Retailer – Sterling Rope

Monday, August 5th, 2013

There are two types of rope; Dynamic Kern Mantle that is used for climbing and stretches to absorb the energy of a fall and Static which is used for rescue work, rappelling and hauling because there is little to no stretch.

Search and Rescue teams constantly demand that industry push the envelope, balancing size and weight of ropes with performance. Sterling offers the TechStatic line to satisfy these requirements. It incorporates Technora offering increased abrasion, cut and heat resistance.

TechStatic offers three different diameters as standard ropes. From right to left, the largest is a 9.5mm called the Tactical Response which offers 27kn of strength. Basically, the same strength as a more traditional 11mm rope. Next is the 7.5mm. It’s a 25kn rope utilizing 100% Technora fibers and integrates perfectly with the F4 escape system. That’s a mini evacuation or access system. It’s often used by Snipers to get in and out of remote hides. Finally, the 6mm rope is used when space and weight are at a premium. Offering 15.5kn, you still get a 10-to-1 safety advantage.

All of the Sterling ropes are offered in various color schemes. Additionally, Sterling has a more extensive line of ropes for more specialized applications. All Strerling Rope Co ropes are Made in USA.

www.SterlingRope.com

Tags: Sterling Rope
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Outdoor Retailer – Salewa

Sunday, August 4th, 2013

We’ve covered most of Salewa’s boot offering in the past so we thought it would be cool to mention a couple of their shoes.

Ramble GTX

New for Spring 14, the Ramble is Italian made with Italian leather and the new cutting edge Gore-tex Surround Membrane. This offers something never seen before; a waterproof breathable sole. The membrane is protected by a Kevlar mesh weave.

You’ll definitely see some Mountain DNA in the Ramble GTX, but it’s a casual shoe. There’s lacing to toe, I can’t believe that they are offering an Italian made shoe with Italian leather and a Gore membrane for only $149 retail. Amazing!

Firetail Evo

Redesigned for 2014, the four-year-old Firetail was Salewa’s tech approach shoe. They’ve lightened it a bit and updated to the new three-piece insole. Offered in Gore-tex and non-Gore-tex models in two colorschemes each.

www.salewa.com

-Laurice Graves
Laurice is a Navy Veteran who serves as Den Mother to the SSD crew and provides trade show coverage.

Tags: Salewa
Posted in Boots, Mountaineering, Outdoor Retailer | 4 Comments »

GRIMP DAY Canadian Style

Sunday, July 14th, 2013

Earlier today, Arc’teryx shared a story about Canada’s RONIN Rescue being the first North American team to compete in the annual GRIMP DAY (Group de Recconnaissance Interventione Millieux Perilleux) held in Belgium. This year’s event was in June and saw 34 international teams of rescue workers consisting of police, army, and civil defense experts competing in a number of rope rescue scenarios.

If I’d say, I have one take away from the article, it would be, “Vive le Difference”. Not only do we have different protocols here in Canada and the US than those in Europe but the environments are somewhat different as well. Differences in TTPs served as both help and hindrance for Team RONIN Rescue. Initially, the them used North American safety protocols to rig their systems but found themselves falling behind by mid-day as they negotiated six different scenarios. But their different point of view also helped them.

“There’s no wide stairways and elevator access to transport your gear; anchor points are very different. So we adapted,’ explains team leader Kevin Ristau. “For example, we approached a parking lot extraction like a confined space scenario, raising and lowering our patient on a 4:1 mechanical advantage system. No other team even thought to approach the location in that manner. We gained time with that one.’

As for how Arc’teryx fits in to, they provided some great clothing for the team.

This kind of out of the box thinking is what Arc’teryx is all about. “These guys operate at the very highest level of skills and resourcefulness. It’s a privilege to work with them,’ says James Bronson, Arc’teryx Pro and Industry Sales Supervisor. Bronson supported each member of the team with a Heli Guide Jacket in addition to the Talos LT Halfshell and Drac Pant from Arc’teryx LEAF (Law Enforcement Armed Forces).

To read the whole piece visit www.arcteryx.com/Article.aspx?EN&article=GRIMP-DAY-Canadian-Style

-L Graves

Tags: Ronin Rescue
Posted in Arc'teryx, International, Mountaineering | 2 Comments »