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ORSM 21 – Nanga Mountain Laboratory

Friday, August 13th, 2021

Nanga is a Japanese brand and NML is their research arm. Their new Level 8 sleeping bag is part of the High-End Model Series.

They’ve moved the zipper closer to the center of the bag to get it higher up off the ground and incorporated dual draft tubes. The individual baffles are each filled with different amounts of Ultra Dry Down, depending on where they are located in the bag, with vertical baffles along the backside.

These are serious bags for serious conditions. Look for two models with one going all the way down to -23 deg C.

Posted in Mountaineering, Outdoor Retailer, Shelter | 1 Comment »

Sterling Rope Company Launches Category Changing XEROS Technology: A Revolution in Dry Rope

Friday, July 30th, 2021

Sterling Rope Company is proud to announce the release of XEROS technology to most of their climbing ropes. XEROS is a new way to manufacture a UIAA Certified dry rope that is more effective, wear resistant, better for the environment, and at a lower cost. This also significantly reduces the number of SKUS and helps make the rope buying process easier on consumers and dealers. XEROS is exclusively available from Sterling Rope.

So, why are XEROS ropes so amazing?

Wet rope is weaker rope. The numbers don’t lie: Rope loses 20% to 40% of its strength when wet. And that can happen if you’re caught in a downpour, climbing an icy pitch, or even just dealing with prolonged exposure to high humidity.

The solution? Dry rope.

But it’s not a perfect solution. Traditional dry ropes are made “dry” with an exterior coating that keeps water out. That coating can wear (leaving the rope vulnerable to water), the finish can feel tacky (so it picks up dirt), and the process to coat the rope is labor-intensive—increasing cost and waste.

Sterling wanted to do better and went back to the drawing board for what a dry rope could be. In the process, they uncovered a whole new way to make dry rope.

This is XEROS technology

Through an exclusive partnership, Sterling spent the past three years working closely with their bluesign®-certified nylon yarn supplier to develop an entirely new way to create dry rope.

What Sterling created is not a coating applied to the rope, or a separate liquid bath treatment. It’s a new step in the manufacturing process of individual nylon fibers, before they’re even twisted into yarn, that makes each fiber water resistant. When making dry rope using these fibers, the result is a product that blows traditional dry rope out of the water.

“Overall, I am blown away by the performance of the XEROS dry treatment. There is simply not enough to be said about its quality. The DryXP NanoIX we’ve all used for a long time is already my preferred rope and I’m psyched to see it evolve to the next level with XEROS technology.”—Benny Lieber, Sterling Athlete and field tester

And that’s not the only thing that makes XEROS technology a breakthrough. Along with being PFOA-free, like all Sterling ropes, the XEROS technology process:

• Reduces waste
• Reduces energy use
• Reduces labor

In other words, this new process is better for the environment. And best of all, climbing rope with XEROS technology costs significantly less than rope made with traditional dry treatments. That’s right—there’s no premium to pay for a rope that’s truly ready for anything.

Stay strong in the wet

XEROS technology creates a dry rope with next-level performance—and without a sticky, vulnerable-to-wear outer coating. Because of the process, both the core and sheath are protected with XEROS, which reduces performance issues related to sheath slippage. All for a minimal price increase over traditional non-dry rope.

Sterling XEROS Ropes are available in:
• Duetto 8.4 mm
• Aero 9.2 mm
• IonR9.4mm
• Quest 9.6 mm
• Velocity 9.8 mm
• T-10 10.0 mm

Sterling Xeros Ropes will be available July 1, 2021 at REI, MEC and at SterlingRope.com. They will be available through all Sterling dealers starting September 1, 2021.

To hear more about Xeros, please check out this video by Sterling’s VP of Product and Marketing, Phil Shettig.

For more information, www.sterlingrope.com and www.verticalsupplygroup.com.

Posted in Mountaineering, Press Release | Comments Off on Sterling Rope Company Launches Category Changing XEROS Technology: A Revolution in Dry Rope

Atlas Devices – Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN

Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Atlas Devices has launched a blog series. Their first entry is “Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN” which takes look at the types of challenges facing electrical linemen.

Posted in Mountaineering, Training | Comments Off on Atlas Devices – Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN

10th SFG(A)’s Winter Warfare Detachment Introduces New Winter Training

Saturday, May 1st, 2021

FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Winter Warfare Detachment (WWD) at 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) introduced a new training course this year to expand on the unit’s winter operational capabilities. The development of this knowledge and skillset is essential to ensuring success in arctic missions.

The Winter Warfare Course (WWC) is designed to train, evaluate and certify Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alphas (SFOD-As) within 10th SFG(A). The training covered backcountry mobility, avalanche awareness and preparedness, winter survival, snowmobile operations and advanced riding techniques, and special operations small unit tactics on skis and snowmobiles.

“The course itself has been a natural progression for moving 10th Group forward. I believe that it is paramount that we continue to develop, expand and modernize our capabilities to operate in austere winter environments. Conducting ever-improving training in this spectrum will ensure that 10th SFG(A) remains the tip of the spear for winter warfighting capability,” said the WWD’s NCO in charge (NCOIC). “The Winter Warfare Detachment, our initial mission was to expand the expertise, knowledge and capability of cold weather training and operations within 10th Group.”

To facilitate the end state, the WWD initiated the Winter Mobility Instructor Course, now known as the Cold Weather Instructor Course (CWTIC). This course is designed to validate instructors who become CWT trainers, planners and facilitators at the battalion level.

“The CWTIC is designed to develop professional instructors for units using a standardized certifying course,” said the NCOIC. “They come to our course to be validated as cold weather training instructors and return to their units as capable instructors and leaders for their units’ CWT events.”

To increase 10th SFG(A)’s capabilities and further the arctic mission, the detachment implemented the WWC. Unlike the instructor course, the WWC is designed as a validation and training exercise for SFOD-As deploying to high north and arctic regions. It ensures that teams are operationally capable in these extreme cold weather environments, and are prepared for joint training exercises with their allies in the high north region.

The success of the WWC emphasizes the development, expansion and modernization of 10th SFG(A)’s capabilities to operate in austere winter environments. In the harsh climate of the high north and arctic regions, the ability to shoot, move and communicate becomes even more challenging. The WWC prepares Green Berets and Paratroopers for these operations, and focuses on the critical tasks needed in order to succeed.

“We need to maintain our expertise and our capability, and expand to ensure we are the best in operating in cold weather and high north regions, because that is our operational area. Our success depends on us having this expertise.”

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Public Affairs Office

Editor’s note: The full names and identifications of those serving in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) are withheld due to safety and security of the Soldiers and their Families.

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mountaineering, SOF, Training | 5 Comments »

Backcountry x Black Diamond GlideLite Skin

Saturday, March 6th, 2021

Backcountry teamed with Black Diamond to introduce the GlideLite Skin for ski touring big mountains.

It relies on a mohair nylon blend to balance gliding with reliable traction. The Universal tip attachment snaps onto the skin for tool-free setup and the STS tail system offers 10cm of adjustment for a secure fit. Includes a trimming tool to cut skins for a custom fit.

www.backcountry.com/backcountry-x-black-diamond-momix-skin

Posted in Mobility, Mountaineering | 5 Comments »

Modern War Institute Polar SOF Essay Contest

Monday, February 22nd, 2021

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in cooperation with the Modern War Institute and Project 6633, is pleased to announce an essay contest to generate new ideas and expand the community of interest for special operations in the polar regions.

Defending American strategic interests may require special operations in the polar regions. Whether in competition, crisis, or conflict, the polar regions’ extreme weather, natural resources, and diplomatic divisions present challenges to any operations. If special operations are to succeed in the polar regions, polar state actors must develop the appropriate mixture of force posture, equipping, and readiness. Polar nations will improve their competitiveness in these regions by drawing on history, experimentation, and exercises.

Topic

Essays must answer the following prompt: How can American special operations forces compete with near-peer adversaries in the polar regions?

This topic is broad. We encourage authors to clearly articulate a specific idea or concept in their response.

Eligibility

• Essays will be accepted from any person from any field, and submissions from non-US participants are welcomed.

• Up to two people may co-author an essay entry.

• Participants may submit only one entry to the competition.

• Essays must be original, unpublished, and not subject to publication elsewhere.

Submission Guidelines

• Essays will not exceed 1,000 words.

• Use the standard submission guidelines for the Modern War Institute.

• Email your entry to USASOC.10.SFG.Polarsofcontest.SHDMBX@socom.mil with “Polar SOF Contest” in the subject line. Once submitted, no edits, corrections, or changes are allowed.

• Submission deadline: essays will be accepted until 11:59 PM EDT on May 2, 2021.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a team from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the Modern War Institute, and Project 6633. Submissions will be assessed based on how well and creatively they address the topic of the contest and provoke further thought and conversation, as well as their suitability for publication by the Modern War Institute (e.g., style, sources, accessibility, etc.). See evaluation questions below:

• Does the essay clearly define a problem and present a solution?

• Does the essay show thoughtful analysis?

• Does the essay inject new provocative thinking or address areas where there needs to be more discussion?

• Does the essay demonstrate a unique approach or improve current initiatives?

• Does the essay take lessons from history and apply them to today’s challenges?

• Does the essay propose a project or concept that could realistically be applied by the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) or Army Special Operations?

• Does the essay demonstrate knowledge of relevant existing writing on polar operations and challenges?

• Is the essay logically organized, well written, and persuasive?

The commander of 10th Special Forces Group and Project 6633 co-directors will make the final judgement for the contest.

Winning Submissions

The top three essays will be announced publicly, and will be published by the Modern War Institute.

Depending on the evaluation of the Modern War Institute editorial team, revisions may be required before publication.

By MWI Staff

Image credit: US SOCEUR

Posted in Guest Post, Mountaineering, Profession of Arms, SOF | 3 Comments »

SOFWERX Seeks Arctic Warfare Solutions for Tech Tuesday

Friday, February 5th, 2021

SOFWERX, in concert with USSOCOM, will host upcoming Tech Tuesday sessions focused on current transformational technologies to assist with operations in arctic climates.

Submit your Arctic Transformational Technology NLT 12 February 11:59 PM ET, at sofwerx.org/techtuesday,

Posted in Mountaineering, SOF | 2 Comments »

Anderson Rescue Solutions – Magnapulley

Monday, February 1st, 2021

The patent-pending ARS Magnapulley is a Double Sheave Pulley that splits apart into two Single Sheave Pulleys.

With two sets in your kit, you’ve got access to 2 Doubles, 1 Double and 2 Singles, or 4 Singles allowing you to construct 1×1, 2×1, 3×1 Z, 3×1 B&T, 4×1 B&T, 5×1 B&T, 6×1 Tripod Pass Through, and 9×1 Mechanical Advantage systems.

Although some kits are available with Magnapulley included, they are a fairly inexpensive addition to your existing gear.

They are made from 7075 Aluminum and the two individual pulleys are held together by four Neodymium Magnets embedded in the back plate.

Strength Ratings:
-Double Pulley 3 Sigma Strength Rating: 40kN
-Single Pulley 3 Sigma Strength Rating: 28kN
-Double Pulley Becket 3 Sigma Strength Rating: 50kN
-Single Pulley Becket 3 Sigma Strength Rating: 26kN

Here’s a pretty complex application, a 5:1 mechanical advantage system using Magnapulley.

An important note: Magnapulley is tested to and exceeds the NFPA Standard 1983 (2017 ed) for Technical use. But the are *NOT NFPA CERTIFIED*. This is because of their type and not because they can’t pass.

Learn more at andersonrescue.com.

Posted in Mountaineering | 7 Comments »