nothing. useless crap weighs you down and slows you down.
Especially on some of the long approaches in Red Rocks, last time I was there it seems like we hiked an hour each way nearly every day.
Always always always cary a headlamp, even if you think you'll only be out for a few hours starting in the morning. You really do never know.
Also unless it is the peak of summer (where the nights only get down to 90 degrees) always bring something warm to put on. I always have a knit cap and a fleece at a min.
I should probably leave my hiking sword with the packs, eh?
DMT
my friends used to tell me that until one day, we got attacked by the black night. I was successfully able to fend him off with my sword, they dont give me shit about it anymore.
I just about wet myself when I read this... thank you for making my day!
I'm guilty of always taking twice the amount of gear required to a crag. I don't actually climb with it.... but I take it with me just in case.
nothing. useless crap weighs you down and slows you down.
Especially on some of the long approaches in Red Rocks, last time I was there it seems like we hiked an hour each way nearly every day.
Always always always cary a headlamp, even if you think you'll only be out for a few hours starting in the morning. You really do never know.
Also unless it is the peak of summer (where the nights only get down to 90 degrees) always bring something warm to put on. I always have a knit cap and a fleece at a min.
Maybe the headlamp, although I climb alot without my head lamp and I haven't had any problems yet.
It's ideas like this though, Always carry.... anything, that are what you have to get rid of to really go light and fast, it's more of a mindset than anything, and when in red rocks, I do often carry a headlamp, but you have to question everything.
Always always always cary a headlamp, even if you think you'll only be out for a few hours starting in the morning. You really do never know.
the petzl e-lite is a nice thing to have in this case. i keep it packed with my 4oz golite shell, which stays clipped to my harness at all times. 5oz of the best insurance out there.
In reply to:
Also unless it is the peak of summer (where the nights only get down to 90 degrees) always bring something warm to put on. I always have a knit cap and a fleece at a min.
actually, i'll disagree here to a point. in decent weather (spring and fall), if the low temps arent that cool- a wind proof shell is adequate. they provide a surprising amount of warmth in a pinch, but take up little space and weigh next to nothing.
The Petzl e-lite, two short prussik loops, and a small knife have taken up permanent residence in my chalk bag's zipper pocket. Just leaving them there seems to be the only way I can be sure I won't forget them, but this means they accompany me up fearsome 40' routes in the gym as well as 90' routes at Ragged and 180' routes in the Gunks.
The light has definitely justified its permanent residence status more than once (including in the gym after lightning knocked out the lights), I've never needed the prussik loops, and the knife has been employed once every several years.
Now if you wanted to broaden the question to "useless crap you hike to the bottom of the climb with,'' I could expand on the subject considerably.
I did Snake Dike with one in my pack and when my partner saw it, he said "Are you nuts? You know there's a pit in there, right? That's like 2 ounces you have to carry out!"
I did Snake Dike with one in my pack and when my partner saw it, he said "Are you nuts? You know there's a pit in there, right? That's like 2 ounces you have to carry out!"
Me: Have some avocado.
Partner: Mmm. Ok, this is really good.
Thats classic! After having recently finished that route, Yes I can say 2 ounces I would sweat over, and yes also, after those 1000' of slabs I would sure appreciate having carried it.
I just recently took a can of Peach Halves for a ride up Intersection rock this last weekend. He had a good time, until I eated it.
I'm not that useless. Someone needs to be ropegun.
Screw rope gun, I need a beer gun. Them twist offs hurt my sensitive hands. Promise to be my beer gun and I'll never ask you to lead the hard pitches again.
I'm not that useless. Someone needs to be ropegun.
Screw rope gun, I need a beer gun. Them twist offs hurt my sensitive hands. Promise to be my beer gun and I'll never ask you to lead the hard pitches again.
I once saw a group of young bucks toproping at Cooper's Rocks in WV. We were in an area with a casual walk to the road that might take five minutes, yet the majority of them had headlamps strapped to their helmets. It was midmorning in the middle of summer. Most lines there top out under 35', so the risk of being benighted is pretty low.
They might have been preparing for a lengthy rescue operation. They repeatedly rigged single-point anchors, dangerously cross-loaded biners, etc. Despite several warnings and friendly offers to help, they were sure they were getting along fine.