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Just Out - October 2009 - 279
Six mad-cool new gearios to steer you through autumn.
Shown here is the new MAD ROCK OVAL TWIST-LOCK ($11.95, madrockclimbing.com). |
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 Beacon Salvation
Whether you’re an alpinist, backcountry skier, or traveler, many savvy explorers now rock personal locator beacons, to call the cavalry in emergencies (storm, injury, getting lost, etc.). A light (10oz), super-reliable option is the ACR MICROFIX 406 GPS PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACON ($599, acrelectronics.com).  Fuel Economy
The original Fuel, introduced in 2007, quickly became a go-to headlamp, with a sturdy, lightweight, and functional design at a friendly price. The new PRINCETON TEC FUEL ($26.99, princetontec.com), however, keeps the same price but adds a fourth 5mm Ultrabright LED, upping the brightness by 10 lumens.  Stone-Cold Modern
A few weekends ago, while prying choss off a new route, I sliced a finger on a razor arête, opening a gnarly, gushing five-stitcher. A pair of BLACK DIAMOND EQUIPMENT STONE ROCK GLOVES ($39.95, bdel.com) would have saved my bacon. I’ve since had a chance to use these goat-leather gloves belaying, jugging, and drilling.  Mad Props
I love my pear-shaped twist-lockers, but they could stand to slim down. With a streamlined size and versatile shape, the new MAD ROCK OVAL TWIST-LOCK ($11.95, madrockclimbing.com) fits the bill nicely, weighing only 2oz thanks to I-beam construction. Although ovals have traditionally been weaker than asyms, the Oval Twist-Lock rates at a burly 23kN/ 7kN/7kN.  Mythic Wool
In Greek mythology, Aries was the ram that yielded the Golden Fleece. The merino wool/nylon blend comprising THE NORTH FACE ARIES HYBRID 1/4 ZIP ($99, thenorthface.com) is likewise magical: it offers exceptional thermoregulation, dries quickly, and doesn’t hold odor.  A Breed Apart
Fear the flare, that heartbreaker placement which accepts just two cam lobes, leaving the others to skitter. Or, fear it no more, thanks to the hyper-engineered METOLIUS CLIMBING OFFSET MASTER CAMS ($59.95, metoliusclimbing.com), specialized tools for non-uniform cracks, flared placements, and pin scars (“manmade flares”). |
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