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Too cold to climb

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K2tbui · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 56

I am heading to RR for New Years 1-3 jan. Weather projected to be in the 30-40s. Too cold to climb?

Marlin Thorman · · Spokane, WA · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 2,415

I would say that is a personal choice. I have been on several climbing trips were we woke up every morning with frost all over the tent and temps in the high 20s. We just bundled up, found something in the sun, and had a good time.

Ryan M Moore · · Philadelphia, PA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

I don't know if that's true dylan b aluminiumdesign.net/why-alu…

Ryan M Moore · · Philadelphia, PA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

No offense but I think one anecdote of seeing a carabiner break when dropped doesn't provide sufficient evidence to contradict material sciences research. I guess you're never going to go ice climbing?

Thomas Carson · · Jackson, WY · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 91
Dylan B. wrote:Definitely too cold to climb. When temps get that low aluminum gets brittle and it increases the risk of microfractures in your caribiners.
This is not true. It is of steel and some other metals, but aluminum does not get brittle as the temperature decreases.

Dylan B. wrote:No, it's true. I once saw a brand new quickdraw dropped from the first bolt of a sport climb and both of the 'biners snapped in half when they hit the ground. It was only about 45º that day. The aluminum couldn't take the cold.
Then why are ice axes made of aluminum? or ice screws? or ice tools?
Ryan M Moore · · Philadelphia, PA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

Low-Temperature Properties. Aluminum alloys represent a very important class of structural metals for subzero-temperature applications and are used for structural parts for operation at temperatures as low as -270oC.

Below zero, most aluminum alloys show little change in properties; yield and tensile strengths may increase; elongation may decrease slightly; impact strength remains approximately constant. Consequently, aluminum is useful material for many low-temperature applications.

Scottmx426 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

Just consider jet liners which are made of alluminum. I believe climbing gear is of the same type of alluminum. Aircraft are subjected to many cycles of cooling and warming around -50 degrees and the wings don't snap off. Surely someone will chime in to include numbers on this.

Not too cold. Grab a hand full of hand warmers for in your pockets and chalk bag. VERY nice to have on climbs that are cold.

Human coccyx was once a tail and haven't you see the walking progression posters where apes turn into humans? Totally true! Ha!

Leslie H · · Keystone · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 415

I am in Jtree now. It won't be an option after tomorrow. Its very cold here and chasing sun is an option but the forecast here is also calling for snow NYE. Not sure anything in the region will be climbable after Tuesday:(

Scottmx426 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

Edit: nummy num nums!

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Dylan B. wrote: No, it's true. I once saw a brand new quickdraw dropped from the first bolt of a sport climb and both of the 'biners snapped in half when they hit the ground. It was only about 45º that day. The aluminum couldn't take the cold.
Wow. Multiple hits on the same bit of chum...and it was hook, line, and sinker for some big ones.
I'm impressed.
marty funkhouser · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 20
Marc801 wrote: Wow. Multiple hits on the same bit of chum...and it was hook, line, and sinker for some big ones. I'm impressed.
It's too cold to be using hooks and sinkers right now. The metal will explode the second it hits the water.
Derek Doucet · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 66
Dylan B. wrote: It's my understanding that lead and steel (sinkers and hooks) have a better resistance to cold temperatures than aluminum.
Bored, Dylan? This is full on "fish in a barrel" type stuff. Show some mercy on them...
Aleks Zebastian · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 175

YOU ARE GOING TO BE HAVING OF THE DYING!!

Ray Lovestead · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 108

From a metallurgical article:

Properties of Aluminum Alloys at Low Temperatures

Abstract:

Mechanical and physical properties of aluminum and aluminum alloys change when working temperature change from room temperature down to freezing. These changes are more intensive compared to another materials such as steel and others. Changes of properties of aluminum alloys with temperature depend on chemical composition and temper. The 7xxx series of age-hardenable alloys that are based on the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu system develop the highest room-temperature tensile properties of any aluminum alloys produced from conventionally cast ingots. However, the strength of these alloys declines rapidly if they are exposed to lower temperatures due mainly to coarsening of the fine precipitates on which the alloys depend for their strength. Alloys of the 2xxx series such as 2014 and 2024 perform better above these temperatures but are not normally used for elevated-temperature applications.

Mechanical and physical properties of aluminum and aluminum alloys change when working temperature change from freezing (0oC) to elevated temperatures (max. 400oC). Aluminum temper can change to cause terminal failure at given stress loads that would not fail at room temperature.

Ray

Garret Nuzzo Jones · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 1,436

This thread is pure gold.

tenpins · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 30
Dylan B. wrote:But I seen it with my own two eyes, I did. Shattered both the caribiners into a hundred parts. Who am I gonna trust? Some anonymous science website or my own two eyes? They probably believe humans come from monkeys when anyone with two eyes can see monkeys got tails and humans don't.
no you're correct. thats why ironworkers dont work when it is this cold (in CO currently) because the steel structure of the buildings is too fragile (frah-gee-lay) to walk on
Aleks Zebastian · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 175

In Norway we climb cold carabiners, cold cams, and it do no break, and all while having the cold nuts also!

Clint Helander · · Anchorage, AK · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 612

way to hijack this thread, Dylan. Refer to guideline #1.

Hank Caylor · · Livin' in the Junk! · Joined Dec 2003 · Points: 643

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K2tbui · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 56

This is awesome. Ha ha. Thanks for the cold weather advice along with the long string of metal physics lesson.

K2tbui · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 56

This is awesome. Ha ha. Thanks for the cold weather advice along with the long string of metal physics lesson.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Nevada
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