The Climbers' 10 Essentials

How bout a funky look at the survival equipment for climbs:

1. Rope, Rack, & the Shirt on Your Back - meaning plan appropriate technical equipment for the route in question, educate on technical skill sets, and practice ability to climb the route.

2. Appropriate clothing - the waterproof layer is most what I run into a need for. But, alpine & ice, yes to layering with insulation layer.

3. Attentive belayer & "agreeable" climbing partner - meaning safe partner that understands risk & how to solve problems without flipping out on the vertical.

4. Navigational - Route info, topos, protection beta, & weather report. (Approach map & compass, GPS -- depends on the situation/commitment grade) -- I'll throw a small cell phone in here also (& headlamp w/ batteries, see below comments).

5. Utility Equip - Knife, Nut Tool (trad'n. -- sport'n probably don't need most this stuff anyhoo), V-thread/screw cleaner, (also maybe hammer & drilling equipment -- situation dependent).

6. Bail Gear - can work in conjunction with #1, but also can incorporate a few additional small nuts, maybe some webbing (1" webbing I have found quite useful - kinda like WD40 or duct tape)

7. Personal Protection - gloves, helmet, knee pads, tape, eye wear -- all of which depend on the situation, but only a fool would climb ice, alpine, or lead runout without a helmet.

8. First Aid - Ace bandage (Thanks Jerome!) & tape/webbing. I also bring just a small small kit - aspirin, a couple band aids, Sam Splint.

9. Elemental Protection - Sun protection, yes. The days I didn't have it, I regretted it. I'm also going to throw the bivy sack, sleeping bag, &/or shelter in here (dependent on route committment).

10. Beer & Tequila (can be in car, but a definite for the finish line) -- otherwise: Food & Water! I've also brought an extra liter of gatorade sometimes just to combat dehydration; most of the time at the base if not a committing route. If on a committing route, then a kegger is on! (or bring more water)

Anyways, a start -- offer anything.

Headlamp, could fit into one of your categories.

I know it sounds dorky, cellphones can be a good idea. Keep it for emergencies however. If someone is leading and your stupid ringtone goes off, you're gonna look like a hole.

And at least someone is gonna say some weed is totally essential, so I'm saying it first(though I usually leave it at home).

Oh yeah, purple bandanna. Never leave the ground without it. That way you're lookin good while epicing mightily.

Even though its been years, weed is the first thing I thought of!

Two headlamps on me in case someone drops theirs, it fails, or my partner didn't bring one.

Two copies of the beta on me; in case my partner or I drop it, or the wind blows it out of the hands.

I always ask where my partner put the car keys, if I drove up with them in their vehicle. I tell them where my keys are if I drove. I also ask where their wallet is kept, and how much money they have on them(kidding on the $$!)

My cell phone doesn't work in the canyons of Red Rock, so I don't bring one up the routes.

Always a really good sunscreen stick that I carry up the route, and reapply often. I share with my partners too, if they want.

As much sun protection clothing as necessary (i.e., long sleeve shirt SPF 30+) if climbing in direct sunlight.

Some other little things in my pockets that are of less importance to my partner, but make me happy. (girl stuff)

Lots of fluids; to leave at the base, and enough for the climb. I usually have a spare bottle of water or gatorade for my partner at the base, if they should need it. I also like to have some water, and gatorade left in the vehicle for the drive out too, especially during the summer.

Spare junk food for two at the base.

And, lots of the important stuff Mark mentioned.

For some odd reason, after a long day of climbing, I crave a small bag of Doritos (preferably Nacho Cheese) and a can of regular Coke...so those are essentials that are left in the car.

I also like to have a few of those D-rings that you can get at the hardwear store as part of the leaver gear package.

I try to rack as much of my partner's gear (especially cams) as is possible if there is a good chance we will have to bail on the route. ;)

Weed, the eleventh ten essentials.

Mark Nelson wrote:(trad'n. -- sport'n probably don't need most this stuff anyhoo)

The ten essentials for a day of climbing at Rumney:

1. Harness, rope, chalkbag: the standard stuff

2. Two pairs of shoes: one pair for warmup (usually comfortable), one pair for the project (excruciatingly tight)

3. Skin kit: includes tape, nail clippers, Crazy Glue, and pre tape spray.

4. Knee pad with sticky rubber.

5. Big roll of duct tape: to secure #4 to leg

6. Cell phone to communicate with friends so as to cut down on needless hiking between crags.

7. Ibuprophen (no explanation needed)

8. Stick clip: to clip first bolt and/or to hang crux draw

9. Camera: used to effectively communicate our coolness to friends who couldn't be there. Cell phone (see #6) can also be used for this purpose.

10. Rubbing alcohol. To dry out hands before the redpoint burn. Also used to clean shoes before project.

Yea, The headlamp (& batteries), put it in with Navigational.

Cool take on the sport'n view; all of which a sport climber will most assuredly meet their fate should they lack any!

Weed I can put in three or so categories; but for me I don't need it for my 11th:

The 11th - PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. A psycho lead climber that can gain route position. A belayer that can calm nerves. A team that can interchange positions, solve problems, enact a plan, & adjust a plan.

btw - isn't that supposed to be "prodigious amounts of really bad weed"?

11. Three-in-one mototroil.
12. Ball bearings
13. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads. And I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

Essentials for a day of winter climbing at Rumney

1) Expedition puffy coat with hood
2) Two hats, one on top of the other
3) Jump rope (to get you warm before you climb)
4) Thermos full of hot tea
5) A pack cover (keeps your extra clothes from getting wet when the sun melts the top layer of snow)
6) One pair thin liner socks; one pair extra thick socks; one extra first layer
7) One hand warmer and two foot warmers (the 8+ hour variety)
8) Ice screws to hold crash pads in place beneath route
9) Vinatge ice tool with hammer (to break the ice off of the jump roping rock)
10)Camera to video tape your friends as they wipe out belaying or reach the highway at the end of the day by summersaulting off small cliffs.

1. a clue

2. common sense

3-10. see 1 and 2.

1. Rocks
2. More rocks
3. Even more rocks
I guess that there are only three essentials for climbing

I've edited my #5 to Utility Equipment to include v-threader & #9 to Elemental Protection so as to include shelter items for a committing route.

Good stuff on the other forays of climbing; keep the funk rollin. -- leaver biners/rings, yea that's a good one too, should work into Bail Gear.

i found booze to also help on route. manly to have courage at the crux.

I must admit, I DO have one "dig me" bumper sticker

It reads: "The American Alpine Club -- Knowledge, Conservation, Community".

Hi Mark,
That particular bumber sticker is an acceptable infraction.
I have a Mountain Project dig me sticker. I will add it to my climbing wall.
From what Matt Samet explained to me, Climbing bumper stickers are a tip to law enforcement that there is the presence of cannabis in the vehicle.

Mark, hey what about a change for 1 to "a rope, a rack, a pack on your back?" :>)

shoot yea! But, where's the rope?

Ah... It's IN the pack; should you need to get down for a beer and a burger.

OK, I am still a hack with the quoting stuff, but I think Gigette had one of the best points: where are the car keys anyway? ...mmmmmmmm 11th essential... huh?????

Jim Matt wrote:For some odd reason, after a long day of climbing, I crave a small bag of Doritos (preferably Nacho Cheese) and a can of regular Coke...so those are essentials that are left in the car. I also like to have a few of those D-rings that you can get at the hardwear store as part of the leaver gear package. I try to rack as much of my partner's gear (especially cams) as is possible if there is a good chance we will have to bail on the route. ;)

My wife would agree 100% to this one. I really only feel strongly about 1. Brain
2.headlamp (so i can find 1.)
3.luck (so i can live long enough to use 1. and 2.)

Tom Hanson wrote:Hi Mark, That particular bumber sticker is an acceptable infraction. I have a Mountain Project dig me sticker. I will add it to my climbing wall. From what Matt Samet explained to me, Climbing bumper stickers are a tip to law enforcement that there is the presence of cannabis in the vehicle.

As a non-smoker, I make sure to completely slather any vahicle I drive in Dig-me stickers. This works to keep the fuzz off of all my smokin bruthas!