Homemade gear goes ice climbing
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Some pictures of some of my homemade gear getting put to work on a recent ice climbing trip in New Hampshire. I haven't shown any pictures of these items before, so let me know if you want more detail about any of them!
Me cold chilling on the descent:
the crew getting ready to head out:
and this is not from this most recent trip but it's the same pack I climbed with:
and here's the pack I used for the approach, also from a different trip (please don't ban me from BPL for this size of this pack):
As requested, more info and pics!
The Gore-Tex pants were made using Peter Rabenold's Controlled Exposure pattern, CE55, with a few modifications:
-used waterproof zips on the pockets and removed the flap
-created a gusseted crotch and used the red material along the whole inner leg (the red is a Gore-Tex N2S (next to skin), which has a tricot laminated on both inside and outside of the membrance. The idea was that it would be more breathable there. Honestly I have no idea if it really is because I haven't done anything to really test the two fabric against each other.As with most things I make, I am about 80-90% satisfied with the first version. For example, the pants move pretty well, I like the pockets, I like the suspenders, I like the venting, but if I were to go back and make them again I would make them just a tiny bit bigger around the waist because they just little tight when I have a couple layers under them.
The gaiters are also from a Controlled Exposure pattern. I'm pretty happy with them, but I used a regular nylon web for the underfoot strap and tried to uber-waterproof it with silicone glue, but it still gets wet if I am in slushy snow, and then it can refreeze into this awful ball of ice under my foot. Next pair I will use some kind of totally waterproof strap material.
I'm actually 95% happy with the hoody – I like the snug fit, I love the hood, and the pockets make my hands happy, but I think I put the pockets just a bit higher than necessary. I wanted them out of the way of a hipbelt or harness, which they are, but I think they could be a couple inches lower and still clear.
The small pack I'm very happy with. After I made it I thought of an easier way to make a lid flap, but the one it has works really well as it is.
The big pack is about 85% there – it weighs about 2.5 pounds and carries about 50 lbs comfortably. With some thicker foam in the shoulder straps I think it could carry about 65 lbs comfortably without adding much weight. I do really, really love the Cilogear-style ice tool holders, and the front haul loop is probably my favorite pack feature ever – every future pack I make will definitely include one.
As for homemade ice screws…maybe after homemade cams, hexes, nuts, and rope…
On to the pics!
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