| Beginner's
Seconding Kit: Beginners
are well advised not to invest in leading
gear initially until they have learnt to place
gear by borrowing other people's and receiving
instruction (either from friends or professionals).
A rackful of nuts and camming devices can
give a dangerous illusion of safety if it
is not combined with sufficient knowhow on
safe placements. In addition to the following: |
| Harness |
1
|
| Rockshoes |
Pair
|
| Belay
Device |
1
|
| HMS Screwgate
Karabiner for
use with the belay device |
1
|
| Chalkbag
and
a chalk ball to and waist cord to go with
it |
1
|
| The
beginner seconding climbs will need: |
| Helmet |
1
|
| Gear
Proddler
and Karabiner
to hang it on |
1
of each
|
| Prussik Loops |
set of 2 |
| Screwgate Karabiners for belays and prusiking |
2
|
| Sling (120cm long) for belays and prusiking. |
1 |
Click
for a Printable
Gear List.
|
|
Jilly Reid on Oxford & Cambridge Ordinary (D), Grey Crag, Buttermere
|
|
Above:
Jilly Reid leading the crux top pitch of Troutdale
Pinnacle (S), Borrowdale
|
|
| Beginner's
Leading Rack: As
a basic leading rack for leading short pitches/routes*
up to VS level, in addition to: |
| Harness |
1
|
| Rockshoes |
Pair
|
| Belay
Device |
1
|
| Screwgate
Karabiner for
use with the belay device |
1
|
| Chalkbag
and
a chalk ball to and waist cord to go with
it |
1
|
| Helmet |
1
|
| Gear
Proddler
and Karabiner
to hang it on |
1
of each
|
| Prussik
Loops |
set
of two
|
| Rope |
50m
"single"
|
| required
for seconding, we would suggest the following
as a suitable starting rack:
|
| Wires:
Set of Wild Country Rocks 1 - 10 |
1
|
| Nuts:
Sizes 5 - 8 Wild Country Rockcentrics on Dyneema
tape |
1
of each
|
| Quickdraws:
Long (15 - 20cm) are better than short (10cm)
as they do not tend to lift the gear out so
easily. Short quick draws are more suited
to bolt protected routes and climbing walls. |
minimum
of 4
|
| Slings:
For spikes, threads, extensions and tree belays.
It is worth making sure all your slings are
diffent colours as it makes untangling them
much easier. |
two
short (60cm) &
two long (120cm)
|
| Karabiners:
For equipping slings and nuts etc. 'Krabs'
come with straight, bent or wire gates. If
you're not sure, straight are a safe choice. |
minimum of 10
|
| Screwgate
Karabiners:
For setting up belays with. |
minimum
of 2
|
| Whilst
we would recommend adding further wires and
quickdraws first, there is always the possibility
of buying some Camming
Devices (Friends), as you can afford
them. |
| *NB
Most climbers operating regularly at this
level would carry more gear than this. Please
see Advanced
Climbing Gear for further advice.
|
|
 |
Left:
John Ellis leading the final pitch of Bridges
Route (HS), Eskdale
|
At
Needle Sports we are always happy to advise - please
bring in your rack and we will look through it and discuss
your needs with you. Also check out what Andy Kirkpatrick has to say on the subject on his website, Psychovertical.com.
Click
for a Printable
Gear List.
Click
for a site with some useful diagrams of Climbers'
Knots.
| Climb
if you will, but remember that courage and
strength are nought without prudence, and
that a momentary negligence may destroy the
happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste;
look well to each step; and from the beginning
think what may be the end. |
|
Edward
Whymper |
|
|
