NEEDLE SPORTS

56 Main St, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JS, UK

tel:017687 72227 email:info@needlesports.com

fax:017687 75593 website:www.needlesports.com

BEGINNER'S SECONDING KIT

*The items marked thus would be needed for climbing walls with the addition of short extenders and rope in some instances (eg Penrith). For Penrith Wall 25m 11mm rope is sufficient.

Harness*

Make sure it fits well and that there is still room to tighten it around the waist if need be.

Rockboots*

Stiff soled with good edges eg Scarpa Helix are best for starting.

Helmet

Fibre glass or carbon fibre are longer lasting and stronger than plastic, but you will probably wear the plastic one more as it will be much more comfortable!

Belay Plate*

The spring Sticht plate is a well-proven, foolproof design that can be used for twin ropes and abseils. A more modern choice would be the Black Diamond ATC-XP which provides better braking effect than most modern belay plates whilst still being very smooth.

Large Screwgate Karabiner*

For use with belay plate. Most people use an HMS, but a large Offset D is just as good.

Gear proddler (and small karabiner)

For retrieving jammed gear.

Prussik Loops, long sling and three small screwgate karabiners

For ascending a fixed rope in an emergency.

Chalk-bag and chalk plus 1m 5mm cord*

The waist cord can be used to abseil from in an emergency.

BEGINNER'S LEADING RACK:

As a basic leading rack for leading short pitches/routes** up to VS level we would suggest the following in addition to the above:-

Set of Wild Country Rocks

1 - 10 for narrow cracks.

Rockcentrics 6 - 9 for wide cracks

Rockcentrics are very versatile and a lot cheaper than Friends.

Six 20cm nylon/dyneema extenders (complete with krabs) for extending wires

Longer extenders are better for real (trad) crags as they do not lift gear out.

Two long (120cm) narrow nylon/dyneema slings

For spikes, threads and extensions.

Two short (60cm) narrow nylon/dyneema slings

Different coloured slings make untangling them easier.

Sixteen straight and/or bent/wire gate karabiners

To go on slings, nuts etc.

50m of 10 or 10.5mm dynamic rope or 2 x 50m 9mm dynamic rope.

Broadly speaking ropes are available in 8mm to 11mm thicknesses with 9mm and below only being suitable for use in pairs (this is safer but more costly). For rock climbing, standard ropes are adequate but if winter or alpine climbing is being considered then more expensive dry-treated ropes are best. For the Lake District, 50m ropes are advised as certain belays may be out of reach with shorter lengths.

**NB Most climbers operating regularly at this level would carry more gear than this. At Needle Sports we are always happy to advise - bring your rack in and we will look through it and discuss your needs with you. Or ring, write or email.