I'm a caver. For about 14 years I go caving as often as I can. And there's a lot of occasions when climbing or descending special equipment is required.
I always trusted Petzl, considering them the best firm in the caving product business. And believe me when I'm telling you, caving it's not a game. Many times you play with your life, walking in daunting places you and getting yourself in all kinds of a strange situations. And when it comes to that you need to have the best gear there is on the market.
I know ... there's some differences between European and north American caving equipment and techniques for example but in my opinion Petzl is the leading caving product manufacturer and I always found their stuff easy to use and conformable.
But back to harnesses.
Petzl has two harness types for caving: FRACTIO (basic lightweight caving harness) and SUPERAVANTI (caving harness with double waist-belt). Links to the manufacturers website. Both of them are light, totally adjustable, PVC protected leg loops, abrasion resistant polyester webbing and so on.
There's a small difference between them at first sight. The new FRACTIO model has a double waist-belt. I have to tell you that my first harness was a home made one that copied the exact same model as the Fractio only it had a simple waist belt. I used it lots of times, till I realised caving it's not a game and generally caves aren't the place to gamble with your life (considering that I know little about making harnesses). So I strongly recommend: don't make your own harnesses or other equipment that your life depends on, unless u are absolutely sure what u are doing!
For both of thees harnesses you should use some shoulder straps that would keep your Croll (gear position at your chest that is used in ascending a rope).
There would be a lot of things to tell about the harnesses, mostly technical details, but I don't want to get into them. Instead I will focus on how to use the, keep them clean and what to avoid doing. But all that in another post.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Karrimor Cougar 60-70
Well, it looks like one more dream is about to come true. Not long ago I was visiting an outdoor equipment and gear shop in my home town and found a nice backpack. It's a Karrimor Cougar, red 60-70l backpack. I found it nice, looked at it, looked at other backpacks and other stuff and moved on. When going home I remembered it and said to myself that the next time I'm near at the shop I will try it on and see if it fits as nicely as it looks like. And so I did. I went back a few day after I first saw it, and tried it on. Well, at first it felt strange. I have to be honest and tell you that I enjoy the backpack I had and still have, and really wasn't looked to change it for a newer one. But after a few simple moves made it stay on my back like I was born with it. It's not the lightest backpack I had but it sure was comfortable. And had some interesting extras that I found helpful.
Looked at the manufacturer's website and found a sort description of it, and without too many coloring, here it is:
- SA coolmesh back system
- Grab handle
- Hydration system compatible
- Raincover
- 2 compartments
- Key clip
- Expandable excel side pockets
- 2 pockets in lid
- Front map pocket
- Mesh stash pockets
- Under-lid compression strap
- Daisy chain
- Base load straps
- Elasticated chest strap
- Side compression straps
- Ice axe strap and lash attachment
- Lid compression bungee cord
And before I decided to buy it I had to look what others have to say about it. So I searched the net looking for some honest and well written reviews about Cougar. I know, I know ... I should have been looking for Karrimor Cougar or Cougar backpack, but I wasn't :) And this is how I found some interesting definition for Cougar.
Of course when Karrimor decided to give a nice name to their backpack they thought of cougar in the meaning that is given also at Wikipedia, and that is: "The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or panther, depending on region..."
They never thought about what Cougar means in the urban dictionary, and that is "An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man".
Well it's just interesting. Nevertheless The Karrimor Cougar 60-70 it looks like a reliable backpack that could be a good choice for me. Will see what will happen, I'm not really decided to buy it or not although it kinda tempting. Will be back with news on what I did.
Looked at the manufacturer's website and found a sort description of it, and without too many coloring, here it is:
- SA coolmesh back system
- Grab handle
- Hydration system compatible
- Raincover
- 2 compartments
- Key clip
- Expandable excel side pockets
- 2 pockets in lid
- Front map pocket
- Mesh stash pockets
- Under-lid compression strap
- Daisy chain
- Base load straps
- Elasticated chest strap
- Side compression straps
- Ice axe strap and lash attachment
- Lid compression bungee cord
And before I decided to buy it I had to look what others have to say about it. So I searched the net looking for some honest and well written reviews about Cougar. I know, I know ... I should have been looking for Karrimor Cougar or Cougar backpack, but I wasn't :) And this is how I found some interesting definition for Cougar.
Of course when Karrimor decided to give a nice name to their backpack they thought of cougar in the meaning that is given also at Wikipedia, and that is: "The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or panther, depending on region..."
They never thought about what Cougar means in the urban dictionary, and that is "An older woman who frequents clubs in order to score with a much younger man".
Well it's just interesting. Nevertheless The Karrimor Cougar 60-70 it looks like a reliable backpack that could be a good choice for me. Will see what will happen, I'm not really decided to buy it or not although it kinda tempting. Will be back with news on what I did.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Salomon Explorer GTX Hiking Boots
Just about a month ago I bought a pair of good boots for myself. What I had and used for years wasn't in the best shape anymore. But the places where it toked me made it a special one. It had nothing special, just a no-name firm product that stud perfectly on my foot (on both of them :) )
But it was time for retirement and a new pair of boots. I have searched a while until I found what I really needed. Nothing fancy yet extra conformable and stable, Gore-Tex® material that has an excellent protection against water yet allows moisture vapor to escape, rubber toe caps and uppers, autoFIT memory foam at heels wraps ankles and feet for a secure, customized fit, and other characteristics that I don't want to list here because it may be boring. Almost forgot to tell you the brand :) It's a Salomon Explorer GTX.
Excellent pair of solid and conformable boots with excellent protection and traction.
Of course I had to try it out as soon as possible, so last week-end had a little escape from the ugly and boring city that I live in.
I was surprised to feel the excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces. There and then I had the feeling that I made the right choice by buying this pair of backpacking boots.
If you are thinking of changing your backpacking boots or you are just looking for another pair of boot I strongly recommend you this.
Even looked on the net for some comments on Salomon Explorer GTX Hiking Boots and what I found it was better than I expected.
That's it for now. And I promise that next time I won't forget my camera home and will make some nice pics about where I were and where my boots toked me :)
But it was time for retirement and a new pair of boots. I have searched a while until I found what I really needed. Nothing fancy yet extra conformable and stable, Gore-Tex® material that has an excellent protection against water yet allows moisture vapor to escape, rubber toe caps and uppers, autoFIT memory foam at heels wraps ankles and feet for a secure, customized fit, and other characteristics that I don't want to list here because it may be boring. Almost forgot to tell you the brand :) It's a Salomon Explorer GTX.
Excellent pair of solid and conformable boots with excellent protection and traction.
Of course I had to try it out as soon as possible, so last week-end had a little escape from the ugly and boring city that I live in.
I was surprised to feel the excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces. There and then I had the feeling that I made the right choice by buying this pair of backpacking boots.
If you are thinking of changing your backpacking boots or you are just looking for another pair of boot I strongly recommend you this.
Even looked on the net for some comments on Salomon Explorer GTX Hiking Boots and what I found it was better than I expected.
That's it for now. And I promise that next time I won't forget my camera home and will make some nice pics about where I were and where my boots toked me :)
Just a breif Hello
Hy everyone.
It's an old dream to have a blog about what ineterests me, and finally I foud the mood to start one. It's gonna be about outdoor, trips, equipments and gears that I have used or still use, the good and bad side of them and, interesting locations, links and other goodies that I find almost every day.
Hope you'll enjoy this and don't be a strainger. Come back whan you feel like it, comment on subjects and interact with others like me and you. Peolple who enjoy the outdoors and love to live their life beyond the limits.
It's an old dream to have a blog about what ineterests me, and finally I foud the mood to start one. It's gonna be about outdoor, trips, equipments and gears that I have used or still use, the good and bad side of them and, interesting locations, links and other goodies that I find almost every day.
Hope you'll enjoy this and don't be a strainger. Come back whan you feel like it, comment on subjects and interact with others like me and you. Peolple who enjoy the outdoors and love to live their life beyond the limits.
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