La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoes Review

On February 14, 2021February 11, 2021 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review4 Comments

During the past few years, while I have been constantly getting better in climbing, I have been tempted to try and test different kind of climbing shoes. My first pair as a beginner was La Sportiva Tarantula, which was a great pair of shoes for my first “baby steps” in the climbing activities. Upon that, I have tried various other models, such as the Anasazi VCS by 5.10 and the Simond Rock+. While I have been extremely happy and satisfied with the Simond Rock+ i wanted to try a pair of shoes a bit more aggressive and upon several months of research, I have decided to get my feet on the Otaki, by La Sportiva.

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Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoes Review

On December 24, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review1 Comment

In the last few years, the market has been flooded with many new climbing shoes models, and actually many new brands too. In fact, Black Diamond, in the last year developed new series of climbing shoes and amongst others, also developed the Black Diamond Zone.

The Black Diamond Zone are climbing shoes that combine the strengths of the Momentum, comfortable shoes for beginners, to those of the Shadow, the most aggressive shoes of the entire Black Diamond line.

It is therefore an excellent intermediate shoe, with the upper made with Engineered Knit technology: a highly breathable fabric and coated in the places where it is needed. You will therefore have a perfect shoe for prolonged use in the gym but also excellent for the crag: thanks to this technology, in fact, the shirt is thicker in certain points and less in others. In this way, its shape will be very long lasting.

Black_Diamond_Zone_Climbing_Shoe_Review_165747_297 — Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoes

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Camp Mach Express Dyneema Quickdraw Review

On November 19, 2020November 16, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review4 Comments

In the past years, I have been advancing in terms of mountaineering skills and climbing abilities and I have constantly been progressing to climb tougher routes. In order to do so, one needs to be physically and mentally trained, but most of the times needs to be equipped with the most adequate gear in order to have a safe and pleasant outdoor adventure.

One of the most important items for mountaineering activities is the quickdraw, and specifically the alpine quickdraw.

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The North Face Verto 27 Summit Series Backpack Review

On September 2, 2020September 2, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review2 Comments

I have been climbing on the mountains for many years from different routes and with different kind of gear. One of the most important item for a mountaineer is the backpack. The term mountaineering backpack encompasses a very broad range of items. A mountaineering backpack can be a large Daypack for hikes, a technical alpine backpack or a trekking backpack.

Generally, the term mountaineering backpack refers to a robust backpack, with all the alpine necessities, which is used for activities in the mountains and in the snow such as snowboarding and ski trips, mountaineering and glacier hiking.

For outdoor sports like alpine climbing and winter mountaineering, often require specially equipped and robust and lightweight backpacks for the summit push.

The_North_Face_Verto_27_Backpack_Review_110249_447 — The North Face Verto 27 – Summit Series Backpack

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Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack – Long Term Review

On July 25, 2020July 25, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review2 Comments

Mountaineering and Alpine climbing require special gear such as backpacks. Since 2012, for general mountaineering, winter mountaineering or multipitch climbs I have been using as a backpack the Simond Alpinism 22.

The Simond Alpinism 22 is designed for climbers, mountaineers and Ski touring use for day-long routes. It is a compact, sturdy, all-purpose bag. Its shape and volume make it suitable for all builds and lets to carry all the required gear for a day-long hike.

Simond_Alpinism22_Backapack_Review_120317_483 — Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack

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Climbing Technology – Lime Quick Draw Long Term Review

On July 20, 2020July 20, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear ReviewLeave a comment

A quickdraw (also known as an extender) is a piece of climbing equipment used by rock and ice climbers to allow the climbing rope to run freely through bolt anchors or other protection while leading. The straight gate carabiner is clipped to the protection; a bent gate is used for the rope. Quickdraws are manufactured with either a solid carabiner gate or a wire carabiner gate for its lighter weight.

Climbing_Technology_Lime_Quick_Draw_Review_1836 — Climbing Technology Quickdraw

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MAMMUT Ophir Speedfit – Climbing Harness Review

On July 11, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review4 Comments

In this blog, besides all my outdoor activities, I also do some gear reviews of gear and equipment I personally use and have used. One of the most essential pieces of gears for climbing and mountaineering activities is a harness. In the past, I have done a preview of the Petzl Altitude Harness and this time I will do a full length and long term review of the climbing harness by Mammut, the Ophir Speedfit.

MAMMUT_Ophir_Speedfit_Climbing_Harness_Review_102954_464 — Mammut Ophir Speedfit with gear on

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Cassin Alpinist Tech Crampon – First Thoughts Review

On February 17, 2020July 11, 2020 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Gear Review, Mountaineering Gear Review3 Comments

I have been wandering in the mountains for several years now and I have been evolving my mountaineering skills step by step. From simple hiking to rock climbing, alpine climbing up to demanding mix climbing techniques.

While evolving and acquiring new knowledge, it has been necessary to update my mountaineering gear too. My first pair of crampons were the Rock Empire Mackhi, and my second pair the Grivel G12. While my general mountaineering skills got more advanced, I felt the need to update my crampons too. The Grivel G12 are exceptional, though I was feeling that the G12 were limiting me on the mixed climbing and Dry Tooling fields.

Cassin_Alpinist_Tech_Crampon_Review_150408_292 — Cassin Alpinist Tech Crampon & carrying case

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Rab Spark Waterproof Jacket Review

On December 17, 2019 By Olympus MountaineeringIn Apparel Reviews, Gear Review1 Comment

It has been quite some time ago since I have reviewed any waterproof jackets, and during this fall, I have been testing my latest waterproof jacket, the Spark by Rab.

In the past I have been using The North Face Venture HyVent 2.5l jacket and the Millet Goretex jacket (review will follow up soon), but due to the fact the Millet has lost significant factor of the waterproofness, I wanted to be dry for the winter mountaineering activities, and therefore I got the Rab Spark jacket.

Rab_Spark_Waterproof_Jacket_Review_110929_057 — Rab Spark Waterproof Jacket

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Nordisk Mos Down Slipper Review

On November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 By Olympus MountaineeringIn footwear, Gear Review2 Comments

Winter mountaineering activities, are in the core of my outdoor activities and this means that many times I need to stay overnight on the mountain, either in a tent or in a mountain hut.

One of my favourite rituals after a long day of hiking or climbing a mountain, is to relax my feet. The most basic way, is to remove boots and replace the socks. Though, if you want to wander around the mountain hut, you need to have a second pair of shoes and/or a pair of slippers.

After an extensive research, I came to the conclusion that the Nordisk Mos Down slipper is the one that I wanted to have and use.

NORDISK_MOS_DOWN_SLIPPERS_153441_383 — **Nordisk Mos Down Slipper**

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