Rope Climbing Kit

Emergency Kits for Mountain Climbing, Surfing and Off-Piste Skiing

This article is inspired by the film 127 Hours, the true story where Aron Ralston, is the mountain climber who became trapped by a fallen boulder for 127 hours in Bluejohn Canyon, in Utah, USA. I’ve seen the film with James Franco playing Ralston and the story is incredible, if Aron had even endured half of what the film depicted and survived to tell the tale then he’s quite a phenomenal human being. And that’s before you’ve considered that he hacked off his own arm with a dull and minuscule blade (that must’ve really, really smarted…) it’s wonderful that he has a family and is leading a great life, but Aron’s experience started me a’thinking, do any of us really recognize the dangers that may be looming when we we go off on our adventures? Our checklist probably goes a little something like this: bikini? CHECK cuddly toy? CHECK (no? just me? ok.) suncream? CHECK cool shades? CHECK iPod? CHECK lucky pants? CHECK gum? CHECK, you get the picture…

We adrenaline junkies like to think we’re a unique group of people who partake in a bit of extreme sports here and action packed adventure there as well as write an extreme sports blog but I’m sorry to break it to you, its become main-stream. So, is it due to this fact that we feel overly comfortable in doing them, safe and taken care of when what we should be thinking is “I can’t frikkin wait to do this, but shit, can you imagine what I’d do if I broke my leg? Think I’d better take that mobile phone and some bandages” So with this in mind I thought it’d be helpful to trawl the net and compile a list of emergency kit contents for you to squeeze into your suitcase. Push the gorilla suit and blowup donkey to one side and make some space people!

Mountain Climbing

As well as all of your climbing equipment & clothing, take:

1. Waterproof/Windproof Matches
2. Survival Bag (to climb into in extreme circumstances)
3. Mini torch with batteries
4. Small Magnifying Glass (useful to start a fire using the sun)
5. Needles and thread
6. Compass
7. Small Flexible Saw (Grease it to stop it rusting)
8. Razor Blades 2+(kept in a small tin)
9. Bandage
10. Plasters/Bandaids
11. Condom (can hold 2 pints of water)
12. Pencil & Paper
13. Mobile phone with fully charged battery
14. Large plastic bottle of water
15. Chocolate bars & energy sweets
16. Packet of Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory pain relief)
17. Suncream (even in Winter)
18. Swiss Army Knife
19. TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND WHEN TO EXPECT YOU BACK

Snowboarding – Off Piste

1. LED Headlamp
2. Torch & batteries/Wind-up
3. Two 18 Hour Glowsticks
4. Three Flares
5. Waterproof/Windproof Matches
6. Candles (pack of 5)
7. Firestarters
8. Emergency Sleeping Bag
9. Emergency Tent-Silver
10. 3600 Calorie Food Bar & energy sweets
11. Folding Stove (with 8 Fuel Tablets)
12. Condom to collect 2 pints of water
13. Cup
14. Swiss Army Knife
15. 50 ft Rope
16. First Aid Kit
17. Folding Shovel w/Pick
18. Folding Saw
19. Fully charged mobile phone
20. Packet of Ibuprofen
21. GPS Avalanche Beacon
22. TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND WHEN TO EXPECT YOU BACK!

At the very least carry a 5-in-1 survival whistle containing a shrill signal whistle, signal mirror, compass, waterproof match container, flint, attached to a lanyard, small enough to fit easily in your pocket/round your neck. Learn more about avalanche safety and equipment which gives you a greater chance of survival

Surfing

*I know this may sounds a bit bonkers but I’m telling you from personal experience which ended up in a good friend being helicoptered to hospital, taking an emergency kit surfing is a good idea especially if you’re surfing a reef, the list below is for UK surfing, hot climate kits will need things like anti-malarial and water purification tablets *

1. Antiseptic Wipes / Wash / Cream
2. Sterile Saline Solution
3. Pack of Steri-strips
4. Wound Dressings
5. Bandages / Sterile Gauze
6. Plasters (a good selection of sizes)
7. Waterproof tape / Duct Tape
8. Packet of Ibuprofen
9. Non-Latex Gloves
10. Cotton Tips
11. Stainless Steel Scissors (good quality)
12. Stainless Steel Fine Point Tweezers
13. Safety Pins
14. Sleeping bag
15. Fully charged mobile phone
16. Swiss Army Knofe
17. TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU’RE GOING AND WHEN TO EXPECT YOU BACK!

“Always be prepared”

About the Author

Liv Williams is a 28 year old extreme sports fanatic, who enjoys researching urban sports and dangerous activities for her extreme sports blog which she writes with wit and an easy reading style. She won the Junior Welsh Triathlon Championships in 2000 and 2001, surfs, snowboards, is learning to fly a helicopter and makes her own extreme sports films. She has lived in New Zealand where she surfed everyday and now resides in Cornwall. She worked for the BBC in London for 3 years making programmes for BBC2 and BBC3. She supports organisations such as Surfers Against Sewage and presents extreme sports programmes for the web as well as writing treatments for TV.

How to Maintain Rock Climbing Gear : Coiling & Stowing Climbing Rope: Maintaining Rock Climbing Equipment

First Alert EL52-2 Two-Story 14-Foot Escape Ladder $31.95 FIRST ALERT FIRE ESCAPE LADDER *14′ long ladder, 2 story *Dupont cordura nylon straps for maximum strength *Complies to ASTM standards *Slip resistant rungs and rung stabilizes *Strong steel construction tested to 1,125 lbs. *(350 lbs. per step) *6 year warranty…

Camping 50′ Green Rope $6.99 This strong but lightweight rope is useful for a multitude of light to moderate weight projects. 5mm in thickness….

ASR Tactical Kevlar Survival Cord Rope (25 feet) $7.94 Kevlar Survival Cord brought to you by ASR Tactical might not look like much, but could help save your life! This cord is made from three strands of Kevlar thread and has a breaking strength of 200 lbs. It has been coated in polyurethane which gives it UV resistance and added abrasion resistance. Ideal for snares, traps, bows and so much more. It weighs less than one ounce and takes up such litt…

Kettler Trimmstation Swing Set $499.00 Turn your backyard into a schoolyard with this fun, diverse Kettler Trimmstation Swing Set. It comes with horizontal and vertical ladders, climbing rope, and a board swing. Pull-up bars and swing are also included and prove great for different exercises. Made with a fade- and rust-resistant powder coat finish to ensure years of use, it can also be used with the Baby Swing Seat and Slide attachment…

Meadowvale Wooden Swing Set $446.99 Get ready for action with this multi-actity super play center! Includes high rail wave slide 2 belt swings acrobatic swing cargo rope climber rockwall with climbing rocks lower sandbox and a super sturdy wood stake anchoring system for safety. . Overall Dimensions: 14 wide 11 deep 9 high. 2×6 2 position single swing beam separate beam for acrobatic swing. 4x 3 4 high play deck. Please allow a …

Basic Rope Skills for Climbers $19.95 Nigel Shepherd explains the basics of ropework in this handy guide, ideal both for those starting out climbing and for more experienced climbers who want to introduce their friends and family to the sport. With clear text and step-by-step photos, Shepherd covers basic kit, anchors, and belaying; techniques for top and bottom roping, trad, sport climbing, and abseiling; and the use of knots, slings, nuts, and camming devices. The growing sport of climbing, as practiced in a wide range of indoor and outdoor locations around the world, has never been made so simple, safe, and fun.

Blue Ridge Overlook Deluxe $1742.36 GOR1123: Features: -Ridge overlook deluxe. -Color: Blue. -Maintenance – free timber shield protective poly coating on main beams. -Tongue in groove cedar wood roof with sunbursts, dormers, and chimney. -4 x 4 Framing. -4′ x 6′ Main fort. -5′ Deck height. -4 x 6 Swing beam. -Iron ductile swing hangers. -2 Swings with plastics coated chains. -1 Trapeze bar with plastics coated chains. -10′ extreme wave slide. -Climbing rope ladder. -Rock wall with climbing rope. -Sandbox. -Built-in picnic table. -Safety handles. -Safe entry ladder. -Telescope. -Flag kit port. Swing sets include: -Factory stained and sealed wood that is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. -All required lumber: pre – cut, pre – sanded, and pre – stained. -Main beams are even pre – drilled. -All required hardware. -Step-by-step 3-D illustrated instructions and owner’s manual. -Free standing design (requires no grounding stakes for support). -Limited 10 year warranty on wood, 1 year on accessories.

Blue Ridge Riverview Swing Set $1582.99 GOR1132: Features: -Playground system. -Includes 4′ X 6′ platform, upper level clubhouse with working palladian style shutters, safe entry ladder,rock wall with climbing rope, extreme wave slide, swing beam positions, belt swings,trapeze swing, standard rope ladder,sunburst wood roof with dormers, chimney and mesh covering, extended built in picnic table, sandbox area with lower walls,steering wheel, telescope, tic tac toe panel, flag kit,timber shield protective poly coating on main beams safety handles and patented one piece a-frame bracket. -Material: Cedar. -Beautiful amber finish. -Factory stained and sealed wood that is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. -All required lumber: Pre-cut, pre-sanded, and pre-stained. -Main beams are even pre-drilled. -All required hardware. -Step-by-step 3-D illustrated instructions and owner’s manual. -Free standing design (requires no grounding stakes for support). -Limited 10 year warranty on wood, 1 year on accessories. -Assembly required.

Gorilla Playsets Sun Valley Playset $1799 GOR1134: Features: -Swing set include: Platform 4′ x 6′; Platform Height 5′; Step Ladder and Metal Rung Ladder Combo; Rock Wall with Climbing Rope; Metal Access Handles 4; Extreme Wave Slide; Heavy Duty Vinyl Canopy; Swing Beam Positions 3; Belt Swings 2; Trapeze Swing 1; Deluxe Rope Ladder; Turbo Tire Swing with Swivel; Steering Wheel, Telescope, Tic Tac Toe Panel, and Flag Kit; Patented One Piece A-Frame Bracket.-Factory stained and sealed wood that is resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage.-Required lumber: pre-cut, pre-sanded, and pre-stained.-Main beams are even pre-drilled.-All required hardware.-Step-by-step 3-D illustrated instructions and owner’s manual.-Free standing design (requires no grounding stakes for support). Warranty: -Limited 10 year warranty on wood, 1 year on accessories.

Gorilla Playsets Sun Valley w/ Monkey Bars $1999 GOR1135: Features: -Swing set include: Platform 4′ X 6′; Platform Height 5′; Step Ladder and Metal Rung Ladder Combo; Monkey Bars with Heavy Duty Metal Rungs; Rock Wall with Climbing Rope; Metal Access Handles 4; Extreme Wave Slide; Heavy Duty Vinyl Canopy; Swing Beam Positions 3; Belt Swings 2; Trapeze Swing 1; Deluxe Rope Ladder; Turbo Tire Swing with Swivel; Steering Wheel, Telescope, Tic Tac Toe Panel, and Flag Kit; Patented One Piece A-Frame Bracket.-Required lumber: pre-cut, pre-sanded, and pre-stained.-Main beams are even pre-drilled.-All required hardware.-Step-by-step 3-D illustrated instructions and owner’s manual.-Free standing design (requires no grounding stakes for support). Warranty: -Limited 10 year warranty on wood, 1 year on accessories.