Archive for January, 2011

New Climbing Video Footage!

Jan 19th

I own a GoPro HD Helmet camera and I absolutely love it.

I’ve been experimenting with it at the gym lately to try and find some creative filming angles that provide an intriguing perspective while climbing (and not one that makes you sick). Having built a camera rig for my mountain bike a few weeks ago, I knew that PVC pipe was a good, light-weight material that the camera could be mounted to pretty easily with the bike mount. So I got to work figuring out a way to attach a piece of PVC pipe to my camelback and extend the camera up and over my head.

I started out cutting a piece of plexiglas (b/c that’s what I had laying around) to fit inside the camelback, using the bladder as a template. I then drilled holes down the center where the PVC pipe would be attached, and would allow me to adjust the height on the rig, to a degree. After attaching the PVC pipe to the plexiglas and placing the entire rig into the camelback, I used a piece of twine to secure the PVC pipe to the camelback (this was a temporary solution until I come up with something more permanent and easily adjustable). Put the whole thing on, cinch it down and have fun!

: Plexiglas base for camelback with PVC pipe attached.

: Twine used to secure the PVC pipe to the camelback.

: GoPro attached to PVC pipe with bike mount accessory.

: The completed rig!

The Future of Auto-Belay Systems?

Jan 6th

Posted by Derek in Equipment

No comments

About a year ago, Sportrock was forced to remove their MSA Redpoint™ Descenders due to a “Stop Use” notice and subsequent massive recall that followed a couple of accidents in Australia and Malaysia. That seemed like a pretty big inconvenience for everyone at the gym, but I think most people assumed it was nothing more than a temporary setback and took it in stride.

I had all but forgotten about the issue until I saw this update today: Massive Product Recall Rocks Auto-Belay Industry.

Much to my surprise, MSA has pulled out of the auto-belay scene entirely. After failing to replicate the problems being reported, and being unable to create a solution for a problem they couldn’t duplicate, MSA decided to cut its losses and abandon the climbing community.

What I find particularly frustrating about this situation is that it would appear MSA had very little to do with the accidents that occurred, and that they were forced to walk away from their auto-belay systems as a result of a few negligent owners who chose not to abide by the recommended maintenance and service schedule for the Redpoint™ Descenders.

On the plus side, it looks like there may be some encouraging technology on the horizon utilizing a magnetic system (similar to systems used in roller coasters) to create an auto-belay device that is safe and reliable, although I don’t see these coming to my local gym anytime soon.

Personally, I miss the auto-belay systems at the gym (even though I always felt a little uneasy using them). Being able to climb by yourself was convenient, especially if you found yourself at the gym without a belay partner.

I will be interesting to see where the future of auto-belay devices goes. I think the need for auto-belay systems will continue to grow as rock climbing becomes a popular alternative to traditional forms to exercise.