Chalkbloc
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Climbing articles, stories, interviews, reviews, advice, and guides.
Chalkbloc
3y ago
How did Covid-19 affect you, your climbing and your travel plans? In this article regular contributor Pete Edwards considers the changes over the recent strange period ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
How To Choose A Belay Device The range of belay devices has grown exponentially in the last few years, which means there’s plenty to choose from. Many devices have become quite use-specific, but they all follow the basic principle: the device will help you to control the flow of the rope, and therefore, help you to stop a falling climber. A modern belay device (or ‘belay plate’) can be simple: the width of a credit card, with no moving parts and light weight. They can also be more high-tech: the size of a fist, with multiple parts, buttons and dials.  ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Mountain Equipment Kryos Jacket - Working Hard On Koyo Zom The new Kryos Jacket has been driven by requests from Mountain Equipment's athlete team, such as cutting-edge mountaineers like Tom Livingstone & Uisdean Hawthorn, who need a light and warm jacket for alpine climbing in the Greater Ranges and in cold conditions... the Kryos provides the optimum combination of warmth, protection and minimal weight. Informed by feedback from some of the world’s best alpinists and extensive R&D work, this is the jacket for the hardest and most committing lines in the high mountains ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Rhino's line of products focuses on the largest organ in the body, the skin. They understand what it takes to succeed. Whether it is that extra bit of nutrition, that little extra rest, or a push from a friend or competitor, Rhino will be there to keep you healthy and ready to perform.  ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
An Adventure With The 3 Old Men Emma Warren goes on a climbing road trip to Scotland, hoping to discover some of the finest adventure trad routes on the 'Three Old Men' Sea Stacks. When people ask what makes the UK a special rock climbing destination, the reply is usually 'adventurous trad routes.' And what's better - and stranger - than climbing sea stacks?! These towers make for exciting and often involved routes, with rough rock, poor weather and a risk of vomiting sea birds... it's the perfect test for Mountain Equipment's Women's Rock Climbing Collection ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Sam Farnsworth and Will Nicholls (of Gaia Adventures) shares their thoughts about avalanches - in particular, how to interpret and understand avalanche forecasts.  ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Ben Silvestre has written a deeply thoughtful and inspiring piece, describing his year of alpine and trad climbing, complemented with some classic bouldering. The momentum gained from climbing regularly, and slowly pushing yourself further, is a special feeling, and it's a treat Ben has shared his story with us. He also talks about his new route, The Dispossessed, which is quickly becoming a new and tricky classic in the Ogwen Valley. Enjoy Ben's discussion on why we climb, the risks we take, and our exploration of the mind ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
A modern belay device (or ‘belay plate’) can be simple: the width of a credit card, with no moving parts and light weight. They can also be more high-tech: the size of a fist, with multiple parts, buttons and dials.  ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Pete Edwards gives his thoughts on the latest technology to hit the cinemas - 3D technology. Does it do justice to popular films? And what should 3D cinematography really be used for ..read more
Chalkbloc
3y ago
Last year we interviewed Malcolm Bass about his alpine climbing and work as a Clinical Psychologist. It became one of our most popular articles, with Malcolm discussing his motivations, the highs and lows of both climbing and work, and his unique perspective on the minds of climbers. Malcolm has kindly given us his article, 'The Mind Has Mountains' which takes a deeper dive into this world. This article first appeared in the Alpine Journal in 2018 ..read more