Mazamas

Goggles are standard equipment for alpine journeys, but how can you keep them from breaking in your pack?

Like this: Get a pair of two-liter soft-drink bottles and chop off the spout ends, creating two cylinders. Put the goggles inside, and slide one container over the other to make a reasonably solid but very light container.

The bottles can double as cups or bowls, but do your dishes, or you’ll get Top Ramen all over your lenses!

This tip is from Climbing magazine

The National Outdoor leadership School (NOLS) has been teaching hardcore wilderness skills for many decades.  One of their standard pieces of group gear is the “Thelma” fly, apparently named after the seamstress who created it.  It’s a large but light (5lbs) shelter that can cover a group and gear when the elements are not cooperating.

Read more about it and order at the links below.

Read a review on Cool Tools

Buy it from the NOLS store

Keeping the sun out of your eyes and off your face when wearing a climbing helmet can be problem.  One solution is to wear a close fitting visor cap under your helmet, which is also nice for a helmet-less approach hike.  On a recent Rainier climb I saw many guided groups wearing this hat from OR, which has a handy detachable flap to add sun protection to your ears and neck.

Outdoor Research Sun Runner hat

Another option is one borrowed from river runners – a removable visor that mounts directly on your helmet.  It’s light, flexible, inexpensive, and gets the job done.  Downside:  Can’t wear it when you want sun protection, but do not need a helmet.  This one may be better for a sunny day of rock climbing.

NRS helmet visor

or the similar Salamander beak Visor

Think you know “the ropes”?  The Sterling Rope Company has an online 16 page technical manual (.pdf file); check this link and learn a few tricks.

Learn about . . .

• The difference between S twist and Z twist
• Details of rope construction
• Exact requirements of the UIAA rope testing
• The dramatic loss of strength that happens to a wet rope
• The two chemicals you should ALWAYS avoid getting on your rope
• The Word on marking your rope with permanent (Sharpie) pens

Sterling rope technical manual

Normally the Mazamas web gnomes avoid pitching a specific product, but this one is so cool looking it’s worth a mention here.  Also, it’s that time of year . . .

Check out the Lightcap 300, a solar-powered lantern and BPA-free water bottle.  The one liter bottle has a small solar panel on the lid, which charges a tiny battery.  The battery powers 5 LED bulbs, which shine down through the water.  This makes an effective lantern from your water bottle, illuminating tent, campsite, RV, picnic table, off the grid cabin, snow cave . . . you get the idea.

(This is a modern take on an old climber’s trick of making a lantern by taping a headlamp on an upside-down Nalgene bottle, a crafty move that has somehow not yet made it in Tip of the Week.)

And if you read the testimonials, you’ll see it’s endorsed by Lou Whittaker; how much more encouragement do you need?

Read all about it and order online here:
http://www.sollight.com/products/lc300.cfm