HARNESSES
Basically. a harness forms a chair when you tie-in. A good fit in the waist and leg loops is crit ical. Male climbers should make sure the loops don't cut off circulation to the groin. Heavier climbers should choose a harness with wider leg loops-decreasing the likelihood of sleepy legs-and a thick. padded waist to support their lower back. Wider straps may cut into your flesh less. while narrower straps are lighter and allow ease of movement-ah. that pesky comfort/performance give-and-take again.
• A relatively new trend. most companies now offer at least one model designed for
women. Does this mean they just come in pink? Fortunately. no. A woman's harness has a smaller waist with proportionately larger leg loops. Also. the rise-the distance between the leg loops and tie-in loop-is often longer and adjustable for adaptation to pelvic shape.
V')
1> Z o
� a
A bulky and comfortable all-purpose harness. New for '99, it features adjustable leg-Ioops-o new trend in harnesses. II's a versatile choice, accommodating many types of climbing In varying climates. Petzl's idiot-proof buckles make it impossible to forget doubling back, one of the most common-sometimes fatal-mistakes mode in climbing. Petzl, 801-327-3805, www.petzl.com. $72.
-I 0 Z
�
For many hard-core climbers, Block Diamond is the only choice. The Dyno AL is a great do-everything model. Simple and light. this year's model features ml,lch-needed, adjustable leg loops. Also, it has more than enough gear loops to carry the protection needed for nearly any climb. Incidentally, a dyno is on actual move where a climber lurches with everything he's got to grab a hand hold. Black Diamond, 801-278-5533, www.BlackDiamondEquipment.com. $59.95.
This is a super-light women's model. The leg loops and rise are not adjustable, but the back has been beefed for added support. For smaller women. this is a chOice, affordable, go-anywhere harness. Black Diamond, 801-278-5533, www.BlackDiamondEquipment.com. $64.50.
In sizing a new harness. first cinch the belt fairly high on
your waist. then adjust the leg loops. It is really important to actually tie in and hang for a few minutes to get a feel for the harness before buy ing it. Lastly. if you'll be climbing in cold weather (or cold gyms). con sider buying one size larger to compensate for fleece layers.
LOCKING CARABINERS
At last. you have come to cllmblng's clanging doodads: carabiners and belay devices. There are three modem ways ta belay. eights. AlCs and GrlGris. each of which require a stout, locking carabiner. Any of the biners listed below should do the trick.
r r'tlႠrl'I'i,ln."", using the manual spin ball locking
.mechcmisms are new-school designs, of thread-lock after a hard can't release the blner.
'_'''''�O��, www.petzႠ.com. $16.50-18.50.
