Climbing Gear For Mountain Crags - What Extra Gear Do I Need For Multi Pitch Routes?

There is a big difference between climbing a route ondepending on the type of route of course. Another
a single pitch crag and completing a committing multifactor which is often overlooked by climbers is the
pitch climb on wither a mountain crag or sea cliff.wandering nature of multi pitch climbs. Very few multi
There are a whole set of skills which you will needpitch routes take a totally direct line up a crag, this
which climbing single pitch routes do not give you.means you will be wandering. What this means to
You should also adjust the gear that you take withyour gear is that you need to take more extenders
you to ensure that you have everything you need toand slings t ensure that your ropes run smoothly and
stay safe.that the second is adequately protected.
The most obvious difference between single pitchThe final major difference to the gear that you will
crags at low level and mountain crags is the weather.need on a multi pitch crag is what ropes you use. As
Even 500m of altitude makes a big difference to theI have mentioned, unlike a single pitch route, multi
weather you will encounter. To prepare for this youpitch routes rarely take a totally direct line. This
need to have the right clothing with you. There are ameans that using a single rope, as you may do on a
number of very good wind-proof and shower-proofsingle pitch route, would cause far too much drag.
tops which are very lightweight. This means that youFor multi pitch climbing it is far better to use a double
can climb with them and they don't weigh you downrope set up. If used correctly they reduce drag whilst
too much. For climbing on mountains it is also evenalso making retreat or descent from a route much
more important that you wear a helmet. There isquicker and easier.
always lose rock around and the rock is a lot lessThis has been a brief guide on the gear you will need
stable than on single pitch crags.on a multi pitch crag. Climbing in a mountain
If you are climbing long multi pitch routes you willenvironment is about far more than the gear you
need to slightly change what climbing hardware youtake with you. The skills that you need to climb on
take up with you. Due to you often needing to equipmulti pitch crags are very different to single pitch
both 2 belays and all the runners on what could becrags and take a long time to acquire. It is important
anything up to a 60m pitch you need a lot morethat you respect the environment that you are in
gear. Usually you need at least a double set of eachand take all of the necessary precautions to stay
of the nuts you would usually take with you on asafe. What will ultimately keep you safe will be your
single pitch route. It is also very beneficial for you toability to make the right decisions at the right time.
take as many cams as you can get your hands on,