Web stores that sell ice climbing gearFriday, July 2nd, 2010 with Comments Off

Though the sesons isn’t starting quite yet I thought to list out few web stores I’ve used to stack up with the climbing and mountaineering gear. Actually the idea for this article came through my friend who tried to figure where he could purchase a pair of good ice climbing gloves. As you can see [...]

Fixing an ice climbing towerThursday, May 20th, 2010 with Comments Off

What does an ice climber do during the summer? An obvious answer would be rock climbing, but in this case we spent the day fixing our ice climbing tower for the next season. Besides I don’t climb rock that much anyways. The weather was nice, as was the company and we got most of the [...]

In search for ideal ice climbing gloveMonday, May 10th, 2010 with Comments Off

One of the most difficult issues in terms of ice climbing related gear is the selection of right gloves. Over the years I have tried dozens of different gloves in all sorts of climbing conditions. I have climbed with my friends in temperatures ranging from +5 to -30 degrees in Celsius. We have climbed in [...]

Kebne Easter Ski Touring and Climbing 2010Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 with Comments Off

Here are few images from the Kebne Easter Ski Touring and Climbing 2010 event. I originally had a plan to stay there for two weeks, but had to cut it short. Still, we had an opportunity climb to Kebnekaise South Peak, do couple of ski touring trips and climb some ice in Tarfala and Skarttacohkka. [...]

Weak spots of quality gearSunday, May 2nd, 2010 with 1 Comment »

Some time ago I reviewed Wild Country Helium quickdraws. At the time I just couldn’t find anything negative on them. I’ve used the quickdraws happily ever after. They’ve been great, but since the first article I have discovered some weaknesses too. The realization of the fact that quite a few pieces of quality gear also [...]

Review – Black Diamond First ShotSunday, May 2nd, 2010 with Comments Off

For some reason descending using Abalakov thread (v-thread) is always kind of exciting experience. Though it is known, when created properly, Abalakov thread is as safe as any ice protection; it just does not feel as secure as hanging in a screw. In an Abalakov thread one of the biggest question marks, from reliability stand [...]

Climbing in SpansdalenThursday, March 25th, 2010 with Comments Off

This year our annual Norway ice climbing trip with Jari directed to Spansdalen and was carried out during the first week of March. According to some accounts Spansdalen is an ice climbing heaven. Claim is not far from truth. There are dozens of multi-pitch routes along the valley. The climbs are generally higher and steeper [...]

Recent projectsTuesday, March 23rd, 2010 with Comments Off

  Just thought to write a short post about a project I have been involved with recently. It’s called Tribevine and is partly guilty to the fact that there haven’t been too many posts recently. I have just have been very busy with the project and all that’s around it. Of course the other other reason is the magnificent [...]

New season closing – equipment to pad the feverThursday, September 3rd, 2009 with Comments Off

It’s still warm here where I’m living at, trees have their leaves and grass is green. There’s some signs that new season is closing though (unfortunately too slowly). Personally it’s the restless feeling in my guts, feeling that winter should already arrive. As a result I start going around web stores, spending hours and hours, every [...]

Review – Grivel Rambo 4 cramponsWednesday, July 22nd, 2009 with Comments Off

It’s been several months since I started this article. It’s already summer – no ice around here. To get head start for next season though to finish this article. It’s about Grivel’s Rambo 4′s. I’ve climbed few times with them earlier on, but got my own late last season. Since then they were fully battleground [...]