Climber’s Christmas VIII

What an honor to be back for our 8th Climber’s Christmas!  Eight years of spectacular gift recommendations for that rock rustler in your life!  I don’t think a single recommendation has gone out of favor in the last eight years, so feel free to take a look HERE through some of our prior recommendations if you want something more than the recommendations we offer this time around.  We hope you enjoy this year’s ideas, and feel free to share if there is something we may have missed!

Carrot

I’m going with a theme this year, putting a Christmas spin on a wedding tradition.  You’ve all heard the idea of a bride receiving something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, it’s a sweet little rhyme, and a cool idea for gifts, whether for a wedding or Christmas, for a bride or a climber!

1. Something Old.  Last year, High-Clip recommended Totem Cams, and so I am using that same idea this season.  There are some companies that make their customers proud.  Totem is such a company.  If you want to feel good about gear, then their cams are for you.  This is the type of company that could work as a model for corporate cooperation.  The way they treat the employees and the environment is unmatched, and companies like that deserve our business.  The gear is great, the message is even better!  Their “About” page is worth the click! 
2. Something New.  Black Diamond Sewn Anchor System (SAS) has some haters.  I am not one of them.  The most common critique is that using a quad is much more versatile, and that is true.  However, there are some crags that don’t need much versatility when it comes to anchor building (my home crag is a perfect example).  Further the SAS weighs next to nothing and is totally bomber.  Purists may not be able to stomach this modern contraption, but I’m sure if given a try, even the saltiest climbers would grow to love it!
3. Something Borrowed.  I’m not recommending buying used gear, although I’m not against it given the right safety measures, but rather I’m going to recommend making a donation.  Outdoor climbing almost always involves shared space.  Space that we borrow from Mother Nature, so why not help do our part to protect these borrowed spaces.  When it comes to protecting crags, I’m not sure there is a better group than Access Fund.  Even if you don’t have the means to donate, checking out what they’ve done and continue to do is a great way to help.  HERE is a link.
4. Something Blue.  You already got the new SAS, you’ll need some locking carabiners to hold it in place. Mammut has just the thing you need.  Not only does the Classic HMS Screwgate Carabiner come in blue, it also has a splash of orange to match that new anchor system of yours.  With these new blue biners, you’ll surely have the sharpest rig at that crag!  Biners can be found HERE!

Max

Hey, this year for Christmas my recommendations might be a little outside the box and not exactly as well known in the climbing community. But it is guaranteed that your climber is  going to love these gifts because they are not only useful in training and overall cuteness they are good for climbers of all levels! 

1. You want something handcrafted and something you can show off both on and off the wall, then something from Tiny Holds is the perfect gift for you to give. You can get premade little holds to wear as croc charms, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. You also can put in custom orders for a specific type of hold.  It’s a must have!
2. Next on the list we have Porta-hang.  These are easy and fun for traveling or at home.  Training tools for climbers that you can take anywhere as long as there is a doorway of some sort. You have two plastic pieces where you get a screwdriver and basic holds in a travel bag and change out any holds you want. You can get that person on your Christmas list all the different type of holds to put on your porta-hang from jugs to ropes and some other fun ones in between to do pull ups and work on that grip strength and upper body strength when a gym isn’t nearby. 
3. Last but certainly not least the chalk that has been picking up in popularity, going into more and more gyms around the world is Rúngne Magdust. Magnus Midtbø signature brand and chalk that is overall great quality and smooth to the touch. It’s a little bit more expensive than other chalks but the amount in the bags and the quality makes up for the cost. No climber out there is ever gonna be sad opening up some good quality chalk for Christmas.

High-Clip

As always, I’m here for practicality. Instead of some really nice, unique stuff, we’re going for adding one to the many. In other words, everyone starts off with a beginning of a rack, but the real trouble is fleshing it out. Let’s help our fellow climbers build out their racks!

1. Everyone needs slings. You can use them for alpine draws, extensions, or even just to hold or organize stuff. Even if your climber has enough, they eventually wear out, and you have to replace them anyway. It’s always a good call! You can pick their favorite brand of sling, but you can’t go wrong with these bad boys from Metolius! Naturally, you could pair them with some carabiners, like these guys from Trango.
2. T-shirts. Everyone loves them. No one ever wants to buy them. Yet they are timeless, and always in style (if you could claim that t-shirts are a style). They can be for any use, and whether they’re funny or just comfortable, they are sure to be a hit! Take a look at our shop on Etsy (we have everything from philosophy to climbing to classic theDIHEDRAL).
3. Similar to the slings, there’s always a good use for cordelette. You can make a quad, or trad anchors, or really anything else you want. It is so versatile! Again, it eventually wears out (or you have to bail on it/leave it up sometimes), so it needs to be replaced at some point anyway! You can get 6-7m of 6.5-7mm cordelette from your local shop (they’ll be happy to cut it for you), or you can get some precut, like this one from Bluewater.

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Happy Holidays