Why do rope bags have one strap?

We recently purchased a rope bag for our new Sterling Rope (that we LOVE). One of our favorite places to go outdoor rope climbing is the exits - exit 32 or 38 in North Bend Washington. We don’t have a very long approach for either exit but our new rope bag is turning out to be less than desirable.

The Edelrid Caddy rope bag has a great bucket concept. There are rope tie-ins on the inside and a fantastic tarp that folds out and nicely stuffs back in but it has one shoulder strap. The more time we spend looking at different rope bags the more we see bags featuring a single strap approach. Why? Even with a short approach to a crag carrying a 70 meter rope + shoes + quick draws and chalk bag gets mighty heavy for a single shoulder to bear. So I ask again, why?

On our second crag trip with the Edelrid Caddy rope bag we attempted to stuff it into a backpack for easier carrying – its rotund shape did not like being stuffed into another pack nor did it easily pulled back out of the pack. Even with its awesome bucket concept, loops and tarp it was returned to REI. It is apparent, we need a rope bag with two straps - a backpack approach.

There are some great backpack rope bags out there that we would love to own - but their prices are outragous! We are looking for a reasonably priced backpack rope and gear bag. We are thinking of trying out the Speedster next. I'm still drawing a big wtf on why there are so many one strap rope bags out there...

If you have any other suggestions or experience with the Speedster please comment with them below :)

Climb on!

-Elle

Crux Wednesdays

If you are a Harry Potter fan and read the title of this post, crux is not short for horcrux :P But I do mean crux in reference to a portion of a climbing route.

This morning a coworker greeted me with a cheery "happy hump day!" Her words lingered throughout the day as I was stuck indoors. Naturally, my mind wandered to climbing.

A crux in a climbing route is the hardest section. It's usually the part that gives you trouble and prevents you from flashing or red pointing a route. Wednesday's are like a crux in a climbing route. It's the middle of the week and I feel tired from the activities that happened on Monday and Tuesday. My brain doesn't want to function as it blankly stares at my computer screen. Just like in a climbing route, once the crux is over the rest of the route or week feels like a breeze - or breezier. 

After pushing through a crux and wrapping up the remaining moves, a sense of bliss washes over me as I either A) clip into the anchors or B) hang onto the last bouldering hold with complete control. Another route complete! Similarly, as the clock strikes 5:00 pm on a Friday, heck yeah, BLISS! Hello weekend and outdoor climbing!

We made it through the week's crux! Just a few more days to go :) Until then, I'll be dreaming I'm outdoors, getting my climb on....

Climbing in Leavenworth Washington - pockets for days

As usual, if any of the climbing terminology went over your head, here's the vocab!

Crux

The most difficult portion of a climb

-From: Wikipedia Climbing Glossary Terms 

Flash

To climb a route first time without practice but with beta. Climbing it without beta would be an on sight.

-From: Rock Climbing Glossary 

Red Point

In sport climbing, the term redpointing refers to free-climbing a route, while lead climbing, after having practiced the route beforehand (either by leading with frequent rests on a rope - for which the team "hangdogging" arose - or by top roping). Many climbers will frequently try to redpoint a route after having failed to onsight or flash it; although occasionally a climber will forgo an onsight attempt if they suspect that the route is so difficult that an attempt would be pointless.

-From: Wikipedia Redpoint Climbing 

-Elle