|
Questo sito utilizza cookies, proseguendo la navigazione ne accetti l'utilizzo da parte di montagnapertutti.it -
--
 |
|
|
|
|
|
CLIMBING GEAR: PITONS (OR PEGS) AND HAMMER
|
Pitons and hammer are indispensable pieces of gear in rock climbing (they may be usefull also while climbing an icy gully: if snow conditions don't allow to use ice screws, some pitons driven into the rock make safer your climb).
Pitons and hammer might come in handy also while climbing bolted routes; of course I don't mean sport climbs where bolts are sometimes more than enough!
Well driven pitons are the best artificial anchors for belaying or lead climbing (natural anchors may consist of trees, chockstones already lodged in a crack, horns and protrusions, etc. ).
There are pitons of various shapes and configurations that can be hammered into any kind of rock. For example there are pitons made from hardened steel (suitable for hard rocks, such as granite) and pegs made from softer carbon steel, suitable for softer rock; the latters are able to deform to the shape of the crack. As concerns the shape of the blade, the range is wide: there are flat, U or V-shaped pitons.
|
|
Driving a piton isn't an easy job: first of all because you might be in an uncomfortable position and also because you have to weight the shape of the hole or the crack and the kind of the rock to place the right peg (hopefully at the first attempt!). You have to check that there will be room enough between the driven piton and the rock to place a carabiner or a quickdraw. Furthermore the lead climber have to bear in mind that his/her second should get it back.
In order to drive a peg you need a hammer, of course!! ... and it is a heavy piece of gear! Of course, the lighter the gear, the easier the climb, but you should keep in mind that the heavier the hammer the easier and faster it will be drive the pitons...
|
|
|
