WHEN TO RENEW YOUR CLIMBING AND MOUNTAINEERING EQUIPMENT?

The practice of climbing requires equipment which wears out over time. So, in order to climb in good conditions and in complete safety, it is essential to know when to renew your climbing and mountaineering equipment. We guide you to know the signs of wear to detect and choose the right time.

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The right checks to know when to change your climbing and mountaineering equipment

Any sport requires good equipment, but when it comes to climbing and mountaineering it is about your life. However, it is impossible to give a precise lifespan for each of your equipment, as the training surfaces and practices of each vary. It is therefore important to regularly check the condition of your equipment by checking the following points:

• Ropes: To know if they are worn, check for signs of burns along their length. If you find that some areas are stiffer than others, or bigger, it also means it's time to change your climbing ropes. By doing these checks regularly, you should always renew your climbing rope well before you see the inside part: the core, but if this ever happens, the sheath is badly damaged and it should not be reused anymore.
• The carabiners: the essential point to check in order to know when to change them is the locking gate. To make sure that it works correctly, release it slowly and check that it fits perfectly into the body of the carabiner, well in the axis, and without any resistance. If not, now is the time to invest in new carabiners. Likewise, if you notice signs of wear on the body of your carabiner due to friction, or that you detect cracks, be sure to replace it.
• The harness: your climbing harness is certainly the most delicate equipment to check while climbing. Start by observing the seams: they should never be cracked or unstitched. The straps must show no signs of burning and the tie-in points must be intact. Finally, the buckles that allow you to adjust the harness to your size should work.
• The helmet: this one has a good lifespan, as long as it does not suffer an impact. But if you notice any deformation, crack or dent, don't hesitate to change your climbing helmet. Likewise, if the chinstrap is having trouble adjusting, it's best to buy another one.

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Good storage for rock climbing gear that lasts

To prolong the lifespan of your climbing equipment, it is essential to store it in optimal conditions. So, after checking your stuff after the end of session, here are the good reflexes to adopt to store your equipment:

Textiles and straps:

• Sheltered from the sun
• Away from sharp objects
• Protected from friction which can burn the fibers

Ropes:

• Sheltered from the sun
• Stored in a dedicated bag
• Avoid pulling and rubbing

Material made out of metal:

• Lubricate the moving parts
• Store away from light

Helmet:

• Sheltered from the sun
• Stored with nothing on top or compressing it to the side so as not to cause warping or cracking.

Climbing is a demanding sport which can be dangerous if you do not have the equipment in good condition. You can easily extend its lifespan by having the right reflexes in terms of cleaning and storage, but to know when to renew your climbing or mountaineering equipment, it is essential to regularly check it's wear.