Complete snow equipment and choosing the right snow equipment are very important for snow climbers. Choosing the wrong equipment or missing any item will have a significant impact on life in the snow , In severe cases, a precious life may be lost. Basic snow equipment is divided into snow clothing and snow climbing equipment.
1. Wind and snow clothes: The outermost layer of clothing is necessary for snow activities. It has the function of anti-wind and snow protection. The best material is GORE TEX. No matter what type of top you buy, it must be attached with Hats protect the head, and suspender snow pants are the best protection against falling and ice and snow running from the waistband into the inner layer of the pants.
Second, warm jacket
: Feather coat or Pile material jacket is better.
Three, the inner layer: shirt or sweater, sweater with loose high collar is better and suitable for sleeping at night.
Fourth, the innermost layer: The underwear is made of PP material to keep warm.
V. Change of clothes: Use two to three sets of clothes for action and spare clothes. Don’t bring too many clothes. If the clothes are worn for a long time, the stratum corneum of the skin will remain on the inner layer of the clothes and lose the function of keeping warm. .
6. Socks: Wear two pairs, short and thick.
7. Insole: Put the wet insole in a sleeping bag or a feather coat to dry at night to avoid putting on the wet insole the next morning to avoid frostbite toes during climbing.
9. Mountaineering shoes: The soles must be thicker. When the shoes are not worn, they must be put into moisture-proof bags and placed in the tent to avoid moisture. In addition, for long-term overseas expeditions, shoes It is best to replace it with a new one, because it is easy to oxidize and cause danger if the upper is not worn for a long time. It is best to use double boots on snow.
10. Leggings: Wearing leggings first and then putting on snow pants can not only improve the thermal insulation effect of about 5 degrees Celsius. It can also prevent the shoe cover from being hooked by the branches when in action, and prevent the snow from falling into the leggings.
11. Hats: hats have three layers, the inner layer is a hood to protect the skin, the middle layer is for warmth, and the outermost layer is made of GORE-TEX material, which has the function of preventing wind and snow, commonly known as “masters”. cap”.
Twelve, warm gloves: There are basically two kinds of gloves, one is a joint-fingered (two-finger) wool glove, the inner layer is insulated, the outer layer can resist wind and snow, which is more convenient for movement, and the other is a kind of wool gloves. The type is PP gloves, which are light and convenient and have a thermal insulation effect. These gloves are consumables, so it is recommended to bring a few pairs of spares. Wearing these two kinds of gloves at the same time is the best way to keep warm.
Thirteen, goggles or sunglasses: In Taiwan, because the snow conditions are not very good, you can use sunglasses with tinted lenses. For overseas expeditions, you must use sunglasses to form goggles. The lenses of sunglasses must be dark, such as dark green, which can better protect against ultraviolet rays. The lenses of goggles are lighter in color and can be windproof, but the lenses must be prevented from being broken by ice. Snow blindness usually occurs after 8 hours and the length of snow blindness depends on the intensity of ultraviolet rays.
14. Headlights: There are quite a few types of headlights. It is best to use a lampshade with a switch, which is easy to use and light and easy to carry. Backup batteries and light bulbs must be brought with you.
Snow climbing equipment
I. Ice axe: The length of the ice axe is selected as the height of the ice axe in hand, the arm is vertical, and the axe tip is at the same height as the ankle.
The length of the ice axe rope is best to make two rope loops, one is the wrist rope loop, and the other is the rope loop for the safety harness. It is not easy to lose the ice axe during the climbing process and there is an extra fulcrum.
Second, crampons: The early strap crampons are quite troublesome to put on and take off and take time to tie up. The latest crampons are quick-buckle crampons. This type of crampons is quite easy to put on and take off. Wearing crampons The crampons must be carefully tied and firmly to avoid the crampons falling off and causing danger. The tip of the crampons should not be too sharp and should not be sharpened. The snow in Taiwan is wet, and the crampons are easy to fall due to the snow between the sole and the crampons when walking. , At this time, you can tap the crampons with an ice axe to make the snow fall, or install a snowboard at the bottom of the crampons to prevent the soft snow from easily attaching to the crampons.
Third, safety harness: When buying a safety harness, it is best to choose a size that is one size larger after fitting, because at least three to four pieces of trousers will be worn for snow climbing.
Fourth, shackles: Each person prepares a safety shackle and three or so unsafe shackles.
Safety Loop: Use an unsecured shackle to tie a Prussian rope loop, knotted in a double fisherman knot, no longer than the knee, and fastened to the waist of the safety harness. D-ring: Carry an uninsured D-ring to facilitate rescue and erection of pulleys.
Five, the brake: the brake, also known as the descender, should not be too small, and a wide-mouthed 8-shaped ring is better.
6. Climbing device: The climbing device is erected on the main rope. The climbing device can only be pushed forward and cannot be pushed back. It is a powerful tool for the rope team to climb to a high place. The climbing device must be fastened with a Prussian rope. Safety harness for the user, but the length of the rope must not exceed the knee. 7. Prussian rope loops: Each person must prepare two Prussian ropes of about two meters long, and the rope ends are wrapped in double fisherman knots.
