Clever Outdoor Gear

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belay system

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Belay Specs

Belay Specs
Belay Specs

These remind me of those old TV watching glasses. A pair of prisms allowed you to watch TV while laying flat on your back, looking through your toes. No joke! I had an uncle hurt in a mining accident who did just that. Now thanks to Belay Specs you can keep an eye on your belayed partner while looking through your bouffant.

Actually these are quite useful specs if you’ve ever held long belays. It allows you to keep an eye on your belay partner without putting your neck in a strained upward position. Thus you are more likely to keep a constant eye on the old boy. These are made with precision ground polished prisms that provide sharp images. The bows are comfortable bendable stainless steel. And these are large enough you can fit them over prescription lenses or sunglasses. Now I wonder if I could take those old TV specs and turn them upside down…

$80

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Metolius PAS Running Anchor System

Metolius PAS Running Anchor System
Metolius PAX Running Anchor System

Checked out Metolius’ adaptation of their PAS 22 Personal Anchor System: the PAS Running Anchor System.

Here’s what the Metolius website says about their original PAS system:

  • Completely redesigned PAS with 11 mm (0.43″) webbing that now passes the CE/UIAA Sling Standard
  • More versatile – can be used for equalizing anchors
  • Same weight despite higher strength
  • Safer than daisy chains (Daisy chains are designed for body weight applications only)
  • Safer, more convenient and more adjustable than using slings or quickdraws at the anchor
  • Stows compactly

You know this PAS unit Metolius has offered for some time? We’ve used other units as strong but we really like the fool-proof look of the individual sewn-loops and they do rack unobtrusively.

Now Metolius has made a new PAS-like unit with smaller loops and both ends finished for ‘biners: designed for equalizing two gear placements or top-tope anchors. Clip each end (of the new PAS Running Anchor System: again, we’re making this up because our copy’s running ahead of Metolius’ naming the design) into a placement, and then select whichever loop between (the placements) matches your directional loading. Simple, fast, bombproof. And you’ve still got your PAS “daisy” chain attached to your harness, and all those “extra” loops. Maybe it’s just us but “extra” loops has always been an oxymoron for us in practice.

$30