Cams: Maintaining Rock Climbing Equipment

Series Summary

Maintaining and inspecting the highly specialized equipment used in rock climbing and mountaineering is of paramount importance. Checking over and scrutinizing the condition of your ropes, harnesses, shoes, helmet and other gear can mean the difference in life and death on your next climb. With all of the physical challenges involved in climbing the last thing you want to worry about is the safety of your equipment.

In this series of free video clips you’ll learn tips and techniques for inspecting and maintaining rock climbing gear. Expert climber Paul Helwig demonstrates how to examine various stress points in runners, tricams, ascenders and stoppers, how to properly clean and coil climbing rope, and offers advice on how to pack your gear safely in a haul bag. Following these simple safety precautions before you climb will help you focus on the primary objective: an exhilarating and successful climb to the top.

Video Transcript

"Hi! I’m Paul from Eastern Mountain Sports on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this clip, I am going to show you how to properly maintain and stow a cam. Cam comes in many different sizes and is used for traditional climbing. To maintain this cam, make sure that these cables right here are not frayed, ripped or torn. Also, the springs in here should be working correctly and by that I mean it should pull back itself; those springs are working correctly. Also, make sure that this webbing on top here is not frayed, nicked or torn. Store this in a dry cool area or in your climbing bag. In your climbing bag, make sure that it is away from all webbing and runners so that it doesn’t nick or fray or degrade them. "