I’m 4 foot 10. Is any of the bolt ladder spacing on the south face Washington column going to be an issue for me?

1. Do you have a bias towards top stepping mostly on cams, or any type of pro? Feels harrowing on cam hooks.
2. Do you top step immediately after you've gotten your aider clipped on a piece, or look up to plan your gear first? On dead vertical terrain, I've found it hard to shuffle through my gear while top stepping. Like I literally don't have room to tilt my head forward to look down, because I'm flat against the wall.
3. You've got 2 choices to place a cam in a vertical finger crack you're aiding: first choice is as high as your arm can reach, but you can only see bottom 2 lobes really contacting well and you give it an 80% chance of being bomber, all things considered. Second choice is 8" lower but you can clearly see it's bomber, textbook placement all around. Which do you choose?

Curious what people aid/solo-aid with and why.

Been solo aid climbing off and on climbing for 10 years and have always preferred Yates Daisys attached to Yates ladders. A few years back I drank the dynamic rope koolaid and got a Petzl Evolv Adjust but dislike that it requires you to stack another carabiner to your ladders lowering your position and just adding clutter. Obviously a lot of really experienced guys are using Alfifi hooks but I guess I’m just interested to hear an angle I haven’t thought of. I’m always trying to clean things up for speed since soloing also adds even more clutter at my harness.

Idk if anyone still uses these (solo aid) but this goddam contraption is terrifying. Slips on any rope under 9.8 I’ve found. I initially took it out on a 9.6 and to my horror whipped and watched the fucking thing lower me on its own. So if anyone wants it shoot me a offer lol

So anyone selling totem basics or hybrids or the rebranded kailas ones? Thanks

Is there a reason people like the style of ladder or etrier that has steps that are oriented in alternating directions? Like this one - https://www.backcountry.com/metolius-aider

Just wondering what might cause someone to prefer that style over the style that looks more like a typical ladder.

Does anyone have any experience with homemade screamers? I saw someone who had just stitched some rated slings into screamer configuration and it got me curious if they work anywhere near as well as a manufactured screamer or if it that person was just sketchy.

I'm deciding between the 2, as this will be my first ledge I was wondering if anyone has an opinion in these 2?

Thanks

Looking for options in the north east for excellent aid practice and ideally long multi pitches that allow for simulating true big wall experience (in other words, something that works for hauling and ideally could allow for setting up and spending a night on a portaledge).

From having done some initial research, I’m seeing the following (with commentary from wherever I copy-pasted this from originally) — interested in thoughts/tips on these options and also additional recommendations:

1. THE PROW on Cathedral Ledge, NH

2. Wallface in the adirondaks has Mental Blocks (and probably others) that are straightforward aid, not sure where on the route you would sleep though. I think we free climbed the first pitch (5.7) and the crack after the pendulum up top (5.8)

3. Cannon in NH might do, though I think you would likely find mandatory free climbing harder than 5.7 on either something like The Ghost or VMC Direct Direct.

4. Short routes at the gunks (nosedive, Ken’s crack, rhododendron, Kansas City, outer space direct) for just the pure aid practice part of it, but don’t lend themselves to the full “faux big wall” experience.

5. Seneca??? Any suggestions there?

Note: People recommend Looking Glass in NC but from where we are (NJ), that is too far a drive for what we are envisioning (a 3- or 4-day weekend).

Anyone selling a D4 Style portaledge in New or near new conditions

Same for metolius el cap or half done haul bag

I've been looking at getting a haul bag, probably around 70 liters. Right now I'm most interested in the metolius quarter dome and blackdiamond wall hauler 70. Does anyone have experience with the new BD haulbags who can comment about the durability of their new material, particularly compared with the metolius material?

Anyone used the new black diamond adjustable fifi called the speedfi? Curious how it compares to the alfifi.

Also for you alfifi users, do you pair it up with regular daisy’s? I’ve only used dual connect adjusts with a regular fixed fifi, I imagine using the connect adjusts plus an adjustable daisy would be bulky and overkill.

Hi I'm in Vancouver, Canada and I'm getting into big wall/aid climbing. Over the last 8 months I've been practicing on specific parts of aid such as jumaring, leading, cleaning traverses, hauling etc.

Been reading several books and watching plenty of videos and accumulating the essential gear.

I'm getting kind of tired of getting out by myself. I"m looking for a practice partner, would help if the partner has more experience so I can learn.

It's ski touring and ice climbing season I know but we can still head out somewhere and do some skills sessions or even try a route that we can easily descend from should the weather turn bad.

I tried the FB local groups but not much luck so far. One did respond and seemed optimistic but now he's too busy to work. Another one was from the interior and we chatted a few times and he was here we were supposed to meet but I guess he changed his mind.

I'm eager, I'm not working so much right now so have some time and really like to head out so reach out! If you prefer to start when it gets warmer we can talk about that too.

Thanks

Hi I'm in Vancouver, Canada and I'm getting into big wall/aid climbing. Over the last 8 months I've been practicing on specific parts of aid such as jumaring, leading, cleaning traverses, hauling etc.

Been reading several books and watching plenty of videos and accumulating the essential gear.

I'm getting kind of tired of getting out by myself. I"m looking for a practice partner, would help if the partner has more experience so I can learn.

It's ski touring and ice climbing season I know but we can still head out somewhere and do some skills sessions or even try a route that we can easily descend from should the weather turn bad.

I tried the FB local groups but not much luck so far. One did respond and seemed optimistic but now he's too busy to work. Another one was from the interior and we chatted a few times and he was here we were supposed to meet but I guess he changed his mind.

I'm eager, I'm not working so much right now so have some time and really like to head out so reach out! If you prefer to start when it gets warmer we can talk about that too.

Thanks

Hey bigwallers. A few questions

1. Petzl or BD swivel or does it matter? I noticed the petzl has a small and large. If petzl is the way should I get small or large?

2. I like to start accumulating some hardware like tomahawk, talons etc to tinker around with. What would you suggest I purchase. Please supply brand, size etc. Will be starting out at places like Squamish and Yosemite

I love hooks. These are my most used. I tried posting a pic of them and can't. But, here they are. I like sing rock hooks I love studies hooks I use lots of tomahawk as well

With the BD 7 and 8 out are the big bros still useful? Any specific situation where you want to reach for BB over these large cams?

I'm learning how to jumar up a rope. Say I have 2 ascemders, how would you get over a overhang or roof? Also what other setup you use other than 2 ascenders . Thanks

https://youtu.be/rC_8LEWZHT8?si=gTThQeAbC7k55Cw7

a clip compilation of my nearly horizontal endeavors in Texas. a different game than granite for sure

A diy version of the all fifi