Wild Country Issue Voluntary Recall for Recent Production of the Helium Karabiner issued 10 Dec 2012.

As the Middle East's distributors for Wild Country we are helping them with this Voluntary Recall on recent production of the Helium Karabiner.

In conjunction with Wild Country we have investigated the issue and found that none of the affected batches have made it out to us so none have been purchased through our regional retailers.

If you are based in the region and purchased any Helium Karabiners outside the region please read the details below from the Wild Country Recall page and if your krabs as among the affected batches we will arrange replacement for you either by contacting us directly or via one of our retailers if this is easier for you.

The Recall notice and details below are taken from the Wild Country website and can be found at http://www.wildcountry.co.uk/products/product-recalls/helium-karabiner-recall-issued-10-dec-2012/

Please contact us on info@globalclimbing.com or via the other means of contact details available on this site if you have any questions.


Wild Country Issue Voluntary Recall for Recent Production of the Helium Karabiner issued 10 Dec 2012.
For the safety of all of their customers Wild Country are issuing an immediate voluntary recall of certain batches of the Wild Country Helium karabiner delivered after July 15th 2012 and Helium quickdraws made from these karabiners.
If you own a Wild Country Helium karabiner or Helium quickdraw that was purchased after the 15th July 2012 please read this notice carefully and follow the link to the Wild Country website where you will be able to identify whether your product is from one of the affected batches.
Jason Myers, Wild Country Sales Director, commented:  "Recently, our testing procedures uncovered a problem in a very small percentage of Helium karabiners relating to the possibility that under load the karabiner gate may not hook up as effectively as it should. Obviously this is not acceptable and we have taken the decision to recall all the batches that may be affected. So if you have Helium karabiners bought after 15th July 2012 stop using them immediately and follow the link below to our website for instructions on how to identify and return faulty karabiners.
We apologise to any customers affected and assure everyone that any affected karabiners returned will be replaced ASAP with karabiners manufactured under revised procedures."

Please download  and read the notices below for full information:

Download

•   Helium karabiner Voluntarily Recall Notice 10_12_2012
•   Helium Recall FAQs 10_10_2012

MUSANDAM ADVENTURE RACE - 1st March 2013

Last year Mike Nott came up with a plan, a very good plan. A plan for an adventure race. The toughest one day adventure race in the region. A group of us tested this plan. Only one team finished!!!! Well the plan is back and is open for teams to apply to enter. Mike has asked us to post the details on our blog, here they are:

The Musandam Adventure Race is a serious undertaking and, for those choosing to do the Full Monty, it is probably the toughest one day event of this nature in the region. Consequently, there will be an element of vetting of those wishing to do this option.  For members of the Relay teams you must be able to cope with the worst eventualities alone.

The race starts and finishes in Khor Najd, completing a loop of the eastern side of the Musandam Peninsula by kayak, foot and bike. You will need to be entirely self-sufficient in all things; there will be no checkpoints and no assistance along the route (not even rescue), however, a dhow will shadow the kayakers and your car will shadow your riders.

Registration for this event will open in December 2012.

Team Requirements:

There are two team categories for entry, as follows:

Relay:  A team of three (no exceptions), comprising a kayaker, a runner and a mountain biker. Each of the three disciplines is done by one team member at a time as a relay.

Full Monty (FM): A team of three (no exceptions) completing all three disciplines together, plus a non-competing driver.

Race Description:

The event starts and finishes in Khor Najd. It comprises: a 35km sea kayak, a 22km mountain run and a 65km mountain bike. The race pans out as follows (italicised timings are guestimates):

Time	Event
Race Start 06.30	All Relay runners get on dhow at Khor Najd. Relay and FM sea kayakers leave Khor Najd for Limah. Dhow shadows kayakers.
TBC	Relay and FM surf skiers leave Khor Najd for Limah.
Team choice	Relay team bikers and FM support drivers leave Khor Najd for Maqalayli in team vehicles with bikes. You need to be at Maqalalyi before your runner/team arrives; this gives you about 6 hours – so no excuses for not getting there on time!
11.00 – 12.00	Relay runners get off dhow at  Limah. FM and Relay kayakers arrive Limah, hand over to relay runners. FM and Relay runners leave Limah for Maqalayli. Relay kayakers and dhow crew load kayaks and selves onto boat. Boat departs Limah for Khor Najd.
14.30 – 15.30	FM and Relay runners arrive Maqalayli, hand over to bikers. FM and Relay bikers leave Maqalalyi for Khor Najd. Relay runners and FM support drivers drive vehicles to Khor Najd, shadowing their biker/team.
19.30 – 21.00	FM and Relay bikers and vehicles arrive Khor Najd. Boat arrives Khor Najd. Race complete!
Your Choice	Go home.

Notes:

Kayaking:  Single sea kayaks (doubles allowed for FM teams) are recommended but single surf skis (doubles allowed for FM teams) will be permitted. No towing will be allowed for FM teams and no Dhow wave riding allowed for anybody. Those competing in surf skis will be subject to a time handicap (you will start later than those in sea kayaks). Emergency survival equipment, buoyancy aids, spray decks etc… are recommended. Note: FM teams must be either all sea kayaks or all surf skis.

Colin looking strong

Dhow:  The dhow will carry the Relay teams’ runners from Khor Najd to the start of the run, at Limah, whilst shadowing the kayakers. The dhow will stop approx 50m off shore, it is up to teams how their runner gets ashore (e.g. swim or get towed/lifted in by their paddler). The Relay team’s kayakers/skiers will have to help load their kayaks/skis on to the dhow for the return trip back to the start. For those doing the FM, you will leave your kayaks/skis on the beach and they will be loaded by the dhow crew. If you’re a little bit precious about your boats, then you’ll need to supervise/do the loading yourselves. The boats will be stacked on the dhow’s deck.

Runners:  The run starts off on the beach at Limah and then onto the road out of Limah, which then deteriorates into a graded track, then a rough track, then a boulder strewn wadi bottom before reaching the difficult part. The difficult part is a steep, loose and exposed track up the side of the wadi and an even looser descent to the finish of the run. You should consider doing it in sturdy fell-running shoes or light-weight trekking boots; normal running trainers are not suitable. A telescopic trekking pole is recommended, as well as water, food etc…

Andy on the final push to the ridgeline

Bikers:  The bike route is on good graded tracks, except the first 1km or so. The ascent is punishing and the descent will need nerve, focus and strong brakes. You must have a helmet and you will likely do the descent, and probably some of the ascent, in the dark; you must have good bike lights, front and rear. You will need warm clothes and waterproofs (last year it was 8°C and driving, cold rain).

John, Rachel and Darryl on the punishing ascent

Route: You will be sent a .gpx file of the route with key waypoints.  You are responsible for your own navigation and associated aids.

Support:  There is no external support: no water, no help, no rescue, nothing! The dhow will shadow the kayakers and you will have your vehicle shadowing your biker/s but for the runners, there is nothing and the running leg is the most isolated and dodgy. You will need to be entirely self-sufficient throughout the entire race. If you feel you cannot cope with such isolation and deal with solo emergencies, do not enter.

Vehicles:  The driving terrain of the race is almost entirely on graded tracks, though the descent to Khor Najd and the start of the bike ride need a reasonably decent 4x4s to reach them.

            a.         Relay Team.   Your team must arrive in a single 4x4, carrying your kayak/ski and bike.  

            b.         Full Monty. Your team must arrive in a maximum of two 4x4s carrying your         kayaks/skis and bikes.

Passports:  You will need to carry your passports for the duration of the race.

Cost:  As you may have worked out, this race is being run with minimal bureaucracy and minimal support. i.e. almost none. The only cost in running this event is the cost of the dhow. Thus, the only ‘Cost’ in participating will be the cost of the dhow divided by the number of teams. I’m aiming to keep it to about AED500 per team but will try and bring some certainty to it once I know the number of teams etc...

Further detail available from:  michaelnott@hotmail.com

Walltopia Sales Showroom For Dubai

Global Climbing, regional representative of Walltopia climbing walls, is delighted to announce the designs for Walltopia’s Dubai sales showroom are completed.  Next is the engineering and factory production followed by installation in early 2013.

With this facility we will be able to showcase to our clients the diverse, innovative and exciting range of Walltopia’s artificial climbing structures with wall sections of:

·         GRP High relief limestone

·         Space Design

·         Plain and carved Gemo3x

·         3D curves

·         GRP Granite

These will all be built on Walltopia’s revolutionary fully transferable steel structure.  Also on show will be Walltopia’s upgraded hydraulic auto belay system along with a traditional protection and belay training facility.  In addition to the hardware display, we will be at the forefront of development and testing of the global climbing eco-system from Walltopia.

This facility has been in concept for over a year but gained real impetus after the Walltopia sales conference early this summer.  This facility incorporates the new generation of Walltopia climbing eco-systems with harmonized wall sections and transferable support structures.  This allows for route setting beta to be transferred across the eco system with the new range of HRT 300 and white hold series along with progressive campus boards.

And what has got the climbers in our team really buzzing is that when the lights go out in the offices we will have 240m2 of the best artificial climbing training on our doorstep.  This includes 4.5 and 3.6m competition rated bouldering walls including an 8m roof, all with full safety matting.  If there are any climbers or potential climbers wanting to be part of this exciting project, then they should contact info@globalclimbing.com for membership details.  A warning, participation as a test member will expose you to the risk of getting obscenely strong and picking up a nick name along the lines of ‘Beast Send-it Crush Monster’.

Screen dump from design model:

  

Job Vacancy - Sales Support Administrator

We are currently looking to recruit for the new position of Sales Support Administrator. Below is the job description. If you are interested please find the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Job Title	Sales Support Administrator
Reporting To	Sales Manager
Place of Work	Company Dubai Office
Summary	Responsible for data entry, document preparation and administrative support to the sales team.
Specific Tasks	Sales administration including but not limited to: Drafting of proposals in support of the sales team Preparation of packing lists Preparation of delivery notes and invoices Data entry in support of sales activity Invoice follow up after deliveries are completed Liaising with the purchasing administrators in our retail partners and other clients Assisting with packing of consignments during surge periods
Supplementary Tasks	Assisting with the receipt of goods in Stock checks in support of ongoing inventory management Providing administrative support cover to procurement and logistics team during leave periods.
Essential Skills/ Qualifications	Excellent spoken and written English Organised approach to work with acute attention to detail High level of numeric literacy Clear and concise telephone manner in English High level computer literacy and in particular Excel spreadsheets and MS Outlook
Desirable Skills/ Qualifications	Previous experience or ability to learn Management Information Systems software (Quick Books)
Training Provided	Applicable components of Quick Books and essential functions of Excel to complete the job.  Completed as On The Job training.
Supervising	N/A
Hours of Work	Normal 5 days per week (Sunday – Thursday) with very occasional Saturday work in exceptional circumstances and no more than one Saturday per month. 09.00 to 17.30 with thirty minutes for lunch. 20 working days plus national holidays.
Bonus Scheme	Yes – Company Bonus Scheme, details to be announced
Probation Period	3 month
Date	Sept 2012
Prepared By	P W Aldwinckle If interested please email your CV to me in the first instance. Pete Aldwinckle, Director, Global Climbing LLC. Email:  info@globalclimbing.com.

New Offices and Warehouse on Google Maps

The new offices and warehouse can be located by simply typing "Global Climbing Dubai" into Google Maps

 Easy peasy lemon squeezy :-)


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BD QC Archive- Breaking Fixed Draws and Biners from a Dark, Dreary Cave Route

Taken from the Black Diamond QC Archives. More interesting articles can be found at - http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/journal/climb/all/qc-with-kp-from-the-archives-1

August 16, 2006 - Breaking Fixed Draws and Biners from a Dark, Dreary Cave Route


Lately I've had some people wondering how strong their old gear is-stuff that's usually been fixed on some 'proj' for some unknown amount of time-and rather than leaving it up indefinitely for some unsuspecting sucker to take the big ride, they remove it and if/when I get around to it we'll break it to see if we can learn anything.

Recently someone stripped their old gear off the route Burning in the Hell Cave at American Fork, Utah. Now talk about a hole. That place sees more seapage, water, cold and dark than you could imagine, but even still does manage to see some sunlight. These were classic beat-up looking draws. Super crusty webbing, corrosion and oxidation on the biners, the full meal deal...

My guess is as usual: the biners are much stronger than you would think given how they look, but the webbing which appeared to be dried up and even somewhat brittle was my concern.

Remember:

• The CE requirement for new slings is 22 kN
• Biners such as these must maintain 20 kN in closed gate, though all of these were rated stronger (22-26 kN)
• Typical sport falls are in the 2-5 kN range...
• We tested these in the tensile testing machine AS quickdraws-then after the webbing was broke, we tested the biners individually.

The Results
The biners all met their rated strength. It's nice to know that in most cases even old beat-up looking biners that have been left outside for months are still burly strong. The risk with these usually isn't the strength of the biner in closed gate, rather: sharp edges of worn biners causing a rope to cut (corroded, oxidized biners having such crappy gate action that the gate won't close). I know, I've climbed on draws with 'fixed' routes at Rifle, the VRG, the RED, Maple, etc and you clip your rope in then have to manually close the gate... not sweet.
All of the webbing failed to meet 22 kN. The range was as low as 13 kN and as high as 20 kN (the average value was 17.6 kN).
Conclusion
Though not dangerously weak, the nylon webbing from these quickdraws was definitely weaker than when new due to exposure to the elements, use, wear, etc. The biners were all still burly in closed-gate testing. The problem with mank gear like this is ensuring that the gate is closed... more on this in a later installment.

Moral of the Story
Now people have been climbing on these exact draws for who knows how long, without incident-and chances are they could have stayed up there for much longer and been fine, but you must use your common sense and don't climb on fixed gear that you think is suspect, and don't leave suspect gear on routes-you're not doing anyone any favors. Don't be shy to replace old crappy gear-it may cost you a bit, but it's good karma, plus you'll be doing yourself a favor on that redpoint burn-the last thing you want to be thinking is "I sure hope that old manky quickdraw at the crux is still strong enough in case I whip..."

Out for now,
KP

CHRIS SHARMA JOINS WALLTOPIA TEAM

Together Building Sender One Climbing & Fitness Walltopia is excited to announce that Chris Sharma is now Walltopia’s sponsored athlete. Walltopia, already the world’s leading climbing wall innovator and manufacturer, will partner with Chris to push the boundaries of what is possible for indoor climbing still further. Chris and Walltopia are also thrilled to announce Sender One Climbing & Fitness, a state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility to open in late Fall 2012 in Orange County, California. Sender One is the first climbing gym owned and designed by Chris. With nearly 25,000 square feet of floor space, Sender One will showcase: Some of the largest and tallest top rope and lead climbing walls in the United States Extensive bouldering terrain up to 18 feet in height, including topout 1-button transformable bouldering and training walls Walltopia’s LED-backlit translucent Space Design walls An IFSC standardized speed climbing wall State-of-the-art fitness equipment A dedicated yoga studio The first Funtopia adventure center – Walltopia’s most imaginative, interactive climbing invention yet – in the United States “It’s great to have the opportunity to give back to climbing what climbing has given to me,” explained Chris. “This gym will be the perfect way to share my passion for climbing with the climbing community and beyond, and Walltopia is without a doubt the best company to realize this vision.” “We are ecstatic to have Chris, the world’s most iconic climber, joining the Walltopia team to help bring new ideas to the climbing industry,” said Travis Mashin, head of Walltopia USA. “We are honored to build Chris’s first climbing gym, and we are also proud to provide our best and most cutting edge products in what will be one of the finest indoor climbing experiences in the world.” Chris Sharma (born April 23, 1981) is an elite American professional rock climber, with numerous difficult and famous first ascents. He is one of the most recognizable faces in rock climbing, and has been at the sport’s forefront for over a decade. He continues to set new standards, recently capturing first ascents of First Round First Minute (9b/5.15b) and Fight or Flight (9b/5.15b). Chris finished Fight or Flight the same day he also completed Chaxi (9a+/5.15a). Walltopia is the largest provider of climbing walls in the world, having installed over 1,000 climbing walls in more than 45 countries on 6 continents. The company leads the climbing wall market because of its continuing investment and effort into developing new indoor wall technologies and safety features as well as applications of these products. Walltopia not only sees but creates new trends and innovations that make for successful and exciting climbing gyms, facade walls, and amusement and leisure facilities. Best Regards The WALLTOPIA Team