About the A frames make sure that when you set them up you wrap around the peg in the middle correctly or else it will bust the peg. I have a picture of that I'll look for later!
Yeah we busted a peg that day by wrapping wrong. The pics above are wrapped correctly though, and in fact you can see the busted peg still working fine in the second one.
I know shoes- helmet- and carribeeners are universal but what about ropes and other things?
Unless you plan on doing more climbing on your own, anything beyond the gear you mentioned will cost a lot, and get used very little. Climbing is always done with a partner... if you are a beginner, you really won't need much beyond your personal gear (which you already listed).
A good rule of thumb: if you don't know what a piece of gear does/haven't been taught how to use it, don't buy it (yet).
I think gear may be the peak of the learning curve. IMHO. I am a free climber, and I have been scampering over, and up, natures obstacles since I was a kid. I will still climb anything that doesn't move (no comments, please!). Alas, I still need to learn the gear, and am not embarrassed to say, 'teach me'! I also don't want to spend more than necessary, so I will bring the basics: helmet, harness, and shoes, and buy the rest on the backside of the learning curve; once I learn the technicals of the gear.
On Topic: I use a TAMRAC Adventure 7. I've found that for a full on hike it lacks a bit o' space; and to store a body, and long lens (my longest is a 70-300m, 6-8") it is kind of hard to get it all in the bottom pouch, especially with say two more lenses, filters, and, well, you know, the little things you want in the field. But for short trips, into the green, it feels good, weight-wise on your back, just know for sure what you want to bring. This particular carrier has add straps to carry a tripod at the base of the pack, but it may rattle a bit on a long hike. It is a roomy day pack...great for an afternoon scramble/shoot..just add lunch! Haven't had it on my back for a climb (yet), but figure, stay light, and only take what you know you will use. Can't wait for 2008 gear reviews!
Catching Up
As far as what I'm looking to get out of this ...
My first reaction to the highlining photo was literally, "wow, that would scare the sh*t out of me."
And my second thought was, "I'll never forgive myself if I don't sign up."
So I'm just looking to force myself outside of my comfort zone.
I've done very small amounts of rock-climbing. I took a class on an indoor wall and went on an outdoor climb with a friend who had been climbing for years. But that was all years ago.
As for gear, I'll probably rent unless I get hooked on climbing between now and then.
Now that I've seen the pics, I think I'm puckering at about f/64.....
(I'm still game, though!)
Ahahahaha Schmooo everyone is fair game at these things girl,
and the instant you show the slightest hint of being clumbsy some buggar will capture it on film for sure, and post it on the forum
My first reaction to the highlining photo was literally, "wow, that would scare the sh*t out of me."
And my second thought was, "I'll never forgive myself if I don't sign up."
So I'm just looking to force myself outside of my comfort zone.
I've done very small amounts of rock-climbing. I took a class on an indoor wall and went on an outdoor climb with a friend who had been climbing for years. But that was all years ago.
As for gear, I'll probably rent unless I get hooked on climbing between now and then.
Teresa
Sounds great. I am glad you joined up despite thinknig it was crazy! Were excited about it for sure.
Ahahahaha Schmooo everyone is fair game at these things girl,
and the instant you show the slightest hint of being clumbsy some buggar will capture it on film for sure, and post it on the forum
.... Skippy
.
Oooh Kelsey is gonna kill me, but I have to since you posted that....
Oooh Kelsey is gonna kill me, but I have to since you posted that....
Kelsey on our recent rope jumping excursion:
:lol
Yeah Skippy, that's what I'm afraid of. In a way being around a bunch of great photographers is good therapy because you kind of just have to give up and trust each other at some point.
What type of camera bag / carrying case will everyone be bringing?
I haven't answered this yet because I'm a little confuzzled. Are we going to be lugging our gear up there? I had assumed that this was a separate activity and that I'd maybe have my P&S in a pocket, nothing more than that. But correct me if I'm wrong!
A backpack would totally throw off my (already very poor) balance....
I haven't answered this yet because I'm a little confuzzled. Are we going to be lugging our gear up there? I had assumed that this was a separate activity and that I'd maybe have my P&S in a pocket, nothing more than that. But correct me if I'm wrong!
A backpack would totally throw off my (already very poor) balance....
Well you'll at LEAST need your camera with you! The main concentration will be on how to handle ropes and rigging in such a way that you can get YOU and your CAMERA into a better position for that sweet shot. Of course in order to do this we need to climb, and a prime usage of high angle roped photography is shooting climbers, so it all fits together nicely!
Your camera bag should of course be capable of lugging your equipment up to the rocks. From there, it's likely to be a matter of lighter and more mobile carrying methods to get the camera up the rock. I choose the "hang it around my neck" method typically, but to each his own. I have a small Lowepro backpack that also works well, although when I get into position I have to sling it around to the front and open it to get the camera out, which dramatically improves the risks of dropping things. Nobody wants to drop things, so our great minds will be put to work to prevent that.
Well you'll at LEAST need your camera with you! The main concentration will be on how to handle ropes and rigging in such a way that you can get YOU and your CAMERA into a better position for that sweet shot. Of course in order to do this we need to climb, and a prime usage of high angle roped photography is shooting climbers, so it all fits together nicely!
Your camera bag should of course be capable of lugging your equipment up to the rocks. From there, it's likely to be a matter of lighter and more mobile carrying methods to get the camera up the rock. I choose the "hang it around my neck" method typically, but to each his own. I have a small Lowepro backpack that also works well, although when I get into position I have to sling it around to the front and open it to get the camera out, which dramatically improves the risks of dropping things. Nobody wants to drop things, so our great minds will be put to work to prevent that.
Kelsey, what did you have in mind when you asked?
Yup the main idea for us was getting you AND your camera up safely to take pictures. There will be times when we will rig others up just to take pictures from above and let you get some practice with that. Its a really fun thing and will mix most everything you will learn!
As for how to carry it thats a tuff one. I have found that my favorite choice by far is the really odd yet easy to use fanny pack. I usually just slide it around to the front and theres my camera. It is easy to slide around as well if it gets in your way while climbing. If its to big it will be combersome. I would think about a fanny pack big enough for just the camera and possibly one extra lens. With the backpack johns got it down pretty well and it is a good option as well. HOwever you don't want it huge! I would consider what john has the biggest you will want. Which one is it again john? Which would accomodate a few lenses and an extra battery along with the camera. Still, its good to remember the more you have the more you can lose! I like having just the camera with my pre selected lens attached.
You can bring your huge pack and selection to the base of the climb and select from there as well. If you don't have anything at all that will work for this we may be able to accomodate for this by swapping bags for the climb.
Heres a list of important things to have:
Camera Strap on the camera! - Very important I believe. Its easy to fumble while hanging on ropes. First thing I like to do is put the strap around my neck then take out the camera.
A backpack or waistpack. - Not to big. Smaller is often better. You won't want to bring that 400mm and 300mm and 200mm and 50mm and and and....
A top strap on the backpack or waistpack - Most backpacks have this top strap. Its the little U strap on the very top of the pack. Make sure its strong. Often you will hang your pack from a hook or something simliar and its best to have something strong to hang it by!
A pen cleaning brush - These work great and are very small. Its really easy to get dirt and other things on your lens in these situations. You'll want something easy to carry and small to bring up the rock with you.
As far as what we will be doing the smugmug shootout is a photography shootout and our friendly gathering wont be much different, were just going to add another element. I'll sit down soon and hopefully we can get some of the final details hammered out and so everyone will know what to expect. !
Thanks for the clarification, Kelsey and John! When I climb things for photos I generally hang the camera around my neck by the strap and pray that the hood will protect the lens from banging too hard against whatever's around me. But I think for this a smaller backpack or even a cheesy-looking waist attachment would be worth it. When I go shooting I use a Whickey and Cox which is half my size - way too big for climbing.
Although if I make it to the top of whatever wall you set us, at that point I am sure that the photos Dgrinners are taking from below will be much more valuable to me.
I have found that my favorite choice by far is the really odd yet easy to use fanny pack. I usually just slide it around to the front and theres my camera. It is easy to slide around as well if it gets in your way while climbing. If its to big it will be combersome. I would think about a fanny pack big enough for just the camera and possibly one extra lens
Glad to hear this. It seems like one more reason to pony up for a Think Tank belt system, with chimp cage, or maybe the Change Up.
"Don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to. Oh well."
-Fleetwood Mac
Thanks for the clarification, Kelsey and John! When I climb things for photos I generally hang the camera around my neck by the strap and pray that the hood will protect the lens from banging too hard against whatever's around me. But I think for this a smaller backpack or even a cheesy-looking waist attachment would be worth it. When I go shooting I use a Whickey and Cox which is half my size - way too big for climbing.
Although if I make it to the top of whatever wall you set us, at that point I am sure that the photos Dgrinners are taking from below will be much more valuable to me.
Taking a picture of climbing from below is often difficult and results in what we like to call the "butt shot" heh. Its very common from the ground. One thing we hope to work on is turning pictures into showing the action of climbing and get the real feel of height, energy, and exposure. Exposure in climbing sense is more of the height combined with your own personal comfort level. Here is a picture someone has taken from the ground. (Random picture from someone I don't know)
Its not to bad but shows little as to how he's feeling about his next hold. What is coming next? Whats below him? All unknown! So we add a new element into it and get above him! (Johns Picture)
Now we can see the face, whats next, whats below and it begins to look a little more intense! When we get to the point where john has taken this photo he's hanging from a rope above me.
Heres another example. Christopher is climbing here and from below this route doesn't look to intimdating. But from above it begins to look a bit more daunting. Also as a belayer I have to make sure if he falls he dosent fall all the way to the ground too! Its an interesting system to work and its one of the things I think we would like to do in this gathering as well.
This is the system I had setup on this very solid anchor so I could belay and shoot, now christopher is hanging from it.
As far as having the camera around the neck the problem comes from the climbing! Its really tuff to climb and not have it banging against the rock constantly. You need both your hands and sometimes you just cant toss it back around! Ive had this problem before heh and Ive got some nice scratches on my past cameras because of it. Having it on a pack will do wonders. If you don't want to buy an extra one I wouldn't worry about it much we could always have you climb up and strap in and then we would tie your big ol pack to the end of the rope and you could haul it up!
The time is fast approaching. The original thread has come alive with recent posts. It seems to me the climbing/slacklining participation has waned a bit from the initial announcement. Have you guys figured out how the climbing schedule will fit into the general schedule? You might want to discuss the scheduling and group organizing details with Andy so we're all on the same page and have a better idea of what will happen when. Thanks.
Cuong
"She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
There is no general schedule... People go out when they want to go out and follow the pros when they head out. The shootout is very "loose"
Looks like there will be group activities for sunrise, sunset, and night shooting. I figure climbing/slacklining will take place during the day, between sunrise and sunset. It'd be nice to have a general idea and approximate time of all the activities throughout the day so people know what to expect and participate accordingly.
Cuong
"She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
There is no general schedule... People go out when they want to go out and follow the pros when they head out. The shootout is very "loose"
While this has been true, it will be less true this year, as we do plan on providing more structure. And there is, of course, the matter of chasing the light, and the thinking that mid-day while the light is poor maybe a good time for this kind of activity.
The other thing that I want to be really clear on, is that this is NOT a part of the shootout. It's an ancillary thing that some of you are interested in doing, but it's not something that Digitlal Grin is taking care of or is responsible for.
Comments
Yeah we busted a peg that day by wrapping wrong. The pics above are wrapped correctly though, and in fact you can see the busted peg still working fine in the second one.
www.morffed.com
locking 'biners. fortunately, a short drop and no fall :eek1
What type of camera bag / carrying case will everyone be bringing?
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
I'll take my Lowepro SlingShot 300 for the 30D and a compact bag for the Canon G6.
Cuong
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
You gave a list of gear for slacklining- is this gear good for climbing too or is there a different seperate list for that?
I know shoes- helmet- and carribeeners are universal but what about ropes and other things?
Aaron Newman
Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
A good rule of thumb: if you don't know what a piece of gear does/haven't been taught how to use it, don't buy it (yet).
moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]
As far as what I'm looking to get out of this ...
My first reaction to the highlining photo was literally, "wow, that would scare the sh*t out of me."
And my second thought was, "I'll never forgive myself if I don't sign up."
So I'm just looking to force myself outside of my comfort zone.
I've done very small amounts of rock-climbing. I took a class on an indoor wall and went on an outdoor climb with a friend who had been climbing for years. But that was all years ago.
As for gear, I'll probably rent unless I get hooked on climbing between now and then.
Teresa
Ahahahaha
and the instant you show the slightest hint of being clumbsy some buggar will capture it on film for sure, and post it on the forum
.... Skippy
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Sounds great. I am glad you joined up despite thinknig it was crazy! Were excited about it for sure.
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
Oooh Kelsey is gonna kill me, but I have to since you posted that....
Kelsey on our recent rope jumping excursion:
www.morffed.com
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto
:lol
Yeah Skippy, that's what I'm afraid of. In a way being around a bunch of great photographers is good therapy because you kind of just have to give up and trust each other at some point.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
I haven't answered this yet because I'm a little confuzzled. Are we going to be lugging our gear up there? I had assumed that this was a separate activity and that I'd maybe have my P&S in a pocket, nothing more than that. But correct me if I'm wrong!
A backpack would totally throw off my (already very poor) balance....
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Well you'll at LEAST need your camera with you!
Your camera bag should of course be capable of lugging your equipment up to the rocks. From there, it's likely to be a matter of lighter and more mobile carrying methods to get the camera up the rock. I choose the "hang it around my neck" method typically, but to each his own.
Kelsey, what did you have in mind when you asked?
www.morffed.com
Yup the main idea for us was getting you AND your camera up safely to take pictures. There will be times when we will rig others up just to take pictures from above and let you get some practice with that. Its a really fun thing and will mix most everything you will learn!
As for how to carry it thats a tuff one. I have found that my favorite choice by far is the really odd yet easy to use fanny pack. I usually just slide it around to the front and theres my camera. It is easy to slide around as well if it gets in your way while climbing. If its to big it will be combersome. I would think about a fanny pack big enough for just the camera and possibly one extra lens. With the backpack johns got it down pretty well and it is a good option as well. HOwever you don't want it huge! I would consider what john has the biggest you will want. Which one is it again john? Which would accomodate a few lenses and an extra battery along with the camera. Still, its good to remember the more you have the more you can lose! I like having just the camera with my pre selected lens attached.
You can bring your huge pack and selection to the base of the climb and select from there as well. If you don't have anything at all that will work for this we may be able to accomodate for this by swapping bags for the climb.
Heres a list of important things to have:
Camera Strap on the camera! - Very important I believe. Its easy to fumble while hanging on ropes. First thing I like to do is put the strap around my neck then take out the camera.
A backpack or waistpack. - Not to big. Smaller is often better. You won't want to bring that 400mm and 300mm and 200mm and 50mm and and and....
A top strap on the backpack or waistpack - Most backpacks have this top strap. Its the little U strap on the very top of the pack. Make sure its strong. Often you will hang your pack from a hook or something simliar and its best to have something strong to hang it by!
A pen cleaning brush - These work great and are very small. Its really easy to get dirt and other things on your lens in these situations. You'll want something easy to carry and small to bring up the rock with you.
As far as what we will be doing the smugmug shootout is a photography shootout and our friendly gathering wont be much different, were just going to add another element.
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
Although if I make it to the top of whatever wall you set us, at that point I am sure that the photos Dgrinners are taking from below will be much more valuable to me.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
Glad to hear this. It seems like one more reason to pony up for a Think Tank belt system, with chimp cage, or maybe the Change Up.
-Fleetwood Mac
Taking a picture of climbing from below is often difficult and results in what we like to call the "butt shot" heh. Its very common from the ground. One thing we hope to work on is turning pictures into showing the action of climbing and get the real feel of height, energy, and exposure. Exposure in climbing sense is more of the height combined with your own personal comfort level. Here is a picture someone has taken from the ground. (Random picture from someone I don't know)
Its not to bad but shows little as to how he's feeling about his next hold. What is coming next? Whats below him? All unknown! So we add a new element into it and get above him! (Johns Picture)
Now we can see the face, whats next, whats below and it begins to look a little more intense! When we get to the point where john has taken this photo he's hanging from a rope above me.
Heres another example. Christopher is climbing here and from below this route doesn't look to intimdating. But from above it begins to look a bit more daunting. Also as a belayer I have to make sure if he falls he dosent fall all the way to the ground too! Its an interesting system to work and its one of the things I think we would like to do in this gathering as well.
This is the system I had setup on this very solid anchor so I could belay and shoot, now christopher is hanging from it.
As far as having the camera around the neck the problem comes from the climbing! Its really tuff to climb and not have it banging against the rock constantly. You need both your hands and sometimes you just cant toss it back around! Ive had this problem before heh and Ive got some nice scratches on my past cameras because of it. Having it on a pack will do wonders. If you don't want to buy an extra one I wouldn't worry about it much we could always have you climb up and strap in and then we would tie your big ol pack to the end of the rope and you could haul it up!
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
http://current.com/items/76415702_never_let_go
Moderator of: Location, Location, Location , Mind Your Own Business & Other Cool Shots
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/sports/othersports/14climber.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Moderator of: Location, Location, Location , Mind Your Own Business & Other Cool Shots
I Live at http://www.alaskamountainforum.com
The time is fast approaching. The original thread has come alive with recent posts. It seems to me the climbing/slacklining participation has waned a bit from the initial announcement. Have you guys figured out how the climbing schedule will fit into the general schedule? You might want to discuss the scheduling and group organizing details with Andy so we're all on the same page and have a better idea of what will happen when. Thanks.
Cuong
There is no general schedule... People go out when they want to go out and follow the pros when they head out. The shootout is very "loose"
Cuong
While this has been true, it will be less true this year, as we do plan on providing more structure. And there is, of course, the matter of chasing the light, and the thinking that mid-day while the light is poor maybe a good time for this kind of activity.
The other thing that I want to be really clear on, is that this is NOT a part of the shootout. It's an ancillary thing that some of you are interested in doing, but it's not something that Digitlal Grin is taking care of or is responsible for.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops