Ultralight TCU Pkg
5
5
3
3
Fills in small gaps
I got these mostly for the really small pieces. After I got the whole package I realized the finger size pieces fill in nicely with my Black Diamond cams. The size is just different enough to work when the BD will not but close enough to constitute doubles in those sizes. When fiddling with a nut isn't ideal, I have found the really small pieces to be really handy. I really like my double rack after finishing it out with these cams. They feel really solid. Maybe because they are a lot newer than my other cams. The only con I have found is the trigger. With deeper placements in a horizontal crack, the trigger is more llikely to be pulled against the rock edge. But this is easily remedied by using some other piece of gear.
April 15, 2011
TCU - Can't beat it
These things are solid in the small sizes vs. BDs. Saw them on a lot of racks in Yosemite.....what other proof do you need.
January 6, 2011
Metolius Rocks!!!
CAMS - In the past I have been running a rack of all BD C4's, nuts & the 2 smallest aliens. I have a gap in range between the blue Alien & the .3 C4. (I have a full set of C3's & don't like/trust them in awkward placements.) I figured I would add a couple aliens until I fell in love with the TCU brought by a partner on Fairview Dome last Sept. Switching to Metolius solves the reliability & duribility issues with Aliens. Read the Master Cam (MC) reviews (especially Chris Mac's on ST), analyzed a gear spread spread sheet (that I made) & it all makes since. The goal is to stay with the same manufacturer of cams to simplify sizing under pressure & keep the ability to switch gear based upon the route. I considered weight range durability ability to interchange based upon climbing styles (crag, alpine & aid) RACK SMALL CAM SYSTEM 1. CRAG Master Cams, full set BD C4, full set up #2 or #3 depending on route and assuming no offwidth. If OW the Big Bros & Valley Giant by Tom Casper come out to play!!! 2. ALPINE - Weight is a concern. Replace the Master Cams set with TCU set. Cut's the weight in 1/2 for (equal # of samll cams); equal low-end range for easy sizing & TCU goes wider on top-end; colors coded slings match. 3. AID Bring it all!!!
January 28, 2010
