Alex’s Top 5 Best Items of Gear in 2022.
It’s been a busy year of instruction here at Beyond the Edge. I’ve worked on Mountain Leader and Hill and Moorland Leader training and assessment courses. I’ve taught loads of rock climbing, including introduction and beginners courses as well as teaching lead climbing both trad and sport. And also training and assessing on Rock Climbing instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor courses. Our work is always tough on gear and we use it all day, everyday. Here are my best items of gear in 2022.
Blue Ice Moonlight 55L
I’m a big fan of Blue Ice packs (I own four!) and the Moonlight 55L is definitely my favourite so far. At 55 litres it’s big enough for a day of teaching and instructing rock climbing (you end up carrying loads of gear ie rack, ropes, ascenders, helmet, guidebooks, first aid kit, lunch etc etc). It has two zipped top pockets and two really useful side pockets. The fabric is very durable and this pack should be able to endure the abuse of working on the gritstone edges. Buy Here
Blue Ice Moonlight 55L
Patagonia R1 Air Zip Neck
Simple design, nice and cosy, quick drying. and as a bonus Patagonia have exemplary environmental and ethical policies. I’ve been wearing this lovely fleece most days. More info Here or buy Here.
Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck
Sun God Renegades
Sun glasses are an underrated essential. The problem is that they tend to be quite fragile and once broken just end up in land fill. So I decided I wanted sunglasses that were durable but also sustainable. Sun God like Beyond the Edge (as are Patagonia and Blue Ice) are members of 1% For the Planet and if your Sun God sunglasses break they will repair them free of charge. Buy Here.
Leatherman Signal
This is one of those items you don’t think you will need until you get one. It’s been living in my work pack throughout the summer and happily dealing with various random jobs and tasks. More info here or buy here.
Leatherman Signal
Patagonia DAS Light
I’ve had loads of synthetically insulated jackets over the years and this is my new favourite. Very light, with simple effective design and warm enough for most UK use. This will be living in my pack as my spare layer throughout the winter. Mens version here. Women’s version here
Patagonia DAS Light
Alex
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
