He is One Tough Mudder

The following trip report is from John Edmondson, Liberty Mountain’s Outlet Sales Specialist.

The Tough Mudder in Tooele, UT, for me, is about proof and support.  Proving to myself that I have what it takes to compete. Supporting our troops that have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

I participated in the Tough Mudder held at the Miller Motor Sports Park in Tooele, UT. The 12-mile course of mud and water was riddled with military style obstacles with grueling names like: Arctic Enema, Boa Constrictor, Electric Eel, Electroshock Therapy, Fire Walker, Gauntlet, Kiss of Mud, and Underwater Tunnels. The Arctic Enema was an ice water swim where the water is kept at 32 to 34 degrees.  The Electric Eel and Electroshock Therapy obstacles had un-avoidable wires surging 10,000 volts of electricity that make it feel I was like getting hit with a bat each time my body touched one. All the other obstacle involved pits, tunnels, walls, jumps, crawls, and carries… it had it all.

The event was cold.  The outside temperature never went above 45 degrees and the mud and water obstacles were frigid. We were told at the starting line that more than 1/3 of the participants would quit before reaching the finish line. This startling fact became evident after the second obstacle and more so as the day progressed.  More than 2/3 of the participants were younger than me, and often more “fit” than me; and many of them gave up and quit.

The event is definitely designed to celebrate your strengths and expose your weaknesses. Despite pain, fatigue, depleted motor skills due to the cold, and daunting obstacles, the Tough Mudder allows a person to realize what they are capable of.  It challenges yourself and others. It allows you to achieve and help others to achieve what you started out to do.  The Tough Mudder was definitely one of the toughest things I’ve done, and the most fun as well.  It was comforting to prove that this old pudgy guy can still hang with the young ones and even beat them still at some things.  It’s a great event, a great cause, and a great challenge; one I plan on doing again.

Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world and they partner with the Wounded Warrior Project and have raised, via participants and donations, over $3 million to benefit the WWP.  There were many of our military brothers and sisters at this event.  Some with physical wounds they were overcoming and others with mental wounds.  Tough Mudder is designed to show these veterans that they can still compete, lead, and participate in demanding events; and beat whatever they feel could hold them back.

Grivel Crampon Binding Systems

DIFFERENT BOOTS = DIFFERENT BINDINGS

Every climber/skier/mountaineer has their own preference as to what type of climbing they prefer to do. Not only do they favor a specific type of climbing, they also choose a specific boot for the adventure. Trying to throw your favorite crampon onto a mountaineering boot seems easy enough, but what about trying to throw that same crampon onto a ski boot, snowboard boot, or even a trekking boot?

Grivel has your back, more like your feet, on this one. Thanks to Grivel's five main binding systems, your preferred crampon model now has multiple binding options to choose from.

Grivel Binding Systems (from left to right, top to bottom): Ski Matic, New Classic, Cramp-O-Matic, New Matic, & Race

CRAMP-O-MATIC:
A well-known system which relies on a nylon speed lever at the rear and a stainless steel front bale to hold the boot. Quick to put on, these bindings are prefect for plastic mountaineering boots that have a rigid sole and substantial heel and toe welts. The stainless steel safety strap, which was invented by Grivel, is Permanently mounted on the front bale and prevents total loss of the crampon should it be forced off the boot.

NEW MATIC:
An evolution of the Cramp-O-Matic system which utilizes the C-O-M rear bale and lever. The plastic harness system is hinged from two front posts that retain the boot securely even if it has a shallow, worn front welt or when overboots are being used. It is a simple and efficient binding, which is far more versatile than the original Cramp-O-Matic style. Made in bi-component plastic: the black part is the stronger, bearing the strain whilst the yellow part is softer, increasing adherence to the boot. The harness is made from the strongest, most durable plastic available called Zytel DuPont, which was developed for the manufacturing of alpine ski bindings.

NEW CLASSIC:
An evolution of the Classic binding. Both front and rear plastic harnesses are hinged from their respective retention posts and may be “opened” to facilitate attachment to the boot, then closed securely once the boot is inside. The single Strap closure system is so simple we may not need to provide instructions; the New Classic is therefore ideal for rental programs and fist-time users. This system is simple and reliable, quick and easy, but it does take up a bit more space in the rucksack.

SKI MATIC AND RACE:

Totally new binding system specific for ski touring. It considers the technical needs while providing simplicity and lightness. The new front bail is “bomb proof” because it adapts easily and perfectly to the modern ski touring boots. Compact storage and minimum weight for transportation. Warning: the front binding fits modern plastic ski touring boots and it is not guaranteed for traditional mountain boots.

Now that you've gotten a little more familiar with all of Givel's binding systems, watch these videos for an even better look at each one.

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Grivel is the leading manufacturer of crampons. Grivel introduced the first 10-point crampon and has since introduced many more intuitive designs that have advanced this vital piece of mountain gear.

If you are having a hard time finding Grivel products at your favoriate gear store, visit www.libertymountainclimbing.com.

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