Climbers call them “smurf gloves.” In fact, they’re polyurethane coated fishing gloves made by a Japanese company called Showa, and they’re one of the most unexpectedly ubiquitous pieces of gear in ice climbing.
Alpinist.com Derek Franz / March 12, 2021
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Haley Solos Patagonia s Cerro Standhart
Gwen Cameron
Colin Haley pauses for a self-portrait at the top of the ice chimney on Exocet (5.9 WI5, 500m), Cerro Standhart, Argentine Patagonia. On November 27, Haley soloed the climb in 12 hours. [Photo] Colin Haley Colin Haley made the first solo ascent of Cerro Standhart in the Fitz Roy Massif of Argentine Patagonia. On November 27, Haley rope- and free-soloed the 500m tower via Exocet (5.9 WI5).
advertisement By 4 a.m. on November 27, Haley arrived at the Standhardt-Bifida Col and the base of Exocet. He self-belayed the slabby first pitch and soloed across the large ramp system that bisects Standhardt s east face. The ramps led him to the crux of the climb: a vertical and largely blank granite wall split by an ice-choked chimney for four pitches (WI4, WI5, WI5, WI4). Hailey carefully free-soloed Pitches 1, 2 and 4, hauling his gea