THE BD EXPERIENCE

Welcome to the Black Diamond Experience, an organic presentation of inspirational stories, photos and videos from our athletes, employees and partners. The Black Diamond Experience is where we showcase climbing, skiing and hiking adventures from around the world, plus event news, advocacy efforts and product and technology highlights-all in one dynamic smorgasbord of stoke. Enjoy.

QC LAB: ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE AND AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

QC LAB: ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE AND AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

With ski season kicking off, the QA Lab crew dives deep into the world...

Read Article
QC Lab: Aluminum vs. Steel Ice Screws

QC LAB: ALUMINUM VS. STEEL ICE SCREWS

Light is right, but steel is real. So, when it comes to ice screws,...

Read Article
QC Lab: The Art and Science of Using Snow Anchors

QC LAB: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF USING SNOW ANCHORS

The QC Lab team is joined by IFMGA Mountain Guide Mark Smiley to discuss...

Read Article
QC LAB: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARABINER

QC LAB: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARABINER

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: DAISY CHAIN DANGERS

QC LAB: DAISY CHAIN DANGERS

We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two...

Read Article
QC LAB: WORN BELAY LOOPS AND RETIRING A HARNESS

QC LAB: WORN BELAY LOOPS AND RETIRING A HARNESS

The following QC Lab was originally posted years back after Todd Skinner died in...

Read Article
QC Lab: The Beauty and Limitations of Big Cams

QC LAB: THE BEAUTY AND LIMITATIONS OF BIG CAMS

The bigger the better, right? Well, not so fast. In this QC Lab, Quality...

Read Article
QC LAB: CONNECTING TWO SLINGS TOGETHER

QC LAB: CONNECTING TWO SLINGS TOGETHER

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: OLD VS. NEW GEAR TESTING

QC LAB: OLD VS. NEW GEAR TESTING

Remember that weathered tree tat you were eyeing? Or how ‘bout that 20-year-old rope...

Read Article
QC LAB: SHARPIE FOR MARKING THE MIDDLE OF A ROPE?

QC LAB: SHARPIE FOR MARKING THE MIDDLE OF A ROPE?

Here's the question we get asked probably more than any other: "Can I use...

Read Article
QC LAB: STRENGTH TESTING OF THE GEAR YOU'VE ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT

QC LAB: STRENGTH TESTING OF THE GEAR YOU'VE ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT

Ever wondered exactly how strong a cam placed in “umbrella” mode actually is? Or...

Read Article
QC LAB: PERSONAL ANCHOR SYSTEMS EXPLAINED

QC LAB: PERSONAL ANCHOR SYSTEMS EXPLAINED

In this QC Lab, BD’s Climbing Category Director Kolin Powick (aka KP) digs into...

Read Article
QC LAB: THE RISKS OF REBORING OLD ICE SCREW HOLES

QC LAB: THE RISKS OF REBORING OLD ICE SCREW HOLES

It’s tempting. You’re mid-pitch, wanting to save time and energy, and eyeing that nicely...

Read Article
QC LAB: THE ELECTRIC HARNESS ACID TEST

QC LAB: THE ELECTRIC HARNESS ACID TEST

Our Quality crew investigates a mysterious harness failure and dives into the effects of...

Read Article
QC LAB: WEAKNESS OF NOSE-HOOKED CARABINERS

QC LAB: WEAKNESS OF NOSE-HOOKED CARABINERS

Read Article
QC Lab: Thunderstruck: When Lightning Strikes Your Gear

QC LAB: THUNDERSTRUCK: WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES YOUR GEAR

Join the QC Lab crew as we test an MIT Professor’s rack after being...

Read Article
IF THIS GEAR COULD TALK: THE CAMS AND HAND-SEWN SLINGS OF PAUL PIANA

IF THIS GEAR COULD TALK: THE CAMS AND HAND-SEWN SLINGS OF PAUL PIANA

Used on legendary first ascents, such as the free Salathé (VI 5.13b), Paul Piana’s...

Read Article
QC LAB: OFF-AXIS AND TRI/QUAD-AXIAL LOADING

QC LAB: OFF-AXIS AND TRI/QUAD-AXIAL LOADING

QC LAB: OFF-AXIS AND TRI/QUAD-AXIAL LOADING Kelly Cordes emailed KP and the QC crew, posing...

Read Article
QC LAB: WORN ANCHORS

QC LAB: WORN ANCHORS

Over time cold shuts, leaver biners and chain links wear from countless lowers. Will...

Read Article
QC LAB: SLINGS AND QUICKDRAWS

QC LAB: SLINGS AND QUICKDRAWS

KP and the crew present Part III of their Gear Doesn't Last Forever series...

Read Article
QC LAB: RETIRING OLD ROPES

QC LAB: RETIRING OLD ROPES

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: FULL STRENGTH HAUL LOOPS

QC LAB: FULL STRENGTH HAUL LOOPS

KP and the crew tackle a question that is often heard at the base...

Read Article
QC LAB: AUTOBLOCK MISUSE

QC LAB: AUTOBLOCK MISUSE

We've been getting quite a few questions on the use of the Black Diamond...

Read Article
QC LAB: CAN A HOT BELAY DEVICE MELT MY SLINGS?

QC LAB: CAN A HOT BELAY DEVICE MELT MY SLINGS?

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: GIRTH HITCHING A STOPPER

QC LAB: GIRTH HITCHING A STOPPER

Read Article
QC LAB: DANGERS OF ROPE WORN CARABINERS

QC LAB: DANGERS OF ROPE WORN CARABINERS

There was an accident at the Red River Gorge where a climber fell going...

Read Article
QC LAB: VIA FERRATA

QC LAB: VIA FERRATA

This month, KP and the crew discuss a via ferrata accident (NOT involving Black...

Read Article
QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—CRAMPONS

QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—CRAMPONS

Our QA engineers take a look at the realistic lifespan of a crampon.

Read Article
QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—ICE TOOL PICKS

QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—ICE TOOL PICKS

This month is first part of a series the QA engineers are doing on...

Read Article
QC LAB: THE DANGERS OF MODIFYING YOUR GEAR

QC LAB: THE DANGERS OF MODIFYING YOUR GEAR

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing’s most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: HOW STRONG IS THE SPINNER LEASH?

QC LAB: HOW STRONG IS THE SPINNER LEASH?

QC LAB: In this post KP weighs in on the intended use and risks...

Read Article
QC LAB: TWISTY ROPES

QC LAB: TWISTY ROPES

The dreaded twisty rope is the bane of every climber’s existence. Not only is...

Read Article
QC LAB: WHAT IS THE STRONGEST RAPPEL KNOT?

QC LAB: WHAT IS THE STRONGEST RAPPEL KNOT?

Rappel knot choice (Double Fisherman's, Ring Bend or Euro Death/Overhand) has always been up...

Read Article
QC LAB: DRAWS IN A GYM

QC LAB: DRAWS IN A GYM

We've tested many fixed quickdraws from sport routes from all over the country. A...

Read Article
QC LAB: SLING STRENGTH IN 3 ANCHOR CONFIGURATIONS

QC LAB: SLING STRENGTH IN 3 ANCHOR CONFIGURATIONS

Read Article
QC LAB: HOW STRONG ARE HIMALAYAN FIXED LINES?

QC LAB: HOW STRONG ARE HIMALAYAN FIXED LINES?

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: EXTENDING A CAM SLING

QC LAB: EXTENDING A CAM SLING

The sling-on-sling method of extending a cam sling does save the use of a...

Read Article
QC LAB: HOW ICE SCREWS ARE MADE

QC LAB: HOW ICE SCREWS ARE MADE

If you’re an ice climber, you’ve probably wondered … “how are my ice screws...

Read Article
QC LAB: TO SCREAMER OR NOT TO SCREAMER?

QC LAB: TO SCREAMER OR NOT TO SCREAMER?

This post comes direct from QA Manager Corey LaForge, who returned from a recent...

Read Article
QC LAB: RE-SLINGING CAMALOTS AND C3S

QC LAB: RE-SLINGING CAMALOTS AND C3S

One of the most common questions we get at Black Diamond is regarding reslinging...

Read Article
QC LAB: DO ROPES NEED TO REST BETWEEN FALLS?

QC LAB: DO ROPES NEED TO REST BETWEEN FALLS?

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article
QC LAB: HOW SKETCHY IS A SHARP-EDGED CARABINER?

QC LAB: HOW SKETCHY IS A SHARP-EDGED CARABINER?

I've yanked a lot of worn, sharp-edged biners off of routes, and I've tested...

Read Article
QC LAB: REMOUNTING PREVIOUSLY DRILLED SKIS

QC LAB: REMOUNTING PREVIOUSLY DRILLED SKIS

Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....

Read Article