QC LAB: ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE AND AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS
With ski season kicking off, the QA Lab crew dives deep into the world...
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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: ALUMINUM VS. STEEL ICE SCREWS
Light is right, but steel is real. So, when it comes to ice screws,...
QC LAB: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF USING SNOW ANCHORS
The QC Lab team is joined by IFMGA Mountain Guide Mark Smiley to discuss...
QC LAB: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARABINER
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....
QC LAB: DAISY CHAIN DANGERS
We see it all the time. People at the cliff with one or two...
QC LAB: WORN BELAY LOOPS AND RETIRING A HARNESS
The following QC Lab was originally posted years back after Todd Skinner died in...
QC LAB: THE BEAUTY AND LIMITATIONS OF BIG CAMS
The bigger the better, right? Well, not so fast. In this QC Lab, Quality...
QC LAB: CONNECTING TWO SLINGS TOGETHER
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....
QC LAB: OLD VS. NEW GEAR TESTING
Remember that weathered tree tat you were eyeing? Or how ‘bout that 20-year-old 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...
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...
QC LAB: PERSONAL ANCHOR SYSTEMS EXPLAINED
In this QC Lab, BD’s Climbing Category Director Kolin Powick (aka KP) digs into...
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...
QC LAB: THE ELECTRIC HARNESS ACID TEST
Our Quality crew investigates a mysterious harness failure and dives into the effects of...
QC LAB: WEAKNESS OF NOSE-HOOKED CARABINERS
QC LAB: THUNDERSTRUCK: WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES YOUR GEAR
Join the QC Lab crew as we test an MIT Professor’s rack after being...
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...
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...
QC LAB: WORN ANCHORS
Over time cold shuts, leaver biners and chain links wear from countless lowers. Will...
QC LAB: SLINGS AND QUICKDRAWS
KP and the crew present Part III of their Gear Doesn't Last Forever series...
QC LAB: RETIRING OLD ROPES
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....
QC LAB: FULL STRENGTH HAUL LOOPS
KP and the crew tackle a question that is often heard at the base...
QC LAB: AUTOBLOCK MISUSE
We've been getting quite a few questions on the use of the Black Diamond...
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....
QC LAB: GIRTH HITCHING A STOPPER
QC LAB: DANGERS OF ROPE WORN CARABINERS
There was an accident at the Red River Gorge where a climber fell going...
QC LAB: VIA FERRATA
This month, KP and the crew discuss a via ferrata accident (NOT involving Black...
QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—CRAMPONS
Our QA engineers take a look at the realistic lifespan of a crampon.
QC LAB: GEAR DOESN'T LAST FOREVER—ICE TOOL PICKS
This month is first part of a series the QA engineers are doing on...
QC LAB: THE DANGERS OF MODIFYING YOUR GEAR
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing’s most common gear-related questions....
QC LAB: HOW STRONG IS THE SPINNER LEASH?
QC LAB: In this post KP weighs in on the intended use and risks...
QC LAB: TWISTY ROPES
The dreaded twisty rope is the bane of every climber’s existence. Not only is...
QC LAB: WHAT IS THE STRONGEST RAPPEL KNOT?
Rappel knot choice (Double Fisherman's, Ring Bend or Euro Death/Overhand) has always been up...
QC LAB: DRAWS IN A GYM
We've tested many fixed quickdraws from sport routes from all over the country. A...
QC LAB: SLING STRENGTH IN 3 ANCHOR CONFIGURATIONS
QC LAB: HOW STRONG ARE HIMALAYAN FIXED LINES?
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....
QC LAB: EXTENDING A CAM SLING
The sling-on-sling method of extending a cam sling does save the use of a...
QC LAB: HOW ICE SCREWS ARE MADE
If you’re an ice climber, you’ve probably wondered … “how are my ice screws...
QC LAB: TO SCREAMER OR NOT TO SCREAMER?
This post comes direct from QA Manager Corey LaForge, who returned from a recent...
QC LAB: RE-SLINGING CAMALOTS AND C3S
One of the most common questions we get at Black Diamond is regarding reslinging...
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....
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...
QC LAB: REMOUNTING PREVIOUSLY DRILLED SKIS
Our QC Lab posts aim to answer some of climbing's most common gear-related questions....
