DIY - Gear Making & Modification

Stay sharp and practice your anchor skills! If you have a simple training board like this, you can rig up just about anything you can imagine: top rope anchors, rappel transitions, multipitch, and more. Cost is about $5 in materials, and five minutes of your time with basic hand tools. Check it out for complete instructions and step-by-step photos.

Tethers are not for everyone, but many people find their instant adjustability to be handy in lots of different climbing situations. Some of the more specialized ones can be quite expensive. Here's a low cost DIY version, using the cleverly designed Kong Slyde.

Ever wonder why the buckle for crampons is on the outside of your ankle, where it requires some spine-twisting contortions to properly thread the buckle, that you can barely see? Yeah, me too. Here's a simple modification you can do on most crampons: by reversing the straps, making it easier and more ergonomic to put ‘em on.

Got a broken wire on a cam? You might be able to fix it with some cord from a weed whacker and some simple hand tools.

You could spend $200+ on a high tech canister stove . . . or make one from a a cat food can in a few minutes. Unless you're melting a lot of snow for water, you really don't need to boil water in three minutes.

Your trusty climbing rope has served you well, and deserves a better fate than to be cut up into dog leashes. Make a rug out of it instead.

Try this little compass hack to increase accuracy when you measure UTM coordinates. (Warning, this is for map geeks only =^)

If you swap crampons between different boots, mark the most commonly used setting with a dab of fingernail polish. This makes it easy to reset it to the correct length.

Can’t reach your harness gear loops with a pack on? Solution: Add a small loop of stiff cord onto your pack straps as a convenient place to clip gear.

Your nut cleaning tool Is a crucial bit of climbing gear that you never want to drop. Here is a little DIY project that will ensure it always stays attached to you.

Lightweight gaiters often have a weak spot - the cord under your foot can easily fray and break. Replace it with a thin cable.

Are you setting up any sort of fixed rope where it might get loaded over an edge? Having some sort of protection on that spot for your rope is a Good Idea. Here's a quick way to make a DIY rope protector.

Are you battering your light hikers with rough terrain? Super glue on the shoe threads will help.

Ever drink a hot beverage out of your Jetboil pot? Yep. Ever burn your lips when you're trying to do it? Probably. Pro tip: Add a strip of duct tape onto the pot lid so you can leave that mug at home.

Got a tear in most any kind of outdoor fabric? Put away that needle and thread, and reach for the seam grip and tape.

Hissing propane lantern, or silent windproof candle? Candles, thank you.

You really want to avoid dropping your gloves on a big mountain. With this quick DIY project, you'll never have to concern yourself with this again.

Does it seem like that bolt is always J U S T out of reach? How about aid climbing a bolt ladder that must've been drilled by somebody 7 feet tall? Here's your answer: the “cheater” quickdraw.

Loose chalk, while a lot cheaper than a premade chalk ball, is also a big mess. But if you can get your hands on some delicate undergarments, you can easily make a homemade chalk ball on the cheap.

Tinfoil - a free, foldable and ultralight way to make a lid for your pot.

Dang, those little tent stakes are easy to lose if you put them down for a moment and don't remember where. Here’s a tip to help them stay found.