HTO originated as a climbing shop. For over 30 years, Hudson Trail Outfitters has been the premier, full-service rock climbing shop east of the Rocky Mountains. Even though our involvement in other active outdoor sports has expanded, our commitment to technical rock climbing remains strong. We offer a full assortment of technical rock and ice climbing equipment, so please ask our staff about the latest gear available.


Climbing Equipment

There are several basic pieces of equipment you will need for rock climbing. Depending on what and where you are climbing, you may have to add extra items. The absolute minimum basic gear includes:_a UIAA approved climbing helmet, a properly fitted pair of rock climbing shoes, a UIAA approved dynamic kernmantle rope, a seat harness, basic hardware and a length of anchor webbing. If you plan on learning or training in a rock climbing gym, you will probably rent this equipment until you get more experienced.

Beginning Climber Checklist

_ Harness
_ Rock Climbing Shoes
_ Dynamic 11mm Rope
_ Belay/Rappel Device
_ Large Locking ‘D’ Carabiners
_ Oval Carabiners (5) &_Rescue Carabiner (1)
_ Carabiner Quickdraw Sets (at least 2 sets)
_ 30’ Pieces of 11mm Rope (at least 2 pieces)
_ 10’ Pieces of Tubular Anchor Webbing (at least 2 pieces)
_ Chalk Bag &_Chalk
_ UIAA_Approved Climbing Helmet

Climbing Shoes

Technical rock climbing shoes are not just footwear. Climbing shoes must be thought of as climbing
equipment. All climbing equipment is designed with a specific purpose and application in mind and will not perform if used incorrectly. There are some basic principles you should know about climbing shoe design before purchasing a pair.

Rock climbing shoes are not comfort fitted. All rock climbing shoes are designed to fit very snug on your foot and should feel tight and slightly uncomfortable to stand on. The design of the shoe is snug for several reasons. Most significantly, the tighter the shoe, the stiffer, more rigid your foot remains, thus enhancing foot placement, foot positioning, platform support and foot stability while climbing. A tight shoe stops your foot from slipping around inside the shoe and gives you the support and accuracy you need while climbing. You want and need a tight shoe for precise foot placement. No climbing shoe is stand-on-your-feet comfortable.

In order to get properly fitted for climbing shoes, please ask our staff to help you choose the right shoe based on what kind of climbing you are planning on doing. Whether you are a rock, gym, sport, indoor, or outdoor climber, we have a shoe that will fit your needs. It is important that our staff knows where and how you will use this equipment to help you in choosing the right shoe.

After you narrow down your choices for the style of shoe that is appropriate, you will then need to get measured for shoe sizing. This is extremely important even if you are sure of your foot size. Climbing shoes need to be very precisely fit, unlike common footwear, so please let our staff make sure you get the right size climbing shoe for the best possible fit.

Once you have several styles picked out and the correct sizing, please try on the shoes and test them out right in store. Ask our staff to test the shoes on our climbing walls, edge along narrow borders, toe jam in wall corners or traverse on railings to duplicate specific climbing maneuvers. Keep the shoes on your feet for a while because heat and pressure from your feet will alter the way the new shoes feel, even during the short time they are on your feet in the store. Please ask our staff to assist you in your decision to confirm the foot conformity and fit for you if you are unsure. We want to help you to be sure of your climbing shoe choice before you leave the store.

Important Notice: Once the footwear has been tested on rock, it can no longer be returned to the store. Rock climbing equipment can not be returned for safety reasons so it is best to test out the shoes in the store before buying. Rock tears up and grinds away the surface of climbing shoes and no shoe manufacturer will take shoes back once they are used on rock. However, if there are shoe defects, please see our return policy for further information.

Finally, remember that your new climbing shoes are intended to be used on rock. Hard, abrasive, rugged, harsh, rasping, tearing, grinding rock. This type of environment eats shoes. Climbing shoes are made to be worn out on the rock and do not last forever. They may not even last for more than a few months depending on the amount,
type and area of climbing that you do. All of these factors will impact how long the shoes will last. The focus on
climbing shoes is not how long they last, but rather where the shoes can take you. So, get out there and climb!

Traditional/Lead Climber Checklist

_ Harness
_ Rock Climbing Shoes
_ Dynamic 11mm Rope
_ Belay/Rappel Device
_ Large Locking ‘D’ Carabiners
_ Carabiner Quickdraw Sets (4-8 sets)
_ 30’ Pieces of 11mm Rope (at least 2 pieces)
_ 10’ Pieces of Tubular Anchor Webbing (at least 2 pieces)
_ Chalk Bag &_Chalk
_ UIAA_Approved Climbing Helmet
_ Dynamic Rope (2-8mm, 1 of each 10mm & 11mm)
_ Gear Sling
_ Hexes (sizes 1 through 8)
_ Stoppers (sizes 1 through 8)
_ Descending Rings &_Brake Bars
_ Camming Devices (all sizes)
_ Nut Tool
_ 26 Carabiners (10 Straight Gate, 10 Bent Gate, 5 Ovals, 1 Rescue Locking Carabiner)
_ Alpine Hammer (aid)
_ Etrier (aid)
_ Assorted rope or web runners


Climbing Instruction

WARNING: Technical ice and rock climbing are often dangerous, hazardous activities. It is the responsibility of the user of climbing equipment to obtain competent instruction and to exercise adequate precautions for safety when climbing. No written information or statistic can replace competent instruction on climbing technique or climbing safety. Please climb with care and get professional instruction. Please contact any of the following locations for professional instruction and more information:

Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound, http://www.outwardboundcompass.org
Baltimore, MD (410) 448-1721

Earth Treks (indoor gym), http://www.earthtreksclimbing.com
Columbia, MD (410) 872-0060
Timonium, MD (410) 560-5665
Rockville, MD (800) CLIMB-UP

Genessee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, http://www.geneseevalley.org
Parkton, MD (410) 343-0101

OuterQuest, http://www.outerquest.com
Burke, VA (703) 869-3767

Sport Rock (indoor gym), http://www.sportrock.com
Rockville, MD (301) ROCK-111
Alexandria, VA (703) 212-ROCK
Sterling, VA (571) 434-ROCK

Seneca Rocks Climbing School, http://www.seneca-rocks.com
Seneca Rocks,WV (800) 548-0108

National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), http://www.nols.edu
Lander, WY (800) 710-NOLS


Local Climbing Locations

Maryland- Carderock, Annapolis Rocks, Rocks State Park
West Virginia- Seneca Rocks, New River Gorge
Virginia- Great Falls
New York- Schawangunks