|
abtisme
Dec 7, 2005, 2:43 AM
Post #1 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 50
|
i've really wanted to get my dad into climbing and i am looking for a harness for him for Christmas. several years ago he hurt his lower back hauling fire wood and it bothers him occasionally. my concern is that hanging/falling in a harness may bring back the injury. (he'll probably just be top roping or seconding) i was wondering if anyone had similar problems and if they found a harness that helped to minimize this. i did a search and came up with nothing so hopefully ill get some good news from you guys. thanks
aaron
|
|
|
|
|
edwardmedina
Dec 7, 2005, 3:06 AM
Post #2 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 7, 2001
Posts: 29
|
Misty Mountain makes a real cushy harness called the Titan. Wide waist belt provides extra support.
|
|
|
|
|
v_nuthin_ace
Dec 7, 2005, 3:12 AM
Post #3 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 12, 2005
Posts: 116
|
Try a rescue harness, they usually have metal d rings instead of a belay loop, but they are really bomber.
The CMC Pro Rescue harness i have, is really comfy.
The padding 6 inches wide across the back, and 4 inches wide around the front and on the leg loops, it is a very padded harness.
http://i26.photobucket.com/...ta/06-12-05_1900.jpg
Here you see the full 6 inch wide, 1/2-3/4 inch thick padding on the back of the harness.
|
|
|
|
|
abtisme
Dec 7, 2005, 3:36 AM
Post #4 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 50
|
thanks for the help guys. the rescue harness seems like a good idea, but it looks like it would be a little awkward to climb in. i was just wondering if it still gave you the freedom of a regular harness.
|
|
|
|
|
omegaprime
Dec 7, 2005, 4:36 AM
Post #5 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Aug 2, 2004
Posts: 308
|
Just a thought, would a full body harness or a chest harness help?
I'm not a trained medical personnel, and I don't know the extent of the injury your father had, but it occurred to me that upper body support given by a chest harness would lower the strain on the back in the event of a fall or hanging belays.
Its just an idea and I don't have proof that it would work, so you should consult a doctor or someone knowledgeable to verify if this would be helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
andrewj
Dec 8, 2005, 7:26 AM
Post #6 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 6, 2005
Posts: 29
|
my Wild Things rock raptor harness is a good 4 inches thick across the back and pretty stiff, makes falling as comfy as possible. Maybe kind of hard to find one though.
|
|
|
|
|
v_nuthin_ace
Dec 8, 2005, 7:46 PM
Post #7 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 12, 2005
Posts: 116
|
The resuce harness will not provide all the freedom of a climbing harness.
I cannot wear it for slackline, highlining because withboth feet perfectly one foot in front of the other it binds up between my legs, i use a yates for highlining. BUT the rescues harness will provide a fair amount of "stretch" type flexibility as far as freedom of movement. The reason i suggested trying it, is that it is simply the most padded harness i have ever seen.
|
|
|
|
|
skinner
Dec 8, 2005, 8:22 PM
Post #8 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Nov 1, 2004
Posts: 1747
|
I have sort of a bad back too (broke it in 4 places)..
If it's lower back, something with a really cushy hip belt helps for sure, especially if you are sitting/hanging for long periods.
I wear my Yates Big Wall Harness on Trad climbs even.
http://www.yatesgear.com/climbing/big/
One thing I do find though, is that wearing a chest harness and evenly distributing the load, especially lots of gear and/or a downward pulling rope really goes a long way to easing the load on the back.
|
|
|
|
|
madrock
Dec 8, 2005, 8:25 PM
Post #9 of 9
(1647 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 11, 2002
Posts: 255
|
Yates Big Wall or Misty Mountain Cadilac would be a good choice. We have a new harness with a compessed gas back support system but its nor available yet.
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
