Building On Evolv’s Long Ties With The Adaptive Climbing Community
Just a quick one today. Look at this little beauty which came in the mail recently. The Evolv Adaptive Foot and the corresponding Eldo-Z climbing show. Can’t wait to test this combo at my local
climbing wall and out in the crags.
A New Foot For A New Climbing Season
For the last few years I have been climbing with the ADK climbing foot from Mountain Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (here is a review about the ADK climbing foot). And while in my eyes there are a few quality issues with this foot, I think it’s a decent option for amputee climbers. It sure helped me to be active, move up the grades, get into lead climbing while preventing some of the finger injuries I was battling with when still climbing without a prosthetic foot.
But now it’s time to try out something new. So you can imagine how excited I am to be able to test the Adaptive Foot by Evolv (disclaimer: Evolve provided this foot and the corresponding shoe so I can test it). The foot/shoe combination has a great reputation among paraclimbers. And it has been developed in close cooperation between Evolv, the climbing shoe company and Ronnie Dickson, the first lower limb amputee who bouldered a V10. Treat yourself and watch one of Ronnie’s videos; e.g. Adaptive Climbing Clinic with Ronnie Dickson - Joshua Tree, CA.
Over the coming weeks I will test this foot and see how it performs. When it has seen a variety of routes, both indoors and outdoors, I will let you know what I think about it. So watch this space.
Post by Bjoern Eser. Bjoern is the founder of The Active Amputee.
Further Reading
The ADK climbing foot
Climbing is a great sport. And there is no reason why people with a limb difference shouldn‘t give it a try. I have been climbing years and I tried a variety of set-ups; i.e. completely without any artificial limb (no socket, no knee, no foot, no nothing) and with the C-Leg (but with my normal day-to-day foot) before settling on the ADK climbing foot. The ADK foot is a rather unspectacular piece of gear but it works surprisingly well for me. read more
Getting into paraclimbing
Climbing is an amazing sport. Full stop. No matter if you are into bouldering or top-roped routes at a local climbing wall, prefer pre-bolted sport routes outdoors or love the thrill of proper multi-pitch trad climbing or a deep-water solo, the sport has something for everybody. And I mean everybody, no matter if you are able-bodied (what ever that is) or not. read more
Safety tip for paraclimbers
As there is such and interest in this amazing sport, I would like to share one more tip for those of you who want to give it a go. For those among you who might even try climbing with your prosthesis or a special climbing leg/foot.
Depending on the set-up you use and depending on the fit of your socket, it’s essential to secure your artificial limb to your climbing harness. Why? Well… read more