When it was time to build the Skyhook, it was clear that there was no reason to create an alternative. “I’ve been using a Superclip personally since I started out climbing. So instead of designing his own clipping head, Rohlf partnered with Superclip.
Broomstick clip how to#
The Superclip has been around for many years, and lots of climbers are already familiar with how to use it. Every unit comes with a clipping attachment from Superclip Rescue Tools. Per the product’s Kickstarter, the Skyhook is made of hardy aluminum and a “dirt-resistant locking mechanism.” And it says it will hold up to the standard abuse that stick clips are subjected to.
You shall not pass! Superclip Partnership LongArm lightbulb-changing poles ala Gandalf’s wizard staff. Should the Skyhook catch on, we may see the end of climbers wielding massive Mr.
Broomstick clip free#
But when collapsed, it’s compact - less than 30 inches long - and small enough to fit into most climbing haul bags and checked luggage.īecause it is so short, the Skyhook can ride in a pack on the approach and free up your hands for balance and scrambling. We refused to create a wavy, noodly, frustrating pole.”Īt maximum extension, the Skyhook reaches more than 10 feet long. “Ultimately, we valued practicality and usability over a super long maximum length. Rohlf worked through several iterations and prototypes to identify the ideal ratio between maximum extended length and minimum collapsed length. To accomplish this, Rohlf designed an extension pole with minimal joints and a wide tubing diameter. All sport climbers know the hassle of reaching up to clip a bolt while the end of their stick clip waves back and forth like a withered stalk of corn.
Broomstick clip full#
First, the Skyhook is made to be stiff and not wobbly - even at full extension. The Skyhook aims to fix the key issues that have long been associated with stick clips.
“We fully relied on word of mouth and a tight-knit network of climbers.”Ī Kickstarter campaignto fund the project reached its goal in just 4 days. “We didn’t do any Instagram ads or online marketing,” he said. The Skyhook began shipping out to customers in May 2021. Rohlf, who has a background in robotics and fabrication engineering, has now reached the final stages of product development. After a fateful fireside brainstorming session, Rohlf soon returned home to Bend, Ore., and got to work on the new product. He envisioned a stick clip that could be carried easily without sacrificing function.Īs Rohlf shared his idea with other climbers, he found that many others expressed a desire for a better stick clip. “I realized that, at the time, every option on the market was frustrating to use,” he said. On a steep or technical approach, wielding a cumbersome pole just seemed preposterous to Rohlf. While rock climbing-specific extension poles do exist, many climbers continue to use bulky, industrial hardware store options that are upwards of 6 feet long and as thick as a pumped forearm. And many involve scrambling up a steep hillside or maneuvering between downed trees. In Ten Sleep, approaches to the crag aren’t exactly long, but they aren’t short either. The idea to design the ultimate stick clip came to Rohlf during a summer spent sport climbing in Ten Sleep, Wyo. Thus, he went to work, and the Skyhook was born. Rohlf has the mind of an engineer and refuses to accept a world full of frustrating and subpar stick clips. Quinn Rohlf, the creator of the latest rock climbing stick clip to enter the market, is this kind of person. Small design flaws are plainly intolerable for these folks, and they won’t rest until they find a better way. When there’s a problem, it must be fixed. Small inconveniences roll off of them like raindrops on a tent fly.īut in the other camp are those who can’t stand to live with ill-fitting and ill-functioning gear. Sure, it’s bothersome, but folks often won’t make the necessary change. In the former camp are the people who will go on using boot laces that are 6 inches too long. There are two kinds of outdoor gear users: those who simply deal with unsatisfactory gear and those who refuse anything that falls short. Home » Climbing » ‘Skyhook’ Stick Clip Aims to End Wobbly FrustrationĪ better stick clip design, simply - that’s the notion that elevated Skyhook to Kickstarter success.
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