Movie portrays a mountaineer's journey from brushing with death to innovating safety measures for climbing and trekking accidents
In the '90s, venturing into the alpine zones meant donning bulky mountaineering boots with stiff crampons, but avid climbers like Danny Giovale craved something lighter and more agile. That's why, over thirty years ago, Giovale tumbled down an icy gully in the Dolomites, his life flashing before his eyes.
Somehow, the American climber survived the fall, and when he returned to the US, he delved into the research and discovered that slips on snow are the second leading cause of accidents and fatalities among climbers. Determined to put his experience to good use, Giovale embarked on designing a sleeker, more adaptable traction device that could easily be stashed in your backpack and employed whenever needed with approach shoes and standard hiking boots.
"I understood the importance of a second chance and making a positive impact," says Giovale. With this realization, he established his company, committed to both technical outdoor gear advancements and positive social impact.
After countless iterations, the Kahtoola KTS crampon hit the market in 2002. The following year, Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa broke the Everest speed record wearing a pair, and these days, few of us would consider heading into the mountains without a pair of Kahtoola devices or similar tools in our pack for snowy and icy conditions.
The documentary titled "Designed by Disaster," released this year, chronicicles Giovale's journey from near-death experience to pioneering innovation in the outdoors industry. The film also features Giovale and his climbing partner Timmy O'Neill successfully scaling the Grafter Route, utilizing their Kahtoola crampons.
Today, Kahtoola still produces the KTS crampons as a lightweight alternative to traditional crampons; however, the company has garnered greater recognition for its MICROspikes. This traction system offers dependable grip on ice and snow, making it an indispensable tool for hikers, trail runners, and adventure seekers in unpredictable winter landscapes. Kahtoola has also introduced other lightweight options, such as Exospikes and Nanospikes, catering to the needs of winter trail runners.
To learn more about these essential gear choices for winter hiking, check out our guide on winter traction devices. Remember, regardless of the season, up high, it can always be winter!
Meanwhile, don't miss our articles on the best crampons and snowshoes, both vetted by experts, for your adventures in challenging terrain.
Insights:
- Kahtoola is a prominent player in the outdoor industry, lauded for its innovative traction devices that enhance safety and performance for various outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing, and winter trail running.
- The MICROspikes, lightweight and easy-to-fit traction devices, stand out as a groundbreaking innovation in the brand's history.
- With a focus on addressing real-world needs for outdoor adventurers, Kahtoola continues to push boundaries in the field of traction devices, fostering a commitment to innovation, durability, and safety.
- Kahtoola devices are widely adopted by hikers, trail runners, and backpackers who brave long-distance trails and challenging mountain environments, including the Pyrenees.
Sports enthusiasts seeking enhanced traction for hiking or winter trail running might find Kahtoola's MICROspikes an indispensable tool, given their lightweight design and dependable grip on snowy terrains. Kahtoola, a pioneer in outdoor innovation, has garnered recognition for producing traction devices that notably improve safety and performance for various winter sports.
