The American Alpine Institute rewarded once more C.A.M.P. excellence assigning the Guides Choice Award 2014 to the innovative Tricam Evo. After the 2012 winners Blitz harness, Corsa Nanotech ice axe and Photon Wire carabiner, the Tricam Evo is the fourth CAMP product that was awarded this important prize. The Guides Choice Award is yearly assigned by the AAI professional guides through extensive testing in all conditions on several mountain ranges of the world; the goal is to highlight pieces of gear that exceed expectations in performance, durability and innovation.
The guide team appreciated two improvements that make the Tricam Evo even more versatile than the legendary Tricam. The Tricam Evo head is tapered allowing for an additional passive protection mode, much like a standard wired nut. This taper also increases the stability of the added passive placement. The Tricam Evo also has a stiffened sling so that placements can be made holding the Tricam vertically by the sling, like a wired stopper. The additional layer of material used to stiffen the sling also adds durability to the Tricam increasing your sense of security when used around sharper edges. The Guides Choice Testing Manager, Jeff Voigt, explains that «anyone who has used Tricams knows that they have a great range of crack sizes that they can be used in and that they are lightweight. We particularly like them in horizontal placements where a fall would most likely bend the stem of a camming unit and where regular stoppers are just a pain to place. Many of our guides have come accustomed to carrying the 0.5 – 1.5 sizes on almost all of their rock climbs».
Our advice is to use both the original Tricams and the amazing Tricams Evo: Greg Lowe developed the first version more than 40 years ago (1973) and they often work where cams or nuts don't fit.
In the picture: Brett Merlin of C.A.M.P. Usa accepting the Guides Choice Award from AAI Director Dunham Gooding for the Tricam Evo
