D4 Octapod
Description
The Octapod is a climbing Ninja's ledge. It sets up in a minute, and packs into a daypack. Very light. Don't expect luxurious bedding accomodations for this single-point suspended, super quick deploy, daypackable, sub-5 kg two-person four-season hanging tent--it is designed for one, or two, people to be able to do two things:
•Rest adequately for a full day of fitness ahead.
•Provide full shelter from severe storms.
It is the cumulation of over 20 years experience designing truly stormproof portaledge systems. There have been no compromises on security of the fly cover, and strength of the frame, which, although light, is burly and can withstand any challenging placement on tree or wall. The new shorter "wheelbase" (the wall side which rests against the tree or wall) makes for a very stable platform. And there are a number of new design features and details which make the ledge even easier to deploy, even in stormy windy conditions.
Having a smaller, lighter, more compact portaledge opens up a lot of opportunities where comfort and security are vital to maximising Type 1 and 2 fun, and minimising Type 3 fun. It makes for a great belay couch on your favourite crag. Or set it up for kids on camp trips as an instant tree swing, hours of fun and a great basecamp. It's been used by intrepid climbers climbing the Nose for the first time, where the compact design provided confidence to survive any weather, as well as an extension camp to the crowded Camp IV, V, and VI on that route (personally, my favourite bivy on the Nose is at the end of the Great Roof, below Pancake Flake, one of the coolest and most exposed spots on the Captain).
Mostly, we've developed this product for a bold new breed of adventurers, who are spending hours and days on the vertical in ever more remote places, as it enables maximum manoeuvrability as it is so quick to deploy and pack away. Routes not yet "visible" based on technological limitations are now coming to light. Case in point: the recent D4 Trapezium grant recipients, who will take their lightweight system in the remote coastal mountains to set new standards there.
This product is designed for the minimalist. It sacrifices nothing essential, and opens new vistas. Thank you for your interest.
--John Middendorf
Retail price
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| Total Weight (lb / kg) | 7.72 lb /
3.50 kg With fly and haul sack (included): 11.023 lb / 5 kg |
| Ledge Type | Half Ledge |
| Sleeping Capacity | N/A |
| Dimensions |
60 in x 48 in |
| Ledge Materials | |
| Fly Included | Yes, included |
| Pocket Details |
No pockets |
| Floor Tensioners | 0 tensioners |
| Haul Sack Details | |
| Warranty | |
No reviews yet.
I GOT THE OCTAPOD for big backcountry first ascents. I still think it would be a great tool for those. But you have to find a steep wall, and if you're hauling and carrying a ledge, you'll go slow, which means more food and water, which means (probably) multiple carries to the base, which means slower still. All of these variables and logistical concerns make the margin for using the Octapod for the purpose I had intended very slim. You need a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a little bit of luck, too. The issue is not so much with the Octapod, but with the external variables—variables I have limited time and patience for as I grow older.
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