Meet the New Big Wall Climbing Portaledge: The Alpine Double Portaledge
We're excited to launch our Alpine Double Portaledge! This is an ode to John Middendorf, a legendary big-wall climber, engineer, and gear designer known for revolutionizing the portaledge.
John Middendorf: Big Wall Gear Pioneer
John Middendorf is a pioneering climber and gear designer best known for revolutionizing big wall climbing with the invention of the Durable Single Point Hammock, or the modern portaledge, in the 1980s.
Before his innovation, climbers relied on flimsy hammocks and unstable bivouac systems while tackling multi-day ascents on massive walls like El Capitan in Yosemite, and on big ascents in the Himalayas.
Middendorf’s design—a sturdy, collapsible platform with a secure fabric covering—provided unmatched stability and weather protection, allowing climbers to push boundaries in extreme environments. His company, A5 Adventures, became synonymous with cutting-edge big wall gear, and his work continues to influence portaledge design today.
Meet The Alpine Double Portaledge
The High Mountain Gear Alpine Double Portaledge is Middendorf's original design to a T, built with interchangeable and orderable components.
Our big wall climbing portaledge comes complete with:
-Fly Expedition/lightweight with zipper
-Ledge/bed fabric
-Webbing Harness/Dyneema
-Ultra Haul Bag
Lightweight Big Wall Climbing Portaledge
We aimed to go as lightweight as possible on this big wall climbing portaledge. The base weight is 15 pounds for ledge, fly, haul bag, and tent pole with a single full-length zipper.
We are currently designing the Ultra 200X ledge bed, Dyneema harness, and UL Dyneema/Ultra storm fly to bring the ledge down to mythic levels for a complete aluminum framed big wall climbing portaledge system.
Custom Built Big Wall Climbing Portaledge
Our new big wall climbing portaledges will not be sitting around collecting dust. We're building each portaledge to your desired specifications. With the Alpine Double Portledge, you'll be able to choose from:
- different bed fabrics
- colors
- buckle adjusters
- with or without a storm-fly
It is a 4-week working time to ship, or pick up is free at our new store location in Tacoma, WA!
Big Wall Climbing Portaledge Special Offer
We want to get this big wall climbing portaledge out there, so we're offering 25% off to the first 15 people to purchase the Alpine Double Portaledge/Fly set! We don't care which configuration your order, we will make it within 4 weeks and it will be ready for pickup or shipping. Don't delay, get in on this deal by using the code: 1990A5 at checkout today!
Big Wall Climbing Portaledge Replacement Parts
We've also designed parts to be ordered separately to add to your big wall climbing portaledge, or if you need replacement parts:
- A5 Double Portaledge Fly
- A5 Replacement Ledge Bed
- A5 Alpine Double Portaledge Haul Bag
- Ledge Bug Net
Ledge replacement parts will be sold at 25% off for the first 10 as well, including Ultra 800 replacement haul bags for the A5 portaledge.
Use code: 1990A5 at checkout.