Teddy Dondanville's Climb Gear & Expert Recommendations
AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor
Albany, NYVenga!
I’m a rock climbing guide and freelance writer originally from California, now based in Albany, NY. Currently, I'm an Assistant Rock Guide with the American Mountain Guides Association and a Wilderness First Responder. When I’m not guiding, I write about climbing, adventure travel, and outdoor culture.
Discipline: Climb
Specialty: Rock
Professional Guide: AMGA Assistant Rock Guide with experience across New York and Colorado, leading rock climbing, backpacking, and hiking trips. Writer & Storyteller: Freelance writer focused on the outdoor and adventure sports industries, blending field experience with creative communication. Global Experience: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer fluent in Spanish with a strong background in community development and environmental education.
Expert Gear Picks from Teddy Dondanville
Expert climb gear recommendations from Teddy Dondanville, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor, based in Albany, NY.
Teddy Dondanville's Learn to Lead Kit
Teddy Dondanville recommends the DMM DMM Wallnut Stopper Set - Sizes 1-6 Multi-Colored
Teddy Dondanville recommends the DMM DMM HB Alloy Offset Stopper Set - Sizes 7-11 Multi-Colored
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond C4 Cam Set - #0.4, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond MiniWire Alpine Quickdraws - Package of 3 Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond LiteWire Quickdraw Quickpack - 12 cm Green
Teddy Dondanville's Camping
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Katadyn Katadyn BeFree AC 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle - Double-Layer Red
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Backpacker's Pantry Backpacker's Pantry Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal - 2 Servings
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Backpacker's Pantry Backpacker's Pantry Granola with Milk and Organic Blueberries
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Backpacker's Pantry Backpacker's Pantry Pesto Pasta with Chicken - 2 Servings
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Backpacker's Pantry Backpacker's Pantry Cuban Coconut Black Beans & Rice - 2 Servings
Teddy Dondanville's Multi Pitch Kit
This is my go-to list of equipment that you need for multi-pitch rock climbing.
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Reverso Belay Device Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Mammut Mammut Smart 2.0 Belay Device Orange
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond Vision MIPS Climbing Helmet Black M/L
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Meteor Climbing Helmet Red S/M
Teddy Dondanville's Belay and Rappel Devices
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl NEOX Assisted Blocking Belay Device Black
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Mammut Mammut Smart 2.0 Belay Device Orange
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond ATC Pilot Belay Device Black
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond ATC-Guide Belay Device Black
Teddy Dondanville's Top Rope Anchor Kit
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Sterling Sterling SafetyPro 10 mm x 50 m Static Rope Blue 10 Mm X 50 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Sterling Sterling VR9 9.8 mm Dry-Core Rope Green 70 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Mammut Mammut Crag Classic 10.2 mm x 60 m Non-Dry Rope Blue 10.2 Mm X 60 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiners - Package of 3 Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Camp C.A.M.P. Orbit Lock Carabiner - Package of 3 Orange
Teddy Dondanville's Rock Climbing Soft Goods
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Mammut 9.5 Gym Classic Rope 40m
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Volta 9.2 mm Dry Rope Orange 9.2 Mm X 80 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Beal Beal Opera 8.5 mm x 70 m Dry Rope Green 8.5 Mm X 70 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Sterling Sterling IonR XEROS BiColor 9.4 mm Dry Rope Yellow 9.4 Mm X 60 M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Men's AR-395a Harness Khaki S
Teddy Dondanville's Backpacks
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Rock Blitz 15 Backpack
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Mountain Hardwear Crag Wagon™ 45L Backpack
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond Blitz 28 Pack Gray
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond Crag 40 Pack Gray S/M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond Bullet 16 Pack Gray
Teddy Dondanville's Rock Climbing Hardware
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Sm'D Screw-Lock Carabiner Orange
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Sm'D Twist-Lock Autolock Carabiner Orange
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl ROCHA
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Attache Carabiner Yellow
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl William Screw Lock Carabiner
Teddy Dondanville's Rock Climbing Footwear
Teddy Dondanville recommends the La Sportiva TX Guide
Teddy Dondanville recommends the La Sportiva TX Guide Leather
Teddy Dondanville recommends the La Sportiva TX2 EVO
Teddy Dondanville recommends the La Sportiva TX2 EVO Leather
Teddy Dondanville recommends the La Sportiva TC Pro
Teddy Dondanville's Accessories
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Super Chute Rope Bag
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Storm 450 Headlamp
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Black Diamond Storm 500-R Rechargeable Headlamp
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Sirocco Climbing Helmet White S/M
Teddy Dondanville recommends the Petzl Petzl Meteor Climbing Helmet Red S/M
