When your chest needs to be close to a rock or ice face, Balance Pockets can hinder movement and balance. Therefore we do not recommend them for technical climbing. However, Balance Pockets have been used successfully for mountaineering on less technical terrain, on successful Everest ascents and the west ridge of Denali in Alaska.When on a climbing trip, use the Balance Pockets for the approach and remove them for the climb. You can substitute Balance Gear Racks to carry heavy climbing hardware, taking the weight off your shoulders and balancing weight in the pack.For short moves around a vertical obstacle, the larger Balance Pockets unclip at the top and swing out of the way to the sides, underneath your arms. This allows your chest to be close to the face. Reclip the pockets together when the obstacle is passed.