


Why Black Diamond Ultralights aren’t as critical as I thought they’d be (but you should still pick up a few)
When it comes to climbing the maxim light is right tends to guide people’s purchasing decisions. So when BD came out with the Ultralight cams a few years ago I figured eventually my rack would be composed of them entirely in a few years. While the Ultralight Cams are still worth it I think they’re more of a niche item than I had originally anticipated.

3 Ultralight next to last generation C4
Construction
The big difference here is that the stems and thumb loop are composed of a dyneema cord rather than a steel cable to save on weight. This has been applied to the sling as well. The cutouts on the cam lobes themselves are a little bit bigger as well. Aside from these somewhat minor differences nothing has really changed. Sizes all match previous C4’s and they function the same (minus the .3). The biggest difference is weight but there are some minor differences I’ll get into below.

Ultralight vs. Regular .4
Sizes and Shapes
While most of the changes seem minor there are some changes to the size and shape of the stem that I think affect where they’ll be most useful.
When you take a close look at the stems what you’ll notice is that the part where the stem enters the head comes down a little more. The stem is also a bit wider in the same axis as the lobes. What this means is that when placed deeper in a pod that opens up the stem may be too wide to get past constrictions near the front of a crack making it impossible to slide the cam down into a constriction for optimal placement. I’ve noticed this most often with the smaller sizes. In these smaller sizes where the stem meets the head is almost as big as the smallest range of the cam itself. Most obviously this limits placement options with the .4 and .5 sizes.
Best Uses and Sizes
Because of the issues with the stem and head size I would recommend using the bigger sizes. In the #1 and bigger sizes this is where you’ll be less affected by the size of the stem as well as gain the most weight savings.
A double rack of standard C4 cams from .4-4 as advertised weighs almost 4.5 lbs (69.1 oz) while the same rack of ultralights would be a little under 4 lbs (59.46 oz). For an Indian Creek rack where you may be carrying a dozen of the same size this difference may be more prominent and the head size issue may be less of a concern so if you’ve got a project and saving a pound or two will get you there then you might think it worth kitting yourself with a bunch of these.
The general weight savings is the only real reason I’ve seen to get these. While they’ve not been on the market long enough to really know their longevity it’s obvious that steel cable will outlast the dyneema material.
Final Thoughts
These aren’t a niche item like the Z4’s or the Offsets but they are a little bit specialized. I say start transitioning those bigger sizes to the Ultralights but I’d stick with the standard C4’s in the smaller sizes. A double rack paired with a set of regular Stoppers and you’ll be able to go for it on the majority of trad climbs.
Ready to book your experience or have more questions?
Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights.
Get in Touch with Us
Ready to book your experience or have more questions?
Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights.
Get in Touch with Us
Ready to book your experience or have more questions?
Colorado is a big state with over 300 days a year of sunshine. When you're planning your climbing trip feel to use us as your Colorado experts. We're happy to help answer any questions to help elevate your experience here to new heights.
Get in Touch with Us
Reviews
"
The Colorado Climbing Company did a phenomenal job. I’ve used a lot of guiding services all over the world, and this was without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The guide did a great job of keep it challenging while always making sure it was 100% safe and keeping me well informed of everything that was going on. I climbed two weekends in a row and both days were perfect!
"
I booked a guided climbing trip for 8 people at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company. We all had varying skill sets which made it challenging for our guides to figure out how to accommodate us all but they did a great job and we all had a blast. Some of us were able to lead climb for the first time and some of us did our first multipitch climb which was awesome to get to experience something new in such a beautiful setting. Communicating before the trip was fast and easy and the guides were all super nice and explained everything clearly so we always felt safe. I would highly recommend climbing at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company if you're planning a trip to Colorado Springs...it was a unique way to experience the nature without having to commit to driving into the mountains.
"
Safety was obviously top priorities for both parties involved. Their professionalism and superb communication made me confident and comfortable in their skill. I informed them of my goals prior to climbing & he chose routes that would exceed my expectations and enhance my ability to learn new skilks and technique. Unlike climbing with strangers I felt I was climbing with real friends and real partners that pushed me way past what I would have pushed me in a healthy way while resurrecting my boundaries as all friends/partners/guides should! I would highly recommend these guys whatever your style and skill set . If you're brand new or climbing outdoors for the first time these guys will show you the ropes in a safe, solid, way!
"
Had an amazing experience climbing in Eldorado Canyon with Josh! This was my first ever multi-pitch climb and Josh made me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. His knowledge of climbing and safety showed, and I appreciate all the awesome pics he took along the way! Stoked!!! Thanks Colorado Climbing Company!
"
I climbed the Crestone Traverse in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with Jeremiah in August 2023, owner of the Colorado Climbing Company. Jeremiah was an outstanding guide. Besides utilizing his expertise on the climb, he cooked pizza for dinner and provided bagels for breakfast. He was a great instructor, had a sense of humor, and was patient. He is also an incredibly skilled alpinist. I used several guides this summer on technical climbs and my experience with him was unsurpassed. I highly recommend The Colorado Climbing Company for all of your climbing adventures in Colorado.
"
I’ve climbed with Colorado Climbing Company twice when visiting family in the Grand Junction area— at Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument. Both were amazing experiences! Each time, my guides Luc and Nico were very friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and always made me feel safe even with my limited climbing experience. They were super helpful in teaching techniques and always encouraging me to get to the top! Jeremiah is always very helpful and responsive during the booking process, from recommending routes and even helping me reschedule when the weather didn’t cooperate. Pricing is extremely fair for the unforgettable experiences you get in return. I’ll continue to use Colorado Climbing Co whenever I’m back in CO!
"
Holy smokes, these guys ROCK ( literally 😆🧗🏽♀️🧊) A huge shoutout to Olivia who was my ice climbing guide in Lake City. I am pretty new to ice climbing and I felt like this trip helped me grow tremendously. She was not only a master at all things ice climbing, but was a fantastic teacher. Learning knots, in addition to the art of ice climbing, can be overwhelming but she made it such a blast. We had an 8 hour trip and she somehow managed to keep me pumped the whole time. And as a new climber, she made it such a safe place to learn and ask ALL the questions. I’ve used plenty of guiding services before but these guys are definitely my top choice.
"
I climbed for half a day at Garden of the God's with CO Climbing Co. It was the best day of my trip to Colorado Springs. The guide had a great knowledge of safety and climbing tips as well as an excellent knowledge of the plants and animals in the area. I loved my trip so much that I am considering moving to CO!!! Use this company if you want a great climbing experience!
"
I participated in an ice climbing trip Jeremiah was fantastic and provided the best experience we could have asked for. The small group setting was great and my girlfriend and I both got to spend the whole day on the wall. He also took the time to not only tell us what to do, but teach us how and why. I would highly recommend this company for any level of climber.
"
My wife and I recently booked a climb with The Colorado Climbing Company for a climb up the first Flatiron outside Boulder. We have a healthy amount of single pitch sport climbing experience, but hadn't done any trad climbing or multi-pitch. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area, showed great proficiency with setting anchors and protection, and was overall a fun guy to hang out with. We would happily book another trip with them in the future, and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in climbing in Colorado.
"
I climbed for half a day at Garden of the God's with CO Climbing Co. It was the best day of my trip to Colorado Springs. The guide had a great knowledge of safety and climbing tips as well as an excellent knowledge of the plants and animals in the area. I loved my trip so much that I am considering moving to CO!!! Use this company if you want a great climbing experience!
"
Holy smokes, these guys ROCK ( literally 😆🧗🏽♀️🧊) A huge shoutout to Olivia who was my ice climbing guide in Lake City. I am pretty new to ice climbing and I felt like this trip helped me grow tremendously. She was not only a master at all things ice climbing, but was a fantastic teacher. Learning knots, in addition to the art of ice climbing, can be overwhelming but she made it such a blast. We had an 8 hour trip and she somehow managed to keep me pumped the whole time. And as a new climber, she made it such a safe place to learn and ask ALL the questions. I’ve used plenty of guiding services before but these guys are definitely my top choice.
"
I’ve climbed with Colorado Climbing Company twice when visiting family in the Grand Junction area— at Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument. Both were amazing experiences! Each time, my guides Luc and Nico were very friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and always made me feel safe even with my limited climbing experience. They were super helpful in teaching techniques and always encouraging me to get to the top! Jeremiah is always very helpful and responsive during the booking process, from recommending routes and even helping me reschedule when the weather didn’t cooperate. Pricing is extremely fair for the unforgettable experiences you get in return. I’ll continue to use Colorado Climbing Co whenever I’m back in CO!
"
I climbed the Crestone Traverse in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with Jeremiah in August 2023, owner of the Colorado Climbing Company. Jeremiah was an outstanding guide. Besides utilizing his expertise on the climb, he cooked pizza for dinner and provided bagels for breakfast. He was a great instructor, had a sense of humor, and was patient. He is also an incredibly skilled alpinist. I used several guides this summer on technical climbs and my experience with him was unsurpassed. I highly recommend The Colorado Climbing Company for all of your climbing adventures in Colorado.
"
Had an amazing experience climbing in Eldorado Canyon with Josh! This was my first ever multi-pitch climb and Josh made me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. His knowledge of climbing and safety showed, and I appreciate all the awesome pics he took along the way! Stoked!!! Thanks Colorado Climbing Company!
"
Safety was obviously top priorities for both parties involved. Their professionalism and superb communication made me confident and comfortable in their skill. I informed them of my goals prior to climbing & he chose routes that would exceed my expectations and enhance my ability to learn new skilks and technique. Unlike climbing with strangers I felt I was climbing with real friends and real partners that pushed me way past what I would have pushed me in a healthy way while resurrecting my boundaries as all friends/partners/guides should! I would highly recommend these guys whatever your style and skill set . If you're brand new or climbing outdoors for the first time these guys will show you the ropes in a safe, solid, way!
"
The Colorado Climbing Company did a phenomenal job. I’ve used a lot of guiding services all over the world, and this was without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The guide did a great job of keep it challenging while always making sure it was 100% safe and keeping me well informed of everything that was going on. I climbed two weekends in a row and both days were perfect!
"
I booked a guided climbing trip for 8 people at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company. We all had varying skill sets which made it challenging for our guides to figure out how to accommodate us all but they did a great job and we all had a blast. Some of us were able to lead climb for the first time and some of us did our first multipitch climb which was awesome to get to experience something new in such a beautiful setting. Communicating before the trip was fast and easy and the guides were all super nice and explained everything clearly so we always felt safe. I would highly recommend climbing at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company if you're planning a trip to Colorado Springs...it was a unique way to experience the nature without having to commit to driving into the mountains.
"
I participated in an ice climbing trip Jeremiah was fantastic and provided the best experience we could have asked for. The small group setting was great and my girlfriend and I both got to spend the whole day on the wall. He also took the time to not only tell us what to do, but teach us how and why. I would highly recommend this company for any level of climber.
"
My wife and I recently booked a climb with The Colorado Climbing Company for a climb up the first Flatiron outside Boulder. We have a healthy amount of single pitch sport climbing experience, but hadn't done any trad climbing or multi-pitch. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area, showed great proficiency with setting anchors and protection, and was overall a fun guy to hang out with. We would happily book another trip with them in the future, and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in climbing in Colorado.
"
I climbed for half a day at Garden of the God's with CO Climbing Co. It was the best day of my trip to Colorado Springs. The guide had a great knowledge of safety and climbing tips as well as an excellent knowledge of the plants and animals in the area. I loved my trip so much that I am considering moving to CO!!! Use this company if you want a great climbing experience!
"
Holy smokes, these guys ROCK ( literally 😆🧗🏽♀️🧊) A huge shoutout to Olivia who was my ice climbing guide in Lake City. I am pretty new to ice climbing and I felt like this trip helped me grow tremendously. She was not only a master at all things ice climbing, but was a fantastic teacher. Learning knots, in addition to the art of ice climbing, can be overwhelming but she made it such a blast. We had an 8 hour trip and she somehow managed to keep me pumped the whole time. And as a new climber, she made it such a safe place to learn and ask ALL the questions. I’ve used plenty of guiding services before but these guys are definitely my top choice.
"
I’ve climbed with Colorado Climbing Company twice when visiting family in the Grand Junction area— at Unaweep Canyon and Colorado National Monument. Both were amazing experiences! Each time, my guides Luc and Nico were very friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and always made me feel safe even with my limited climbing experience. They were super helpful in teaching techniques and always encouraging me to get to the top! Jeremiah is always very helpful and responsive during the booking process, from recommending routes and even helping me reschedule when the weather didn’t cooperate. Pricing is extremely fair for the unforgettable experiences you get in return. I’ll continue to use Colorado Climbing Co whenever I’m back in CO!
"
I climbed the Crestone Traverse in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with Jeremiah in August 2023, owner of the Colorado Climbing Company. Jeremiah was an outstanding guide. Besides utilizing his expertise on the climb, he cooked pizza for dinner and provided bagels for breakfast. He was a great instructor, had a sense of humor, and was patient. He is also an incredibly skilled alpinist. I used several guides this summer on technical climbs and my experience with him was unsurpassed. I highly recommend The Colorado Climbing Company for all of your climbing adventures in Colorado.
"
Had an amazing experience climbing in Eldorado Canyon with Josh! This was my first ever multi-pitch climb and Josh made me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. His knowledge of climbing and safety showed, and I appreciate all the awesome pics he took along the way! Stoked!!! Thanks Colorado Climbing Company!
"
Safety was obviously top priorities for both parties involved. Their professionalism and superb communication made me confident and comfortable in their skill. I informed them of my goals prior to climbing & he chose routes that would exceed my expectations and enhance my ability to learn new skilks and technique. Unlike climbing with strangers I felt I was climbing with real friends and real partners that pushed me way past what I would have pushed me in a healthy way while resurrecting my boundaries as all friends/partners/guides should! I would highly recommend these guys whatever your style and skill set . If you're brand new or climbing outdoors for the first time these guys will show you the ropes in a safe, solid, way!
"
The Colorado Climbing Company did a phenomenal job. I’ve used a lot of guiding services all over the world, and this was without a doubt one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. The guide did a great job of keep it challenging while always making sure it was 100% safe and keeping me well informed of everything that was going on. I climbed two weekends in a row and both days were perfect!
"
I booked a guided climbing trip for 8 people at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company. We all had varying skill sets which made it challenging for our guides to figure out how to accommodate us all but they did a great job and we all had a blast. Some of us were able to lead climb for the first time and some of us did our first multipitch climb which was awesome to get to experience something new in such a beautiful setting. Communicating before the trip was fast and easy and the guides were all super nice and explained everything clearly so we always felt safe. I would highly recommend climbing at Garden of the Gods with The Colorado Climbing Company if you're planning a trip to Colorado Springs...it was a unique way to experience the nature without having to commit to driving into the mountains.
"
I participated in an ice climbing trip Jeremiah was fantastic and provided the best experience we could have asked for. The small group setting was great and my girlfriend and I both got to spend the whole day on the wall. He also took the time to not only tell us what to do, but teach us how and why. I would highly recommend this company for any level of climber.
"
My wife and I recently booked a climb with The Colorado Climbing Company for a climb up the first Flatiron outside Boulder. We have a healthy amount of single pitch sport climbing experience, but hadn't done any trad climbing or multi-pitch. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area, showed great proficiency with setting anchors and protection, and was overall a fun guy to hang out with. We would happily book another trip with them in the future, and would highly recommend them to anyone interested in climbing in Colorado.
Created by:
Colorado Springs
6435 Garlock Way
Colorado Springs, CO
80918
Denver
596 S. Carr St.
Lakewood, CO
80226
The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now
Copyright © 2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com
Created by:
Colorado Springs
6435 Garlock Way
Colorado Springs, CO
80918
Denver
596 S. Carr St.
Lakewood, CO
80226
The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now
Copyright © 2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com
Denver
596 S. Carr St.
Lakewood, CO
80226
Created by:
The Colorado Climbing Company is an equal opportunity provider operating under a special use permit in Pike San Isabel National Forest, Gunnison and Royal Gorge Bureau of Land Management, and Rocky Mountain National Park.Book Now
Copyright © 2010-2025 The Colorado Climbing Company TM, All rights reserved. The Colorado Climbing Company offers guided rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain climbing, and climbing instruction with professional climbing guides. For reservations call: 719-209-6649 or e-mail info@coclimbing.com