portaledge

Portaledge is a portable, suspended sleeping platform used by rock climbers to bivouac on vertical walls during multi-day climbs. The device comprises a rigid frame, typically aluminum, supporting a fabric deck and a weather canopy. It is hung from rock anchors by static lines and folds into a compact bundle for transport on a big-wall ascent, allowing climbers to rest, eat, and manage gear without retreating to the ground.

Construction and components include a rectangular bed supported by crossbars, a removable canopy or rain fly, and attachment points for redundant lines. The frame and deck are designed to be lightweight, compact, and quick to deploy. Access is achieved from fixed belay points or ledges; the system relies on secure anchors and proper rigging to maintain stability, as a single failed anchor can be catastrophic in a vertical setting.

Usage and safety: Portaledges are used on long routes where sleeping on the wall is necessary. Climbers install the platform on prepared anchors, bivouac on the ledge, and return to climbing when conditions permit. Rigging procedures emphasize redundancy, regular equipment checks, and weather monitoring. They are commonly associated with big-wall routes in Yosemite and other regions, and modern designs emphasize lighter materials and modular components to ease transport.