A Pro Climber’s Custom Gear Shed—and Her Favorite Things Inside It

Updated August 13, 2025 03:34PM

With three decades of trad, sport, bouldering, and big wall experience, Katie Lambert knows volumes about the best gear—and how to organize it. Born in Louisiana but long based in Bishop, California, Lambert designed and built out a gear shed with her husband Ben Ditto, a climber and photographer. When she’s not climbing, Lambert can be found working at the nonprofit Sacred Rok, which helps provide underserved youth access to climbing and the outdoors in the Yosemite area.

Before we get into her gear storage layout—and what she fills it with—we caught up with Lambert to see what she’s been up to this season. Recently, she got the second ascent of High Country Lover (5.14b/c), a sport route in Pine Creek Canyon. “Situated at 8,200 feet and south facing, conditions were a major obstacle,” Lambert says. “But so was my power and power endurance.” But she trained hard, locked in, and redpointed the route in spring.

Since then, Lambert has been climbing for fun on alpine peaks and taking day trips to The Incredible Hulk. She’s also making steady progress toward her goal of sending 300 5.13s by 2030—she’s currently holding strong at 202 5.13s.

A dream custom climber gear shed

To store all the gear she needs for her 300 x 5.13 project, get into the alpine, and climb across disciplines, Lambert built a custom gear shed with Ditto on their property in Bishop. They equipped it with built-in shelving and peg boards to hang and organize their gear.

What’s inside Lambert’s shed

These are some of Lambert’s favorite pieces of climbing gear, from her favorite helmet to the essentials-only bag she takes on big walls.

Mammut Assist Belay Resistor

I’m a very petite climber and it’s the rare occasion that I’m climbing with someone of lighter or equal weight. I’ve no problem giving a soft catch but I can often get pulled up too high or even pulled in too close to the first piece of protection. The Assist Belay Resistor is a lightweight piece I don’t mind carrying with me to the crag if I know I’ll be giving some catches where my climber is likely taking big falls.

Editor’s note: Mammut will release its Assist Belay Resister in spring 2026. Other options include the Edelrid Ohm (or wait a few weeks for the soon-to-be-released and improved Edelrid Ohmega), or the Raed Zaed.

Alien Revolution Offset Cams

These may be a little obscure to come by these days. But if you’re in the market for cams that work exceptionally well in limestone pods, fissures, and ripples, then these beauties are worth seeking out. They also never blow in flared granite pin-scars, and can fit the straight-in sandstone cracks. My favorites are the blue/black, blue/green, green/yellow, and yellow/red.

Asana Rock Star Pad

The thing you need to cover gaps between your bordering pads—or even to use as a nice little spot off the ground for the sit starts. You can also toss it over a rock or root that may stick out the side of the padded zone, but is still potentially in the “landing zone.”

Mammut Rime Light Flex Vest

Living in the Eastern Sierra, I’m often climbing in the winter on south-facing cliffs in 30ish degree weather. In the summer months, I enjoy a bit of “Calpinism” that requires a little something extra, but not quite a full jacket. This vest is just the thing and is also awesome for cold road bike rides.

Mammut Workhorse HMS Screwgate Carabiner

This is Mammut’s largest locking carabiner, but it’s also fairly light. It’s a must-have for wall climbing. It allows for plenty of room and versatility, from loading with gear at wall bivies, to fixing portaledges, ropes, and haul bags.

Organic Climbing Ditty Bag

Perfect for storing everything from nail and skin maintenance kits, to cell phones, headlamps, and extra wall or trail snacks.

Patagonia Duckbill Cap

Super light, easy to pack away, and great for running and biking. Its low-profile design allows for comfort and functionality under a helmet for multi-pitch climbing in the sun. It also fits well under a sun hoodie.

Mammut Wall Rider Helmet

It’s light, comfortable, and gives all the protection you want from a climbing helmet.

Katie Lambert is a sponsored Mammut North America athlete and she is on the Pro Team for Physivantage.