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carolinaclimb
Feb 11, 2003, 3:32 AM
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I'm going on my first outdoor climb this coming weekend with our university's climbing club. We're going to Crowder's Mountain, NC. The club has all the needed gear (except shoes and clothes) but i just wanted to know if getting a few carabiners would be a good idea? If so, what type and brand would be a good start? I'm really looking forward to hitting some real rock instead of the plaster in the gym!!!
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nailzz
Feb 11, 2003, 3:45 AM
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If you were going to get anything at all, I think carabiners would be one of the least practical items. If it were me, I would consider the following items.
1)shoes - good shoes that fit your feet well will do more to make climbing enjoyable and rewarding than most other things. Generally, rental shoes are not the best shoes out there. They tend to be stiff and ill-fitting.
2)harness - most rental type harnesses are much less comfy than a harness that you would buy for yourself to use for several years.
3)chalkbag and chalk - they may not supply this stuff at all. Granted if it's your first time out you may end up just looking silly chalking up before climbing, but still better than carabiners.
It's cool that you want to be prepared, but I think there are other things you should get before buying biners.
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busterclimbs
Feb 11, 2003, 1:13 PM
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completely agree with the above but would add the following
decent quality finger tape:
non elastic fabric tape is best plus you can get it all over the place. walmart included.
Good luck and climb safe
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crack_head
Feb 11, 2003, 2:13 PM
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yeah get some shoes and try to break them in a bit b/f you go. try not to walk in them though.
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crack_head
Feb 11, 2003, 2:13 PM
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yeah get some shoes and try to break them in a bit b/f you go. try not to walk in them though.
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djnibs
Feb 11, 2003, 2:33 PM
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I would agree. Get shoes if you can, then a harness, and last but not least, chalk. They will all make the climbing experiance much more fun. I hope you have/had a lot of fun though!!!!
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carolinaclimb
Feb 11, 2003, 8:46 PM
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Thanks for all the advice. I already got a pair of shoes this past weekend and have begun to "break them in." I know that this should probably be in the gear head section but what are some good harnesses? I know Black Diamond and Metolius are good company's but what features should i look for? Heck yeah i'm having fun already, counting down the hours to this weekend!!!
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cerikpete
Feb 11, 2003, 9:18 PM
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My BD harness is good for beginners. It's pretty cheap, comfy. Just look around their site, or REI.
Don't worry about getting biners, you won't need them for a while yet. Chalk is a must though. For that just get any brand you find. I recommend chalk balls though, as opposed to loose chalk.
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busterclimbs
Feb 12, 2003, 12:12 PM
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Black diamond alpine bod, cheap, comfy, easy to adjust, leightweight and quick release leg loops, great first harness.
Rock Empire do a good first harness, called the acrobat, loads of leg padding for frequent falls...
hope it helps
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gyngve
Feb 12, 2003, 1:07 PM
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I think chalk is overrated. If you need chalk to climb it, then climb something easier. Besides, on the overused sport routes, you can practically chalk your hands up just by placing your hands on the white holds...
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geezergecko
Feb 12, 2003, 2:16 PM
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A helmet. They may provide them but a personal one may be more comfortable.
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gypsy
Feb 12, 2003, 3:24 PM
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ahh the memories. Crowder's is the first place I ever climbed. I was a camper at a summer camp near Columbia, SC. I had never considered climbing up a flat rock before, I went on the trip because it advirtised White Water Rafting. I climbed a climb called "The Bear" and was completely freaked out, only made it halfway up (it was probably a 5.5)...that was almost 10 years ago
if only I could get past that level (pause to smack self in head)...hehe
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zapata
Feb 12, 2003, 6:51 PM
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I usually tell people to get a nice big locker, like a nice fat Omega Jake
and then a smaller one, like the petzel attache
edited cause I can't spell gud
[ This Message was edited by: zapata on 2003-02-12 10:52 ]
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carolinaclimb
Feb 15, 2003, 12:48 AM
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Thanks for all the advice so far...but what type of rapelling device is a good choice to "start" with but is good enough to keep for a long time? Would you recommend a Petzl or Metolius locking biner? to go along with that? I'm hoping to do my first outdoor climb tomorrow morning if we don't get rained out A month of drought type weather and now rain predicted
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zapata
Feb 15, 2003, 5:36 AM
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An ATC is good.
The brand of biner doesn't reall matter, it's personal preference what type of locker you use. I use the petzel attache, that I mentioned above, for belaying/rappeling.
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