Depressed in the Great White North...

Blargh! I don't even have an ice climbing partner this winter!

In fact - all my climbing partners for this year have gone (honest - not because of me).

So here I am - in my basement with my gear. I want to cheer myself up. I want to buy gear. What should an aspiring aid climber buy? Especially as I'm going to head out and practice on top-rope then aid-solo (lack of partners).

Hhmm... I'm thinking a snake charmer rope bag perhaps?

I got all the gadgets such as grigris and mini-traxions. Anchors galore! I got more gear than most people I know...

... so what would be a nice present? What do most wall climbers find useful but often overlooked?

Cheers, Graeme.

I'm a huge fan of my Yates Big Wall aiders and my Yates Big Wall harness.

Also, maybe look into some offset nuts (old HB or new DMM) or offset Aliens if you don't already have them.

And let's not forget perseverance, desire, a readiness for sensible self-denial, and ibuprofen.

2 joints and a 6 pack

If you're wondering what you need to climb a big wall, and what you might consider purchasing, start here at Dr. Piton's Ultimate Big Wall Checklist:

rockclimbing.com/Articles/B…

You should also check out John Yates` website, which I believe is yatesgear.com You need to get a pair of his adjustable daisies, and a proper wall harness.

Apologies for busted links and photos in the checklist, I have no way to edit it. If you have any questions, email or phone me. I'd be happy to get out with you most any weekday, but gotta be around on the weekends. [you might need to include some sushi to motivate me, but there's a great place not far from the crags]

Cheers,
Pete

Thanks Pete and all the others that responded!

I got tonnes of gear that's going to get me up routes locally - I think this year will be taken up of that and I'll get a shopping list together for some more routes the following year. Phew I got my work cut out for me this year :-)

Cheers!

P.S. Offer of getting out sounds great - perhaps I can slip out of work sometime! Erm... Sushi place? Where is that then? I'm up for that as a packed lunch :-)

Tako Sushi in Oakville, SE corner of Trafalgar Road and Hwy 5 = Dundas St. On the way to Nemo, Snattlerake and Buffalo crags.

Looks like I'm out when the spring is here and the cooler will be full with Sushi!

Woot! \m/

Would be glad to meet you somewhere Pete!

Hey Graeme, my wife and I are going to go on a fishing trip to Ontario next summer. Is there much rock to climb up there? It looks like there could be some good bouldering from some of the pics I've seen. We are going to be in northwest Ontario. Thanks.
Christopher

Christopher, do you have more detail about where you're going? Ontario is a big place and northwestern Ontario (Thunder Bay and vicinity) is a 16 hour drive from Toronto. Thunder Bay does have some well established climbing, although I'm not sure about availability of information. The name Sleeping Giant rings a bell.

We will be fishing at Perrault Lake (about 3 hours north of Ft. Frances) unless you can recommend a better fishing spot. I have not booked any reservations yet. I'm planning on bringing the climbing gear no matter what.

Christopher Jones wrote:We will be fishing at Perrault Lake (about 3 hours north of Ft. Frances) unless you can recommend a better fishing spot. I have not booked any reservations yet. I'm planning on bringing the climbing gear no matter what.