All Passive in CO

I'm a poor college student looking to build a rack and I was curious how had it is to go (or at least start off) with all passive pro. Obviously a set of stoppers and hexes won't cut it at the creek, but what about the south platte or other front range areas?

Thanks,
Tom

mountainproject.com/v/trad_…

mountainproject.com/v/trad_…

gray rock would work

Climbers were doing first ascents for decades before cams were invented. You will be fine and more skilled than others if you climb on passive gear only for a while.

Greg D wrote:Climbers were doing first ascents for decades before cams were invented. You will be fine and more skilled than others if you climb on passive gear only for a while.

+1

I wish I had started trad climbing back when I got my first set of nuts. Instead I waited a year until I got some cams. Waste of time! There are plenty of things that you can lead safely on passive pro. Especially when you are just getting into the game.

Happy Climbing!

any moderate route can be led with a set of tricams and nuts ...

Greg D wrote:Climbers were doing first ascents for decades before cams were invented. You will be fine and more skilled than others if you climb on passive gear only for a while.

+2.. I learned how to clean and then lead on nuts & hexes. They were old so was my mentor!!! Once I was able to build my own rack I started with nuts and hexes, leading at the Gunks and up in NH. When I got my first cam, it was like WOW!! Then I refined my rack to tri-cams (which used to be cheaper) and cams. Haven't used my hexes in while but it's a great skill to learn and will make you a more confident leader because you really have to think about placement on route and when creating belay station.

Think about this.... How many first ascenters did bold leads in hobnailed boots while hammering in pitons, tied into a hemp rope? I'm not talking easy sh*& either.

Eldo and Bocan both take nuts very well.
Pear Buttress is a GREAT moderate climb to do at Lumpy on nuts.

West face routes on Castle Rock can be lead with nuts and hexes, those cracks eat hexes like crazy. You won't miss cams there at all.

Lumpy Ridge

Add some tricams and you're golden!

I learned entirely on passive gear and am probably a better climber because of it. There's nothing nicer than a well-placed hex. That said, I wouldn't give up my cams. They're faster and more secure in marginal placements and when you're pumped out. Buy a passive rack and start adding cams when you can afford it.