Hexes?

So many people are overstating the positive sides of hexes... the package deal for BD hexes(7 of them) is just over $100, you can get 2 cams for that... so I would say you can get 3-4 hexes for the price of one cam(not 6-7 as one poster said, what cams cost you $105 each?).

Also look into buying used cams, you can easily get good quality and good condition cams for $25-35 each.

And wait for sales, don't buy them for less than %20 off as a start.

I've got two sets of hexes that both sit in the closet collecting dust. I always carry nuts, but cams are generally a waste of money and space in my opinion.

Also, if you reallllly do want to buy hexes, sure as hell don't buy them new. As you have read there are many of us here with them sitting around unused, I'm sure you could find many people looking to sell them cheap to you.

Tim Zander wrote:...I always carry nuts, but cams are generally a waste of money and space in my opinion...

I've never heard anyone say that before. Typo?

Vaughne wrote: I've never heard anyone say that before. Typo?

Oops, meant hexes are waste of space and money

I love my metolius curved hexes and use them a enough to warrant having them.

get cams instead to start off ... hexes are generally for alpine, winter, or moderate routes ...

if you plan on climbing hard eventually, youll get more out of cams in the long run

if you buy hexes, just buy a set off some old geezer for really cheap ... tons of people have unused hexes that they never used very much ...

I would estimate my cam to passive gear (nuts, hexes) placement ratio is 4:1. Thus, I would save the money and stock up on cams. That said, if you want a deal on a set of virtually unused hexes, send me a PM.

I like to climb alpine with a single set of cams and hexes. They're bomber in cracks, lighter than a double set of cams, and much cheaper to leave when you need to bail.

Took 5 along in RMNP this weekend, and used at least one on every pitch, and typically every anchor. Saves the cams for the leader. Ditto on tricams.

It's very difficult to a cowboy a cam up into a high placement and then trust it. OTOH, a hex like that can be bomber.

most other arguments for and against have been said

Get hexes. You'll be happy and you'll make Christopher Walken happy.

vimeo.com/39387904

SlowTrad wrote:They are nice for building top rope anchors at Devil's Lake, WI, which is Baraboo Quartzite that is uber low friction.

Yup. I used to use them a lot before I aquired my current arsenal of cams, but now they mostly get taken out of my pack for TR or rap-in setups at the lake. I got my set of hexes for free though, and if you can swing a deal like that, it's totally worth the money to get some.

Chris treggE wrote:I got my set of hexes for free though, and if you can swing a deal like that, it's totally worth the money to get some.

I got an old used set of BD's for free. Re-slung them and ditched all but the largest 4. Tricams are way better in the smaller sizes. I used them a lot when i was starting out, but for the most part they stay in the gear locker now. When i was a beginner, i liked them alot because it gave me extra placement options and a well placed hex is very confidence inspiring. Now, being more confident, climbing a bit harder, and having expanded my rack some, i don't bring them out unless I know I'll need extra gear. If i lost them tomorrow i wouldn't go out and replace them, but they had their place and I'll keep those i have around.

Matt N wrote:Tricams.

+1

Matt Kuehl wrote: +1

You are such a die hard Tricam junkie

Yeah, tricams are pretty boss, once you learn to place and clean them.
Hexes are great too, especially the bigger sizes, where cams are both pricey and heavy

I avoid most of the annoying cowbelling by knotting my hexes on ever bigger loops, zo they don't clang, and doubling over the #10 & #11, which are on quite long loops.

Has anybody said anything about the wonderful "wind chime" effect when the big sizes are banging against each other? I used to love that, made me feel very Buddhist.

I'm an EC climber... I carry one large fist size hex. Large piece of gear - very light and cheap. Works great on moderate routes. I never really climb with it though... since most the stuff i get on aint fist sized.

FYI, ebay is banning the sale of hexes. :)

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57494848-1/ebay-to-ban-sales-of-spells-hexes-magic-services/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

climber pat wrote:FYI, ebay is banning the sale of hexes. :) news.cnet.com/8301-17938_10…

Harry Potter fans all over will be dissapointed.

Get the DMM torque nuts they are the shit!! I use em almost all the time. Plus they are extendable

+1 for torque nuts. I like them for anchor building and placements in coarse gravelly rock.. Rack them with the top loop as well to cut down the cowbell factor..