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Dumbest outdoor gear purchase

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Woodchuck ATC wrote: You realize there is a whole clan of folks out there who worship the tri-cam and think it is the overall best and most secure piece of pro ever invented.....don't let them find out you sold out to the devil .
I went climbing at Vedauwoo with a dude from North Carolina once. We were racking up at the car, and he handed me his tricams. I tossed them back in the trunk of the car. His mouth fell open and then he said "Where I come from, that woulda started a fight". I replied "we aren't where you come from, are we?"
Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280
Brian Scoggins wrote: I went climbing at Vedauwoo with a dude from North Carolina once. We were racking up at the car, and he handed me his tricams. I tossed them back in the trunk of the car. His mouth fell open and then he said "Where I come from, that woulda started a fight". I replied "we aren't where you come from, are we?"
Not even allowed for His Leads? Respect the tri-cam!!
Sirius · · Oakland, CA · Joined Nov 2003 · Points: 660

'97 Subaru Legacy Wagon. Good god what a pile... engine borked on us 10 different ways costing more $ than we could spend as students -- "this time the $500 fix will get us to 200k! Clear sailing from here on out!"-- final blow being a blown head gasket @ 68k miles. RIP you filthy mf'er wherever you are. We wanted to love you!

When I see any thread on this site, "FS: Used rope" strong feelings surge inside of me. If you bought used soft goods - particularly a rope?!! - from a seller you don't know and trust online, THAT was your dumbest outdoor gear purchase bar none. Are used rope sellers just looking to take advantage of people who don't know better?

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330
Sirius wrote:'97 Subaru Legacy Wagon. Good god what a pile... engine borked on us 10 different ways costing more $ than we could spend as students -- "this time the $500 fix will get us to 200k! Clear sailing from here on out!"-- final blow being a blown head gasket @ 68k miles. RIP you filthy mf'er wherever you are. We wanted to love you! When I see any thread on this site, "FS: Used rope" strong feelings surge inside of me. If you bought used soft goods - particularly a rope?!! - from a seller you don't know and trust online, THAT was your dumbest outdoor gear purchase bar none. Are used rope sellers just looking to take advantage of people who don't know better?
I'm still driving my '97 Ouback...150k later and it's been relatively low- maintenance.
Alan Doak · · boulder, co · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 120

A long time ago I picked up an ugly pair of red Patagonia fleece tights for cheap at an REI garage sale. They were warm, but I cringe whenever I see pictures of me wearing them. It sucks to hide/bury my best hero shots from when I was younger.

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Woodchuck ATC wrote: Not even allowed for His Leads? Respect the tri-cam!!
He had declined to lead that day, so I got to pick the rack. That said, I'm not a great fan of cleaning tri-cams either...
Forthright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 110
csproul wrote: I'm still driving my '97 Ouback...150k later and it's been relatively low- maintenance.
That's how Subi's are. Most are great but then a few are always troublesome to say the very least.
Craig T · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 0

I bought one of the yellow egg suitcase things because I always end up with broken eggs if I toss em in a cooler. Put in 6 jumbo eggs, closed the case, and it broke them all.

chuffnugget · · Bolder, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 0

Open shuts

Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Sirius wrote: When I see any thread on this site, "FS: Used rope" strong feelings surge inside of me. If you bought used soft goods - particularly a rope?!! - from a seller you don't know and trust online, THAT was your dumbest outdoor gear purchase bar none. Are used rope sellers just looking to take advantage of people who don't know better?
Guilty. I bought a used section of rope on here that was advertised as "minimal fraying, maybe 40 uses, no big falls if any", the mid-point had sustained damage so it was cut into two pieces. A few months prior the seller had another thread where he was asking what to do with his "definitely used and abused" pendulum rope. Same rope, slightly different descriptions... The sheath isn't in bad shape and I really only wanted the piece to practice CR and anchor building with friends so I'm not too worried but it was just sad to see. I'll stick to new for actual climbing ropes.
Jan Tarculas · · Riverside, Ca · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 917

Beer less than 5% alcohol including PBRs. Why drink water in a can?

But I won't hesistate to drink a free beer offered to me, including a PBR

chuffnugget · · Bolder, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 0

Climbing magazine

KEN tucky · · Pewee Valley · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 60

I picked one of these up a few years ago for a backpacking trip in the whites.. turns out I had a dick the whole time.. Dumbest for sure.

shedick

Gold Plated Rocket Pony · · Colorado · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 96

Alpine Up. Just horrid

alpine up

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098
KENtucky wrote:I picked one of these up a few years ago for a backpacking trip in the whites.. turns out I had a dick the whole time.. Dumbest for sure.
Good job.
Mike Wysuph · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 5

Sawyer Inline Water Filter with Bottle...thought I was being revolutionary in the backpacking game.

Getting water out of it was like trying to suck a grapefruit through a straw. I distinctly remember being light-headed after my first drink.

DrApnea · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 265
KENtucky wrote:I picked one of these up a few years ago for a backpacking trip in the whites.. turns out I had a dick the whole time.. Dumbest for sure.
I actually just laughed out loud at work. Thanks for that.
Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

I got an awesome 6'' dynema sling that works great for racking like, 10 carabiners... in my gear box.. Didn't really think that one through at all.

Austin Baird · · SLC, Utah · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 95

One of my buddies had gone canyoneering for the first time and got really excited about buying his own gear. He picked up a harness, ATC, locking 'biner, and...5 feet of webbing. He showed up with his webbing, asked if it was too long, and then stared at the 40 foot piece that I was stuffing in my pack. He still brings it on every canyon we do and gets really excited when we're able to use it (which we've done once).

Eric Mountford · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 0

Easily my dumbest purchase was a hybrid bike. Think a road bike with suspension shocks on it. Dumb.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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