Just started my trad rack!

Gavin W wrote: Ok, so I'm in school still, so I can't afford trad gear. REI mispriced these guys online, but somehow still honored my purchase. Also, in before "those are for aid only".

Those are for aid only

FrankPS wrote: Gavin, Is there a point to this thread? Or a question?

save money, make friends with trad racks!

Start by selling those micronuts for 7X what you paid for them.

Add about $60 more and get a set (#4-13) of BD Stoppers. At that point you will have started your trad rack.

after the set of regular stoppers, get a red and pink tricam. maybe it's just the kind of rock i climb, but i've never lead one pitch without spotting a good tri-cam placement. given the club of tri-cam haters, you can usually find very good deals on lightly used tricams here on mountain project. i would recommend just surfing that forum section a couple times a week. also, use a partner's rack and pay attention to what sizes you use most frequently.

Stoppers and hexes to start.

When I was a teenager and started my rack, I'd buy one or two of: a stopper, a hex, a carabiner, a length of tubular webbing to make runners; every week (I had a part time job). It seems frustratingly slow at first, but after a few months I was on my way. After a year I was ok. Once I had a basic set of nuts, I started on cams, but much slower.

Be slow and patient.

Also: tubular webbing cut to a shoulder length loop and tied with a water knot is lacking in the niceties of modern runners, but they are dirt cheap and can get you started.

It's a bummer REI stopped selling their own brand of climbing gear. They had boring, workman-like 'biners for really good prices.

Looks like you have enough gear for one of Eli's anchors. 😃