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BD Camelot C-4 and stoppers for beginners

Original Post
MARKEMS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I live in Southern California and Iam looking into getting some active protection.(Cams or stoppers) I live in the Pasadena area to be Specific. I was wondering what size of cams you would recommend or stoppers or combination of both for a beginner. I have all the gear I need to do top rope and some lead climbing(6 BD quickdraws). Most recently I went out to Malibu state Creekpark and that was a lot of fun!

Thank you for your time and knowledge.

keep on climbing!

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Mark,

Do you have any experienced partners? If so, you would get a better idea of what gear you need to start a rack. Also, you would get some training on how to place them and use them.

You could start with a set of C4's, from .3 - #4 and a set of stoppers. Maybe six 24" runners and six quick draws. Just the usual starter rack. Eventually, you will want "doubles" in cams, which is two of each size.

And nuts/stoppers are "passive" pro, not "active."

Make sure you get some training on placing pro and building anchors.

Good luck.

Suburban Roadside · · Abovetraffic on Hudson · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 2,419

You do not need to spend your money on gear. You should drop by a gym.
indoor climbing is the now. Way to learn climbing, not the only way. If you pass on the gym, that's fine,
Hire a guide to take you outdoors. Ask a lot of questions have the paid guide help you decide what you do need .
What shoes and helmet do you have?
Do you like your Harness?
Do all three fit ?
Shoes can be pricey and wear fast when starting out.
Getting two pairs of shoes gives you some wiggle room.
A tight pair for short climbs and a different make and style for all day long climbs.
The world of climbing is made up of specialties, if you are going to the mountains you may want a harness that allows for layering,
Gear can wait every year the technology gets different, not always better.
Vertical adventures, run by Bob Gains, is one of the longest running excellent climbing schools in the world. No kidding . Be honest and directly ask for what you want, a fun day of climbing or a learning focused, planned out program.
There are other good climbing programs, that do groups wait till you are ready before you go with a paid group.
The best way to go is to hire a guide to take you one on one; just you and the guide at least three times, some say ten times ! That is expensive but it will save your life!
Good luck,
Climbing is dangerous share that fact with your family and loved ones,

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Not to be snarky but do some research, learn about climbing, go out with other people, take a class etc. I really have to echo what the others are saying above.

Don't just go out and buy a rack with your disposable income without even knowing how to use it. This is a dangerous sport. Buy John Long or Craig Luebben's book and learn about the gear and placements.

Justin S · · Plattsburgh, NY · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 120

I agree with the rest but, when it comes to placement of gear both active and passive don't just read it in a book and go for it. Cam placements can be tricky and it's very important to know what a good placement looks like more than ever when placing small gear. Books are great but I highly suggest going into to the partners forum for your area and find an experienced partner who will physically show you gear placement and anchors. There's plenty of people who will show you on here. I posted on here when I moved to CA and was lucky enough to find good partners who let me use their gear first and test the different cams and but which saved me lots of $$. There's some straight up d bags here but most of the people are genuinely good people.

MARKEMS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

Thank you all for the advice. I have shoes, harness, and a helmet that all fit me correctly. I also have a 60m Mammuth non-dry rope.I was just at hanger 18 Rancho Cucamonga CA. The hardest thing I did there was a V-2 but I over gripped everything.... What translates at the gym does not translate outside, I have found out. Right now I'm trying to find someone who is more experience in that area but have had no luck as of yet. Most people here either do bouldering or just have the gear to do top rope. I myself am an REI employee and have a few coworkers who are in the climbing but I just don't know them yet... So hopefully in the future I will be able to go with some my workers. I know REI offers outdoor classes for rock climbing and I am planning to take some soon.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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