Beginner Climber Gear List
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Might anyone have any sound advice on climbing gear for the beginner? I literally did my first climb with some friends at Rumbling Bald. Of course, my friends had me doing multi-pitch climbs and I was too ignorant to know better. |
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In order of necessity and general chronological order of most climbers' purchases (taking into account that you already have some of the basics): |
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You should also have a "mentor" or someone to help you learn. Including which gear to buy. |
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Wow! Thanks for the quick reply. Very helpful. At this time, I like sport climbing, probably because the sport is still new to me. I am sure I will be getting into more aggressive climbs as I progress. |
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In addition to what you already have: A belay device. |
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Frank, |
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wivanoff wrote: buy now, and you'll end up with a bunch of stuff that you'll wish you didn't spend money on.
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Helmet. |
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In Southern speak, "Thanks yawl"! Yep, super excited about climbing. Makes sense about not ending up with useless gear and spending money on superior gear. Next investment, belay device...and helmet. Lord knows, I don't need anymore self-inflicted injuries. |
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Sharpen your skills before you can't pay the bills (I.e. get geardicted, it's way too easy to buy a set of cams that you wont need until you get better and "forget" to pay the electric). |
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Steven Groetken wrote:Sharpen your skills before you can't pay the bills (I.e. get geardicted, it's way too easy to buy a set of cams that you wont need until you get better and "forget" to pay the electric).Funny....kinda sums it all up, right? LOLOLOLOL |
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here's a useful link about picking climbing shoes
super topo has a collection of gear reviews that could be helpful. who knows, the 5.10 coyotes may be excellent shoes, but the day may come when you're looking for something else. many climbers have multiple pairs of shoes. i'm a big fan of the la sportiva miura lace ups, a shoe that feels at home on just about any terrain. for quickdraws, the black diamond positrons are very nice for the price range they're in. jury is out on the big bros. tri cams are really cool, but i rarely use mine, could just be due to where i climb. i don't often see hexes used either, sold mine a few years ago and haven't missed them. some may scoff at this, but a couple quicklinks from a hardware store can be really handy for all kinds of things, as well as lots of prusik cord. a stick clip is very cheap, and easy to make. painters pole and a small clamp. hope i was at least somewhat helpful, have fun climbing!! |
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If you're sport climbing definitely get a grigri and a stickclip. |
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experienced people to go with over and over again ... thats what you need ... |
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You have shoes and a harness, the next thing you need is a helmet. Unless you're going to be exclusively climbing inside, you should get one and wear it. Fellow climbers are much more likely to have a spare belay device to lend you than a spare helmet. |
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2nd to |
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3rd (or 4th, 5th?) to helmet and belay device. |
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i always forget about the helmet |
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ErikaNW wrote:3rd (or 4th, 5th?) to helmet and belay device. I would also invest in a rope (60m or 70m depending on what crags you are hitting) - simply because ropes wear out and it is a really nice gesture to share that expense with your climbing partners/mentors, even if you aren't leading yet, rather than relying on their gear all of the time. Have fun and climb safe!It IS a nice gesture. So is buying the beer after climbing. So is carrying your friend's gear for them. To the OP: You had some advice about buying a skinny rope. But, if you're going to buy it for youself and use it for toproping, I'd recommend you buy a fatter rope that will take the abuse. Doesn't have to be a dry treated rope. Check out what you're friends are using. If you get something similar they'll be more prone to use it. By the time you're ready to lead, you'll want to replace that first rope anyway. Oh, and forget the Big Bros. Forget the 'set' of Tricams. When you're ready you might want 0.5 - 2.0 Tricams. But, likely not a full set. And +1 on the helmet. There are some that will accept a ponytail nicely. Look at the Petzl Elias. |
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If you stick with it in NC, you're going to end up trad climbing. To save some $, get the guide ATC from the start. If u get the regular ATC, you'll just end up buying the guide ATC down the road. Have fun. |
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It has been said by others, but I will add my vote for the buy a helmet and an ATC Guide, then just go climb A LOT with more experienced folks. |