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2fargon
Mar 24, 2011, 3:06 AM
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Registered: Mar 24, 2011
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Hey guys. New to the forum and climbing in general. I've climbed/rappelled a few times with my sister but have never really pursued it as a hobby until now. I have a couple questions about some gear I picked up today. I found some stuff on ebay that seemed to be a good deal but I'm wondering now how good of a deal it was. I bought a Miller Descend device with 100 foot rope as well as another rope and a couple harnesses and caribeners. Well I got looking at the gear and it was made in 1989! It all appears to be basically brand new and I never would have guessed its age without seeing the dates. The ropes look new with no cuts or frays at all. It looks like someone bought it, used it once and threw it in the basement. Is this stuff safe or is it garbage? I don't see why the Descend Device would expire but the ropes? I've looked around a bit and this stuff appears to be more heavy duty than the average climbing stuff. More like the stuff a window cleaner would use on huge buildings. Any info/advice appreciated. Forgive me if these are silly questions here. Just learning the ropes. Thanks!
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potreroed
Mar 24, 2011, 3:25 AM
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Registered: Sep 30, 2001
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The hardware is prolly OK but the ropes and harness are worthless. In fact, those ropes are prolly static ropes which shouldn't be used for climbing anyway.
Beware your new "hobby", it will consume you.
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2fargon
Mar 24, 2011, 3:32 AM
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potreroed wrote: The hardware is prolly OK but the ropes and harness are worthless. In fact, those ropes are prolly static ropes which shouldn't be used for climbing anyway. Beware your new "hobby", it will consume you.
Thanks for the reply. I knew this would be the answer but didn't want to accept the fact that I just got burned out of some money lol. I'll keep the caribeners, toss the ropes/harnesses and throw the descnet device on ebay as it looks to be more for industrial use anyway. Crap. Lesson learned.
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airscape
Mar 24, 2011, 7:05 AM
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Registered: Feb 26, 2001
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Post a photo.
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Kstenson
Mar 24, 2011, 9:00 AM
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Registered: Jan 7, 2011
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If your just starting out and don't have an experienced gear head to help you out I would avoid buying used gear online, takes a fair bit of knowledge to buy the right stuff for the right price and safely.
The safety of a brand new moderate range harness/belay device from a well known brand is worth the extra cost when you're first starting
(This post was edited by Kstenson on Mar 24, 2011, 9:00 AM)
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socalclimber
Mar 24, 2011, 11:59 AM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2001
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Definitely ditch the nylon. Nylon deteriorate over time even with out use. The harness is done, so is the rope. Use the rope to tow cars or tie things down with.
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sungam
Mar 24, 2011, 1:11 PM
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Registered: Jun 24, 2004
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socalclimber wrote: Definitely ditch the nylon. Nylon deteriorate over time even with out use. The harness is done, so is the rope. Use the rope to tow cars or tie things down with.
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socalclimber
Mar 24, 2011, 1:16 PM
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Registered: Nov 27, 2001
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Yup, I keep all my retired ropes. They get used for all sorts of stuff!
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socalclimber
Mar 24, 2011, 1:18 PM
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Actually, I will amend my statement. I have two levels of retirement for ropes. If they are done for leading in general, but not terrible, they get used for anchors and extenders, then when they start to look sad, off they go to the garage.
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