Beginer Gear

Welcome to The Buzz!

What sort of climbing will you be doing? Recreational? Weekend Warrior? Graduating from draggin' brush?

What level of commitment do you have? Are you needing to try this out to see if its for you or do you have plans but not experience yet to spend several years doing this?

My budget includes not only bottom line dollars, but value, ease of use, and safety. Don't have to worry about power windows, air conditioning and power door locks-- they come with the climb. Custom paint is optional, and discouraged, as are body modifications.

Where in the world are you? Sometimes a fellow climber or two can spend some time with you in person, too. Some things it is wise to get new. Some you can get a reasonable used.

Looking forward to your contribution, too.

I could be out on a limb,
 
If you are just starting out climbing you ought to consider a weaver wideback saddle with fixed D rings. They can be had for less than 150 dollars.
I mention something with good back support because chances are you will start using muscles and movements that you generally may not use too often otherwise. The support will help.
Also the fixed D rings can be helpful to a new climber because anything with floating D's or a bridge will allow you more side-to-side movement that might make stability more difficult for you. As you gain your tree legs in time, you may want to move up to a different saddle that really lets you twist and turn. This is all just my opinion and I am sure some of the real veterans on this site will have some great suggestions for you.
 
I'm in southern Minnesota, and I am not too serious about climbing. Me and a friend have some tree chair-type hammocks that we have been putting up in trees (not too high.. 15ft max) and we want to start going higher, but we also want to do it safely and at the same time not spend too much.
 
Not too serious about climbing???

Maybe time to reconsider...or take some lessons. Falling is serious.

Have you read 'The Tree Climbers Companion'? by Minnesotan Jeff Jepson.

rock climbing harness will work or even a webbing harness.

Be prepared to spend several hundred dollars to get outfitted with basic gear.
 
A basic saddle, 120 feet of climbing rope, a lanyard, and a few snaps or biners could be had for a couple hundred bucks.


Id not recommend a rock climbing harness or webbing harness, they are made for fall restraint, not positioning. Care to rethink that Tom?

Get the Tree Climbers Companion to start. Read it cover to cover, then read it again. That alone will give you a better idea on what you might need to start
 
Do you and your friend ever get to the Cities? I can show you basic climbing in basic gear or as much as you have patience for. Do NOT underestimate a fall from 15'. The tree chair hammocks are a cool idea. I hang out in various hammocks all summer long up here. But you need to be tied in with rope and harness. Send me a PM if interested.

Take the advice and read Tree Climbers Companion cover to cover. With a little instruction and a lot of interest you'll find a whole new world.

I think what Tom's saying is that any harness is 1000% better than no harness.
 
I'll third the vote for Tree Climber's Companion. And then put the stuff into practice. I started with a New Tribe saddle and even got a pouch that held, amongst other things, The Companion!

Sounds like you want to enjoy the altitudes. New Tribe's are fine and fun for setting and chillin', and even playing.

Southern Minnesota? I heard my Hort alma mater, U of Mn, Waseca, is now a prison. Can you verify?
 
For only under $100 you're not going to buy a whole lot. Most of the climbing saddles are a lot more than that. You're best bet would be talking to someone and learning from them and maybe borrowing some gear or trying to find someone who has some for sale.
 
I suppose this is all covered in the book everyone is talking about, but what are the main components to a BASIC gear loadout?

saddle..
ascenders..
etc..?
 
It is possible to monkey fist a rope into a tree and not need a throwline. At Tree Climbers International they don't teach climbing with lanyards in their Basic tree climbing classes.

I would have a real hard time suggesting not having throwline and lanyard though.

The most basic list in groups:

Tree Climber's Companion

Harness
Rope
Helmet
Safety glasses

Throwline
Proper rope snap/carabiner
 
If you have some free time.. I'll be in Rochester Friday afternoon. I can meet you at a place and show you the ropes, saddles, and equipment you'll need. We can throw a line over a tree limb and tie some basic knots. This at least would give you an idea of what your in for.

Where are you?? If your interested, call my cell, maybe we can meet in the middle?

Russ Lewis
Vermeer Sales

1-952-292-1681
 
Me thinks rspaulding fell asleep in his chair. Or maybe he saw a picture of the FENCE. Hmmmmmmmmm.................
confused.gif
 
For what it's worth, I recently geared up (worked. Have had some training over the years, and done quite a bit of studying on the matter, but not much hands on until now. Fortunately I have had a lot of good advice from a couple veteran climbers. With anything I get into, I always like to get the best I can afford...actually, given the prospect of making my wife a widow and the kids orphans, this is especially true. I know you don't want to spend this much, but here's what I got:

1. hard hat $95
2. Pinnacle saddle $265
3. flipline w/ microcender $150
4. 150' blue streak climbing line $130
5. snap & carabiner $30
6. breakaway saw lanyard $20
7. throwline and bag $25


So for $700 I was outfitted with the basics. I personally wouldn't want to do too much with gear that ran me a couple hundred. I'm gonna have to spend a little more, as I want to try the split tail/micropulley setup using two biners instead of one snap. I was watching a buddy this morning run this setup; seemed like he could move around a lot easier.

Other goodies to come: split tail rope, friction saver, climbers companion, micropulley and two more carabiners, sling/block
 
[ QUOTE ]
... So for $700 I was outfitted with the basics.
...
Other goodies to come: split tail rope, friction saver, climbers companion, micropulley and two more carabiners, sling/block

[/ QUOTE ]

That's how it begins.
 
I've spent 800 just on misc gear this year already and I've avoid alot of the bit things to get. Good luck and climb safe. Education is your best tool.
 
AU, you already have the safety glasses...right? Sounds like you already use a chainsaw most of the time. Please..read the current thread in the saw section on making your cuts. You with your friends most of the time? Watch them and learn. Its hard to undo a motion when its doing 10,000 rpm. We don't want to read about you!

You don't give your location.. I would have given you the Companion FIRST.

Thanks for sharing and welcome.

R/lew
 
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