New to climbing

[jw5231]

First off let me introduce my self my name is Jason and i am currently enrolled in the arboriculture program at the stockbridge school of agriculture at Umass Amherst. i have been in the industry for a couple years mostly just summer jobs as a ground man, and on weekend during the school year. One of my classes is a climbing and rigging class which i find very interesting and enjoy very much. my question for you guys here is how much will i be looking to spend when i go and buy my own set of climbing gear. i was thinking of trying to save about $700 and plan to buy my own saddle and a couple ropes around thanksgiving. The reason i am waiting so long is because the school has numerous saddles that we can use and figure out which one suits us best. and also has vendors come to the school that offer a pretty good student discount. I just want somthing basic to start, but would like to be able to add to it this summer when i go on internship, and throughout the early part of my career.
Thanks alot
Jason

 

[tomtrees58]

well its a good school keep up the book work tom trees

 

[outofmytree]

Welcome to AS Jason.

Hope you are having fun at your course and listening with both ears. I often find that something I was told years ago pops back into my head as a solution for a problem.

I cannot help you with cost of kit as prices in Australia are wayyyyy different to yours but I can suggest a few items of kit.

Your own saddle should be your first purchase and take advantage of trial units as you suggested to figure out what suits you best. Next you will need at least 2 karabiners, a figure eight descender and some prussik cord. Last you must have your own climbing rope and I strongly recommend that the prussik cord be one that is suited to the rope. Ask a reputable dealer about matching up the 2 ropes.

When you know how much these items cost, you will know what your budget is. I also suggest that you hook up with some gonzo climbers and pick their brains. You never know what gems you can grab this way. Remember to compare what others say with your lecturers and try to filter out the BS.

Keep asking questions my man, it is the fastest way to get answers!!!

 

[treemandan]

700? Its a start and you should be able to hook yourself up with that. I suggest The Cougar saddle made by Weaver for versility, durabilty, comfort and price. Get the bossun seat, should be no more that 325 or something.

 

[RacerX]

$700 for a beginner is a nice budget. When I started rec climbing a few years ago it cost me $200 to get into a tree. IMO it's nice to start off with the simplest possible setup. A rope, saddle, one auto locking carabiner and maybe a leather cambium saver. Start with the traditional climbing system with the rope over a crotch, knotted to the carabiner attached to the saddle and a Blake hitch on the rope. Once you've mastered that technique you can move on to more elaborate hitches, split tails, eye to eye prusiks, micro pulleys, and hitch climber pulleys. And for $15 bucks I would recommend the Tree Climber's Companion book.

 

[Plasmech]

700? Its a start and you should be able to hook yourself up with that. I suggest The Cougar saddle made by Weaver for versility, durabilty, comfort and price. Get the bossun seat, should be no more that 325 or something.

$700? Ha. I'm at like $5,000 and haven't taken down a sapling yet.

(kidding)

 

[md_tree_dood]

Welcome. I'd get the glide instead of the cougar if that's what you're looking for, the cougar is a replica of the glide with a bridge that's not as nice, in my opinion of course.

Don't skimp on rope, and don't buy true blue or arbormaster or safety blue, or any other 1/2" rope. They are inexpesive lines and while everyone climbs on them, its because everyone is old school, cheap, and think with their pocket and not their body. Spend the money on a nice, lightweight line like velocity or lava. They perform better and don't cost that much more. They knot better, run better, weigh less, and don't streeeeettttchhhh.

 

[jefflovstrom]

SHERRILL is havig a SALE!!!
Jeff

 

[arborist]

SHERRILL is havig a SALE!!!
Jeff

yeah,a real sale!I called a little bit ago before closing.

 

[jefflovstrom]

Dang Time Zones!!
Jeff