Bargain Climbing Gear (Short Post)

I recently picked up a set of climbing gear for an absolute bargain off Gumtree. I never would have used Gumtree before, but after this bargain, I'll be using it a lot more. In the bargain deal was included a pair of Boreal Zephyr climbing shoes, a Petzl Sama harness, Black Diamond carabiner and belay device, and a Mountain Equipment Co-op climbing bag. All for what price, you ask? I snagged this deal approximately 8 hours after it was posted, for $100.

Adventure on!
- Rohan.

Bargain Climbing Gear

I have recently gotten into the rock climbing scene. After a month of handing out money for shoe and harness hire, as well as entry fees every Friday, I decided it was about time I purchased my own gear. At this stage, I was ready to go out and buy some middle of the range gear, with good performance and quality, but still durable enough so I wouldn't have to buy replacement gear anytime soon.

After a weekend of research, I thought I had found the perfect set of gear. There was just one problem: I was (being a teenager) severely low on funds. The whole set would cost in excess of $300. While I was wallowing in the depressive state caused by my lack of funds, someone suggested I try Gumtree. So I did just that.

For the next hour, I put in as many search terms as I could think of that would bring up a good deal for a climbing gear set. I found one set that was reasonably priced at $200 for shoes, a harness, chalk bag, and a belay device with a carabiner. I then read the description, and discovered that the seller was selling due to ingrown toenails making climbing unbearable. My previous experience with ingrown toenails taught me all I needed to know, and given climbers don't wear socks with their shoes, that deal was a no go.

Miracle deal on climbing gear for $100 - Boreal Zephyr's, Petzl
Sama, Arc'teryx Chalk Bag, Black Diamond Belay Device and
Carabiner, Mountain Equipment Co-op Climbing Bag

Another half an hour of searching yielded a great result: climbing shoes, harness, chalk bag, carabiner, belay device and a bag, all for $100. This had been posted no less than four hours ago, so I hastily got in contact with the seller, and by the end of the day, the gear was mine.

This purchase is likely never to be seen again, given I had to try on sizes for the shoes and harness. I looked up the sizing chart for the harness, and knew I would probably fit. The shoes, I wasn't sure about. When I went to check sizes, it was a miracle: both the harness and the shoes fit my perfectly. I snatched up the gear without any second thoughts.

In short, I will be using Gumtree a lot more now, and I recommend that you do too. Just make sure you always read the description, and if you can, read reviews on the product itself.

Adventure on!

- Rohan.

Kathmandu Blackburn GORE-TEX Jacket - Short Review

Snatched up the fully waterproof and windproof Blackburn jacket from Kathmandu a few days ago! Works brilliantly fully lined with GORE-TEX. Picked it up on sale too, along with some other great pants from Kathmandu, sure to serve me well on my hikes.

The jacket works absolutely flawlessly, especially in the Australian downpour. All the features like sealed zips and removable hood are in just the right places. There's no way you can get wet in this jacket.

From the Kathmandu Website:
"Whether you’re on a day-hike or travelling overseas, this versatile, fully lined GORE-TEX® jacket is the one you want with you. The waterproof, wind-proof and fully-lined Blackburn is a comfortable high performance jacket, at home on the mountain or in the city. It’s lightweight and easy to pack, making it the ideal layer whether you’re walking up the trail or running for the plane – nothing’s weighing you down. Removable hood and adjustable hem and cuffs."

I highly recommend you stop in at your local Kathmandu and check it out today. They've always got a sale on, and you're sure to pick up a bargain. To quote the friendly checkout clerk that helped me pick this perfect jacket, "You basically got the pants free and the jacket half price." Not bad for a $400 jacket and $100 pants...

To see more pictures of my adventures and gear, follow me on Instagram at: rohanjc

Adventure on!
- Rohan.