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.
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| 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.
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