Just starting out...

[L14M]

Hey guys, i've just passed my CS 38 and was looking to purchase my first set of climbing equipment. I was just looking for some extra opinions/recommendations before i purchase anything, so is there any particular ropes you would recommend for a beginner such as myself?

Thanks

Liam.

[andrew t]

marlow gecko is a good rope good price buxtons have set deals on complete kits.

[L14M]

Cheers for the info, i'll look it up now

[Dilz]

thats a tough question really.....most newbies are greatly restricted by their budget, one of the best things to do is get down to a trade show such as the APF and try out as much as you can....my advice for a newb is not to go for all the shiny metal first, get harness that fits you well, you spend a lot of time in it. Ropes again are very personal and it depende on what system you use, though I really rate most Yale ropes (Blaze aint one i like) and when put on a spot for some one who isnt sure i say XTC spearmint or the like, its bit heavy, but is good on the hands, wears well, not too bouncy, good for working off knots such as blakes and prussik, can also be used with hitch climber set ups and the ART jacks, but once you start heading into these shiny things then you'll want to drop to a thinner a rope as it's slickness you are after, the XTC offers a reliably good all round rope, and once you move on from it in a year or so depending on how much you use it, it makes and excellent pulling rope, and even for rigging. As with hitch cords and such, you have to experiment, climbing kit is personal and evey one is different.

 

Rather than asking such a broad general question, have a look at the catalouges and on the website, see what catches your eye, then ask about that specific product. Also if budget is a real issue then keep things simple - my first kit was - a weaver harness, 35meter xtc, a 3 strand positioning strop with a prussik, split tail for a blakes, and 4 Krabs at least 2 of which are still in the kit bag after 8 years, you could put something together like that for maybe 200 + Vat. Also another thing to remeber is you adjust to what you use, especialy when new, i only switched of XTC 6 months ago after trying the poison ivy (a good rope and one to consider imop) - ah also a taped sling is really handy to have. and be warned shiny things are addictive!

[andrew t]

My firm is buying the starter kit from buxtons for a little extra we are getting the tree motion harness which imo the best outthere by far.

[L14M]

Cheers for all the info, i'm looking into several options now, plus just another quick question, what length of rope would you recommend? i'm thinking something like 45m maybe? better to have too much than not enough?

Cheers

Liam.

[L14M]

i looked at the tree motion harness but for a beginner it is pretty expensive...

[welshclimber]

gustharts put together climbing kits to. would think your rite there better to have enough rather than not enough.

[L14M]

Cheers for that website link

[Mark Bolam]

Where are you L?

 

There are some top suppliers on here, and it would be worth a drive out for a day to meet them and have a play with the gear before you splash out.

 

The top suppliers on this site want happy customers, so they will tailor things to your needs rather than trying to rip cash off you.

 

All the good ones have a banner ad in the column on the right.