Rent climbing gear?

[Prada]

Thinking about renting gear for my next big ascent, but I'm having some second thoughts. After all, who knows what kind of shape that stuff is in? Could be some real junky gear, just waiting to snap and send you plummeting to your doom.
I mean, I'm not saying I'm some kind of gear expert, but I've seen some pretty sketchy stuff at the rental shop. Cracked carabiners, frayed ropes, the whole nine. And don't even get me started on those chalk bags...
So, what's rent or buy? I'm thinking about rent climing gear but I'm curious to hear what you guys think.
Thanks

[FF90]

Simple
Whats your life worth?

[Vinnie Boombatz]

If you're planning for your "next big ascent" that would lead me to believe that you are an experienced climber? If so, why don't you have your own gear? If you've been climbing long enough and know what your doing you'd already have your own gear, which may lead me to believe (and please don't get offended by this) you're not that experienced.

I don't climb anymore, but used to do a lot of trad, ice and alpine climbing years ago all over Colorado, Wyoming, New England, etc. Only thing I would ever feel comfortable renting would be things like ice tools, crampons or boots. No way I ever felt comfortable renting ropes, protection for trad climbing, ice screws, cams, etc. I've rented those thongs mentioned because I was in the market for a new set of axes, new boots, new crampons and wants to demo them first because the gear isn't cheap and wanted to make sure it was what I was looking for, but for any kind of protection it would be a hard pass for me.

Also, I think you're being a little dramatic as far as "cracked carabiners and frayed ropes", etc. If you REALLY saw those things at a climbing shop in their rental department, you would have already answered your own question and wouldn't need to come to a firearms forum and ask the question and that shop probably wouldn't be in business very long.

I used to work at a very popular climbing shop in Boulder, CO and we rented gear and never had any rental gear that resulted in accidents, but with that said, I already told you what gear I was comfortable using as a rental and what I wasn't. You have no idea where things like cams, carabiners, ice screws and ropes have been. I'd also never rent a harness personally. Have they taken falls, been damaged, have they been dropped, compromised, etc.

Like a previously poster stated...what's your life worth?

[DolphinFan]

Would you let a stranger pack your parachute?
No,
Buy your own equipment.

[c good]

There are just some things you don't rent. Toothbrushes, underwear, condoms,etc.

I would put climbing gear at that level or higher.

[Preston-CLB]

You have two choices:

Buy your own gear new so that you know its condition.

Team up with a partner that you trust with your life who is already 'geared up'.

If your partner has the hardware, buy a brand new seat harness. If you need webbing, buy new. If you need a rope, buy a new one. Any hardware needed that your partner does not have, buy new.

I was a climber for 40 years, both rock and alpine. I also was the coordinator and instructor for our fire department's low angle rope rescue program.

My personal policy with gear, which I also instituted for our rescue program was to keep 'use logs' for the gear. The logs included inspection, cleaning, adverse use incidents, etc.. It sounds like overkill, but potential failures were spotted before such happenings.

There's some good info in the posts above. The key is to be supremely confident in your gear, as well as your skills.

Have a great climb and be safe!
-P

[DesertDave100]

Different forums, different usernames, different text but same link. Seen this elsewhere. Wonder what the deal is?

[echo1]

Buy Craigslist used gear. PAX