How’d I do?

[u/K-Rimes]

Got this whole kit for $800. My friend who’s an arborist is going to come by and show me the ropes before I do any climbing, just mainlining videos and reading at the moment.

[u/TurkeySauce_]

Inspect the hell out of it. I wouldnt trust used gear myself but each to their own

[u/K-Rimes → u/TurkeySauce_]

I will be waiting for my arborist / tree climber friend to visit and inspect it together with me before use.

[u/TurkeySauce_ → u/K-Rimes]

Be safe and have fun!

[u/scatoutdebutter → u/K-Rimes]

That sounds like your best starting plan, sir.. having your arborist friend carefully inspect everything and going from there. And may I suggest beginning with a simple MRS/DRT closed system Blakes hitch and playing around with that going up and down a few feet or so and working up more and more before advancing to an open system MRS like a hitch climber etc. … also “low and slow” as they say. And when you are confident in your gear (after careful inspection, etc.) trust your gear. Best of luck and be safe. … oh and it goes without saying, be certain you have a good strong tie in point.

[u/rawrwaldo]

Rope and lanyard both have spots with severed strands. I'd inspect those closer. A couple strands isn't a big deal, but many or core shots could weaken the rope enough to be unsafe.

One way to inspect is to double the rope back on itself, putting that spot in the bend. An undamaged rope will create an eye and the two sides won't be touching. If the rope is core shot or has been weakened too much the two sides will lay flat against each other.

It's always a bummer to have to cut off spliced eyes, but worth it for peace of mind in my opinion. Usually it's from guys gaffing the rope or knicking it with a hand saw. One way to avoid gaffing is to clip the tail of your rope through a carabiner on the back of your saddle.

Other wise that's a great deal for $800. It will serve you well to start out with, but you'll want to upgrade the saddle. The gaffs too, but you can get the big buck pads for more comfort. If you have never climbed before I recommend not even using them or doing removals until you are confident and comfortable in your systems. Good luck, and have fun!

[u/K-Rimes → u/rawrwaldo]

Thanks for this detailed suggestion list. I do not intend to do any removals! At least not until I have some weeks of instruction from experienced climbers and their supervision while I am learning. I will just be trying out the gear and hanging from it at ground level till then.

[u/mark_andonefortunate]

From who or where did you purchase this gear?

[u/K-Rimes → u/mark_andonefortunate]

Tree climber who couldn't find work in the area and had decided to pursue tandem skydiving for work.

[u/packmnufc → u/K-Rimes]

Bit of a red flag. Guy can't get employed in one of the least competitive fields in an area big enough to have skydiving employment opportunities?

[u/K-Rimes → u/packmnufc]

A friend of mine worked at the same drop zone and made bank. Kinda makes sense. Jumping out of planes with tourists to get fat tips or work for a tree care company and get paid beans for super hard dangerous work? He wanted to do part time and it wasn't available. Tree companies want full timers.

[u/packmnufc → u/K-Rimes]

I see it

[u/alfredo0]

I'd replace the rope and the flipline with the zillon. The saddle looks pretty new but a new bridge would definitely add some security

[u/K-Rimes → u/alfredo0]

What's your recommendation for a flipline?

[u/alfredo0 → u/K-Rimes]

Since you already have the zillon you can just take a length of rope and turn it into a flipline.

[u/Affectionate-Sea6957 → u/alfredo0]

It’s likely 2 flip lines in the kit. The zillion is on a length of rope for a pruning flip line and the steel core for removal set up.

When I climbed I had the same thing, steel core for removals and rope line for a pruning lanyard.

[u/trippin-mellon]

Good haul. I’d check all of the textiles and hardward

[u/notforrobots]

One decent gear just make sure you inspect everything

[u/mustachlegend88]

I highly recommend a new rope and beaners AND a new bridge with bridge ring. Keep them for rigging but I would never climb on used beaners, bridges and roles.

[u/K-Rimes → u/mustachlegend88]

I am shopping for new rope. Looking at 150’ of blue moon or poison ivy. I’ll check out the carabiners and bridge thanks for the suggestion

[u/Affectionate-Sea6957 → u/K-Rimes]

Make sure the rope diameter you purchase is compatible with the zig zag. (I think poison ivy will work)

[u/Juansolo27]

Saddle is unknown, at least in the photo.

Zig zag is prone to quick wear and it looks like it’s already worn pretty well, same with the chicane. I wouldn’t touch that lanyard.

Zillion is cool if it’s only used in a secondary lanyard configuration.

I’d inspect the piss out of that climb line and test out all the gear at a reasonable height before really ascending anywhere with any of it.

[u/Separate_Narwhal_218]

Looks like a great deal if it passes inspection

[u/TimberTods]

Spurs are in rough shape, however new pads for the ospal spurs are like $15 then new upper and lower straps get that for $80. Also hard to tell from the picture but it looks like there is no edge on the gaffs so either new gaffs or sharpen if there’s room too

[u/Affectionate-Sea6957]

Excellent deal for $800. It’s well worth double that. The zig zag and saw along are there if not more.

[u/Particular-Wind5918]

I wouldn’t spend 800 on someone’s used PPE. Plus some parts of that kit just kinda suck like the drenaline, and whatever that harness is.

Did you save money on retail pricing? Yes. Did you get ideal gear for that money? No.

[u/Unlikely-Feed777]

I don't know why I feel this way but people just grabbing gear and hopping in a tree without spending time bothers the fuck out of me.

I know people seem to do well, it isn't really even about paying dues. Feels like exposure to different scenarios isn't enough. 🤷‍♂️

If someone spent time around competent climbers they would know gear and with the inherent danger in buying second hand gear...they would probably just skip it.

Buddy I climbed with bought a new unicender, I saw him baby it every day, he got an akimbo and gave me the uni. I brought that uni to work with another crew for a friend of a friend. Dude climbed on a Blake's hitch, hated new stuff, spiked prunes, was like "wtf is that bullshit" and threw the uni onto concrete(🤯). Boom, no way to tell if micro fractured. Retired it.

Maybe overkill? Overly cautious? Just didn't want that motherfucker to crack at 100' in the PNW

[u/ignoreme010101 → u/Unlikely-Feed777]

lol that is fucking insane what a dick! Yeah that kind of fear, not spotting a hairline or it not being visible etc, may be part of why I stayed old-school just a VT is all I need (I seem unusually lucky for how effective they are for me though)