Should i buy this gear?

Question

i found this guy on craigslist who is a search and rescue man. he is selling new rope and biners, etc. but these are technically for rappelling. who this gear be good for top roping and possibly trad and sport. i only wanted opinions from people who sorta know what their talking about

Answer 1

I would not buy carabiners or a rope from an unknown source.

You do not know the history of these (even though he says they are new, they might not be).  have they had a fall?  Dropped?  

Your life is dependent on this equipment.  Buy it new or gte it from someone you know and trust that knows the history of what you are buying.

Answer 2

I personally wouldn't buy rope (new or otherwise) from anyone I didn't know or who wasn't an authorized dealer - rope damage can be hidded (chemical damage) even when a rope looks new.

Ropes for rescue are often "static" ropes which have high strength and very little stretch - these will work for top rope but CANNOT be used for lead climbing. They don't stretch and will break your body if you fall any distance on to it - you need a "dynamic" rope for leading.

Carabiners for rescue are often steel which will also work for top rope climbing but are normally too heavy for lead climbing - either trad or sport. And again - it isn't a good idea to be buying biners from someone you don't trust. Please climb safe and know your gear is trustworthy - your life isn't worth saving a few dollars.

Good Luck

Answer 3

biners are biners, rope is rope.

there is no specific rope for rappelling, no specific carabiners..

You're good to go.

Answer 4

Rope isn't just rope. You have to make sure the rope he was using was either static or dynamic. If it's static, ie. typical rappelling rope, you don't want to climb on it. You need to check how dynamic it is, what its thickness is, and the type of fabric used in the ropes manufacturing.

On the biners, if they are quickdraws make sure to check what type of gate they have, and if they were made by omega pacific, I wouldn't buy them. They have a history of flaws and recals. If you are using them to belay, make sure they are locking gates...open gates can be used on quickdraws but you do no want to belay off them. Also open gates are good for setting anchors, but be sure to set them opposing each other...

That's all I got for you without seeing the rope and biners myself.

Answer 5

Rule of thumb for buying climbing gear.

Never buy used &/or from someone I dont know.

Now if a friend of yours bought a bunch of gear and said "oops I will never use all of these carabiners, do you want a few?" Since stores do not accept returned climbing gear, then it might be ok.

Remember, that you will be trusting your life to the gear you buy. Be ware of any "too good to be true" situations... they likely are and you will be paying the price with your life.