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Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

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Beginners Trad rack recommendations? 29-Jan-2013 At 1:34:49 PM BBSR

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If you are intending on climbing easier climbs in the blueys (like me) , it is worth putting some emphasis on larger gear. A lot of the easier climbs in the Blue Mountains tend to follow biggish cracks, which require biggish gear. Not to mention that in soft sandstone, your bigger gear is probably the stuff that will hold. I found a big difference in the gear needed when I moved here from NZ.

I suggest getting bigger than a number 3 C4. I get a fair a mount of use from my #4. I have C4s 0.4 - 5, and couple C3 cams. 1 & 2?. I'm never sure if the C3s are going to be any good in the sandstone, so they might not be key.

Definitely get some hexes, as these give you a 2nd piece of gear in a given size. I don't have a 2nd set of cams, although I am often with other people I can borrow from if needed (which does come up). I don't find much use from my smallest hex (wild country yellow one).

I often take a gold link cam with me, which means I can use my gold, red or green C4, without worrying too much about not having something in that size later. It is a bit of a compromise, but I think it works out well.

As for small gear, like peanuts, or RPs. Get these for climbing in Araps or something, they aren't much use in the blueys. I have a set and a half of wires, and that is usually plenty. 1 Set would probably do for most climbs.

Don't forget some of the less exciting gear, that trad tends to need.
-Cordelette (I like 7mm nylon cord)
-Long slings, Extendable Draws.
-Quickdraws that have carrot bolt suitable biners, and aren't super short.
-Carrot Hangers (not unusual to come across a bolt on the climb, or a couple at the top)
-Bunch of locking biners for anchors etc