Climbing Equipment needs

[ODB]

Does anyone know where I (and my team) might borrow some climbing gear for the Ozark Challenge? This year they are requiring helmets, straps, locking carabiners and other stuff not listed yet. The race is the second weekend in April.

Joe

[Kirk Fredericks]

The first rule of climbing gear, is NEVER buy used. Your life depends on any single point of failure. A biner dropped on concrete looks just fine till it fails. Unless you have a lot of faith in who you find to borrow from, I'd recommend buying. CMC Rescue, Carton Rescue (Canada) MEC all have good prices. Sports stores with a small climbing section are pricey.
I'm on a fire department rope rescue team, and am somewhat opinionated eh?

[ODB]

In adventure races the climbing is usually a small part and organizers normally provide equipment (including the one I'm training for). I have a few pieces that I have collected over the years but I don't do enough climbing that I've gone out and bought my own set-up. What will wind up happening is that I will have to buy the set up for about a half-hours use and I'm not sure when I will use it again. The race is also considering making us get family band radios for the race - yet, another expense. The entry fee is already $140 per person. The equipment needs could easily double that and this from someone who has tons of gear. I'm wondering if this isn't part of the fall out over the competitor being killed at Primal Quest last year.