So, there I was, nearing the end of the splitter finger crack on Walt-Bailey. I was cruxing out a little bit, because... well, because I don't think I have ever climbed a finger crack before this. Anyway, I reach down to grab my trusty yellow master cam, which just happens to be my single favorite piece of gear. I'm not sure why. It just is. So, I reach down, unclip the piece from my left front gear loop and go to place it, but it suddenly jerks to a halt. What the fudge?! I look down and the end of my leg loop strap has threaded through my wire-gate and has locked in like a fish hook. Because of my burning desire to get some gear in I let it go and popped in another piece. I managed to climb through to a stance and looked down for my little yellow buddy and he was nowhere to be seen. Needless to say, I was heartbroken. I had lost my baby. Both pretty pricy and extremely frustrating at the same time.

Watch out for this! I'm thinking of taping down the little kerjigger on the loops, or just buying a harness with fixed or double-back leg loops. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

The fish hook. Submitted By: Chase Roskos on Aug 23, 2011

Uh oh! Submitted By: Chase Roskos on Aug 23, 2011

not sure what speed buckles have to do with that. climbing gear gets hooked on stuff all the time, biners clip belt loops, pockets or other biners.

One could also make the argument that this is why wire-gates stink, but that won't fly. This kind of stuff happens, sorry about your 'baby'.

Ah, yes. I've noticed that ends of double-back leg loops don't have the folded part at the end. And yes, there are plenty of other things to get caught on too.

Duct tape. Slow down those speed buckles.

Thank you for not posting a picture of what happened while wearing your harness with your shirt off...

I can't unsee that picture :(