Ignorant climber seeks advice for moldy, corroded gear

As a desert and alpine climber transplanted to the Midwest, I missed the memo that gear should be stored in a dark, DRY location - aka, not the unfinished basement of my 100 year old apartment building. Sucks to suck, I guess.

I know the moldy soft goods must be replaced. I’m not sure about the corrosion on all my hard goods - it seems to go below surface rust and corrosion on some pieces but others might be ok, however all pieces have some rust or other corrosion. I wish I could salvage the old EBs, but I think I’ll be forced to commit them to a Viking burial beneath their last climb on the diamond.

What do you think, should I trash this gear or try to save it? How do you recommend cleaning my leather goods? Tips for steel, anodized steel, and aluminum?

Thanks in advance!

Detrick Snyder wrote:

As a desert and alpine climber transplanted to the Midwest, I missed the memo that gear should be stored in a dark, DRY location - aka, not the unfinished basement of my 100 year old apartment building. Sucks to suck, I guess.

I know the moldy soft goods must be replaced. I’m not sure about the corrosion on all my hard goods - it seems to go below surface rust and corrosion on some pieces but others might be ok, however all pieces have some rust or other corrosion. I wish I could salvage the old EBs, but I think I’ll be forced to commit them to a Viking burial beneath their last climb on the diamond.

What do you think, should I trash this gear or try to save it? How do you recommend cleaning my leather goods? Tips for steel, anodized steel, and aluminum?

Thanks in advance!

Another perfectly good 100 year old antique pair of shoes ruined..........the horror......... ;)

PS, I think those are fire's not EBs............

I agree, Fires. EBs had blue uppers. 

If your gear has that much visible corrosion it is junk. The pins for the carabiner gates are probably compromised as are other structural components on the first generation Camalots. 

BTW You might offered up to KP at BD to test. He likes to break things.

+1 on sending stuff to BD to break, for science.

This would never happen at Woodson

YGD™

Addem Bursh wrote:

This would never happen at Woodson

Sure but California would find a way to tax you.  

Spray tax.

All my gear looks like that.

Is there a problem?

:P

Christopher Smith wrote:

YGD™

I like the trademark symbol. Well-done©

John Barritt wrote:

Another perfectly good 100 year old antique pair of shoes ruined..........the horror......... ;)

PS, I think those are fire's not EBs............

Or maybe RD's?  (the Galibier company rock shoe by Rene Desmaison) 

Patrick Corry wrote:

Or maybe RD's?  (the Galibier company rock shoe by Rene Desmaison) 

Definitely feerays.......pretty early generation ones though. 

I would describe you as creative or industrious, Detrick, not ignorant but I will not miss leading on those pieces :)