Crash pad stashing tactics

How do you keep your pads from getting decimated by rodents, turning into a giant wet sponge, or otherwise destroyed when stashing them outside? 

Edit: I can't be convinced not to stash pads, so spare me the proselytizing. 

SECRET 

Dirtbag Beta wrote:

How do you keep your pads from getting decimated by rodents, turning into a giant wet sponge, or otherwise destroyed when stashing them outside? 

I take them home and put them inside.

Dirtbag Beta wrote:

How do you keep your pads from getting decimated by rodents, turning into a giant wet sponge, or otherwise destroyed when stashing them outside? 

Are you really that fucking lazy? You don't stash them. You carry them out with you *every time*. If not, they're considered abandoned trash.

Marc801 C wrote:

Are you really that fucking lazy? You don't stash them. You carry them out with you *every time*. If not, they're considered abandoned trash.

I think you misunderstood me Marc... I don't want these pads to become abandoned trash, that's why I'm asking for advice.

And yes, I really am that fucking lazy. 

Sometimes I stash my pad under a rock or something briefly so I can go scramble the nearby formations, and sometimes I just leave it laying out open so people assume I'm around. And I am always around, watching like a hawk perched in the crevasses high above, ready to swoop down on and assail any would be pad snatchers. Just so you know.

Fixed pads exist. 

At the gym. 

Daniel Shively wrote:

Do you apply your “rules” consistently to all climbing situations? Are project draws or fixed ropes used when working an FA abandoned trash too? 

False equivalence.

Nice!  Where you stashing them?  I’ll stop by and check out your hiding technique and give you my critique 

Dirtbag Beta wrote:

How do you keep your pads from getting decimated by rodents, turning into a giant wet sponge, or otherwise destroyed when stashing them outside? 

Edit: I can't be convinced not to stash pads, so spare me the proselytizing. 

The best way- pack out your pad when done climbing.

If that wont convince you to not stash your pad then you just have to deal with your pad getting destroyed.

Your choice.  

I’m kind of new at this game and wonder what is fair game out there.

Your curiosity seems worth a more dignified response than you've gotten. 

Generally speaking, pad stashing is a convenience for alpine areas where the landings are dangerous without a large number of pads and the hikes are relatively long. What is "fair game" would probably be a point of contention in any community but especially around alpine zones. 

You'll probably find most people have never stashed or even seriously thought about stashing a pad. However in alpine areas I'd guess that while many haven't personally stashed them but regularly use stashed or abandoned pads. There will be some who are thoughtful and discreet with their methods of stashing for projects, such as using a homemade pepper spray to discourage rodents from chewing on them, selecting dry and elevated areas to keep moisture and rodents away from them, and hiking them out when they are done with their project. But despite however many of the thoughtful people there are, this is a "a few bad apples spoil the barrel" situations. 

Popular areas accumulate abandoned pads that are tattered by years of neglect and abuse, often chewed away by some unfortunate animals that probably got sick or died if they actually injested the foam. The pads were likely on their last legs in the first place; you're generally not coming across fresh Organic Big Pads up there. As such, stashing is a point of contention among climbers and rangers at areas like RMNP and Mount Blue Sky. The guidebook author for these areas is pretty explicit that pad stashing is at the least not allowed, and that the logistics and fitness necessary to get a stack of pads back to your project is just part of the adventure and process for backcountry and alpine bouldering. 

I live in New England where pad stashing is quite rare to the point that it is a bit surprising to ever come across them. So I don't want to speak out of hand about what the prevailing opinion is for alpine areas in places like Colorado and California. Personally if I lived in these spots I'd defer to the guidebook author's opinion above. In my one visit to Colorado we did use abandoned pads though I felt they spoiled the beauty and character of the mountains.

Dirtbag Beta wrote:

How do you keep your pads from getting decimated by rodents, turning into a giant wet sponge, or otherwise destroyed when stashing them outside? 

Edit: I can't be convinced not to stash pads, so spare me the proselytizing. 

...then what would PERSUADE you?

Daniel Shively wrote:

Nope. These are all common practices used by climbers to avoid carrying their gear repeatedly to the same spot. When climbers stash ropes at areas they frequently visit, do you consider those ropes to be abandoned trash? It seems logical that anything left stashed on public land could be considered trash, or its all sort of a gray area issue and don’t get worked up over it, and I have done it all before too. It’s not that big of a deal and not really worth calling people lazy over.

Are you unanimous in that?

Daniel Shively wrote:

Nope. These are all common practices used by climbers to avoid carrying their gear repeatedly to the same spot. When climbers stash ropes at areas they frequently visit, do you consider those ropes to be abandoned trash? It seems logical that anything left stashed on public land could be considered trash, or its all sort of a gray area issue and don’t get worked up over it, and I have done it all before too. It’s not that big of a deal and not really worth calling people lazy over.

It depends on the area.

Some areas consider stashed gear and left draws detritus and will be removed.

Some don’t.

Nol H wrote:

Your curiosity seems worth a more dignified response than you've gotten. 

Generally speaking, pad stashing is a convenience for alpine areas where the landings are dangerous without a large number of pads and the hikes are relatively long. What is "fair game" would probably be a point of contention in any community but especially around alpine zones. 

You'll probably find most people have never stashed or even seriously thought about stashing a pad. However in alpine areas I'd guess that while many haven't personally stashed them but regularly use stashed or abandoned pads. There will be some who are thoughtful and discreet with their methods of stashing for projects, such as using a homemade pepper spray to discourage rodents from chewing on them, selecting dry and elevated areas to keep moisture and rodents away from them, and hiking them out when they are done with their project. But despite however many of the thoughtful people there are, this is a "a few bad apples spoil the barrel" situations. 

Popular areas accumulate abandoned pads that are tattered by years of neglect and abuse, often chewed away by some unfortunate animals that probably got sick or died if they actually injested the foam. The pads were likely on their last legs in the first place; you're generally not coming across fresh Organic Big Pads up there. As such, stashing is a point of contention among climbers and rangers at areas like RMNP and Mount Blue Sky. The guidebook author for these areas is pretty explicit that pad stashing is at the least not allowed, and that the logistics and fitness necessary to get a stack of pads back to your project is just part of the adventure and process for backcountry and alpine bouldering. 

I live in New England where pad stashing is quite rare to the point that it is a bit surprising to ever come across them. So I don't want to speak out of hand about what the prevailing opinion is for alpine areas in places like Colorado and California. Personally if I lived in these spots I'd defer to the guidebook author's opinion above. In my one visit to Colorado we did use abandoned pads though I felt they spoiled the beauty and character of the mountains.

Thanks for your thoughtful and nuanced answer. 

I have personally hiked out a waterlogged, rodent chewed, and abandoned crash pad from an alpine zone.  I was disgusted that someone would be so be so disrespectful and irresponsible. I'm seeking advice so, should I decide to stay a pad, I can do so respectfully and responsibly. 

So we have:

1. Homemade rodent deterrent
2. Elevated/dry area
3. Hidden 

Any other tips? 

Wrap them in tarps? Contractor bags? Spray them with Nikwax?

If you are so entitled that you think its totally cool to disrupt animal habitats in order to avoid physical labor, I suggest going to Vail resorts

Daniel Shively wrote:

It’s weird that as an alternative to disrupting animal habitats, you suggest patronizing a resort that was created by disrupting and actually destroying vast swaths of animal habitat. 

You keep attacking other posters. Stashing pads outside is lazy at best and super shitty at its worst. Do your shitty thing if thats how you do, just stop being shitty towards people because youre butthurt people think it's shitty.

Daniel Shively wrote:

It’s weird that as an alternative to disrupting animal habitats, you suggest patronizing a resort that was created by disrupting and actually destroying vast swaths of animal habitat. 

Whoosh.  

I suspect it wouldn’t reduce the overall vitriol, but maybe try the bouldering forum if you’re looking for additional perspective on the topic?

People are flamers. There isn’t really a good way without having a way to suspend the pads in shelter and not draw attention. Mice will eventually always win if you store stuff on the ground.

People are once again way overreacting.

If something is the social norm, you can probably get away with doing it.

There are plenty of reasonable reasons to stash gear. If you’re going back the next day, if you are bringing hardware. Is it lazy? Sure. But 99% of the people at the crag never do any skilled maintenance to their climbing area. Are they lazy? Sure!

Dirtbag Beta wrote:

Thanks for your thoughtful and nuanced answer. 

I have personally hiked out a waterlogged, rodent chewed, and abandoned crash pad from an alpine zone.  I was disgusted that someone would be so be so disrespectful and irresponsible. I'm seeking advice so, should I decide to stay a pad, I can do so respectfully and responsibly. 

So we have:

1. Homemade rodent deterrent
2. Elevated/dry area
3. Hidden 

Any other tips? 

Wrap them in tarps? Contractor bags? Spray them with Nikwax?

Take them with you when you leave.

Has the best possibility of not getting your pad chewed in or waterlogged.

It’s not a zero chance though.  I don’t know if you like to chew on things or have a weak bladder.

Good luck.