Can I have my gear back?

To the folks that took my rope and CMI ascenders from the base of Buena Vista Wall in BCC:

The rope is at least 10 years old and has been in the direct sun for well over a 100 days. The ascenders are about 25 years old, they've been dropped over 300 feet, and the teeth are worn down. That gear is dangerous, especially for inexperienced folks like you that actually thought it was worth taking when you found it. I would really appreciate it if you would return it. Although not useful for climbing, it is adequate for cleaning first ascents, with a few precautions that you likely have not yet learned.

By the way, getting in the habit of stealing gear at the base of crags can be very hazardous. Vigilante justice is a long and hallowed tradition of old tradsters like me and a bunch of young ones too.

Please, let's just chalk this up as a learning experience, and drop my gear off at IME, next to REI and Mill Creek Momentum. You can have a friend do it who is not a climber. Just have them tell whomever is behind the counter that it belongs to “John,” and I’ll check in every once and awhile. No worries, and no bad karma.

John Steiger wrote:Although not useful for climbing, it is adequate for cleaning first ascents, with a few precautions that you likely have not yet learned.

mpech wrote: I can imagine the precautions one would use for super-worn out ascenders-- I can't imagine what the precautions would be for a sunbleached rope....

The outdoor industry is expanding and the mouthpieces are calling for more people to "head outside and enjoy the outdoors."

At the same time, we're witnessing crowding, increased litter, graffiti, and theft.

There's a reason we escape to the mountains. I wish society wasn't so screwed up.

Sorry to hear about this. Hope you recover your gear!

Yer so old and senile you probably left that gear at some other crag. And if you didn't the thief probably saved yer life. Those ascenders are at least 35 not 25 years old and are as toothless as my old cat. Neither of which can be trusted. As for that rope, if it is the one I am thinking about, it is so old and worn out from hang dogging, being stepped on, pissed on, not to mention rock trundling damage that I would not use it as a dog leash. HAHAHAHA

John, I have piles of ropes better than that one that are just looking for something to do. PM me and I'll bring you a few. Just string them up wherever you like. Have extra ascenders also, just as old but they had dental.

Bummer about the gear John. Hope the punks don't kill themselves using it.

Charlie S wrote:The outdoor industry is expanding and the mouthpieces are calling for more people to "head outside and enjoy the outdoors." At the same time, we're witnessing crowding, increased litter, graffiti, and theft. There's a reason we escape to the mountains. I wish society wasn't so screwed up. Sorry to hear about this. Hope you recover your gear!

Thanks for the support guys. Yeah, Allen, senility likely is upon me; maybe it'll make the perps feel double guilty (you know, stealing from an old man...). DD, thanks for the kind offer, I'll give it a few weeks and may be taking you up on it.

John, I've been carrying one of your cams for a while but haven't found you at Momentum. I'll just leave it at IME for you.

I would give it back....
but the rope snapped getting my truck out of the ditch, and your old forged ascenders cracked rattling around in the back of my truck.

Now that I've had my fun... I got an old pile of ropes you can grab from. I'd give you my ascenders but I'm not sure you would be accustom to how lightweight they are now. :)