This conversation is giving me a glimmer of hope. Can I get out this winter without spending hella money?
I'm back from a ten year hiatus from climbing and want to head up to the mountains, winter and summer, and feel f'ing overwhelmed by the price point of entry. I got no winter boots, crampons, axes, poles, rack, down. I do have a TNF Convert or whatever it's called someone gave me for my birthday, and a pair of Patagonia Guide pants, which means I'm a yuppie already and I barely came back. Got a 15 year old Lowe Alpine snowpeak that seems like it'll last 15 more years, but not the most comfortable thing.
If it's so easy to not be duped into spending useless money, some practical advice: what do I get? Somehow, asking my homie on the corner for his puffy coat for the weekend just doesn't seem like it will cut it, quality-wise. But any suggestions would be appreciated.
And I climb 5.10, bitches!!! (5.10a/b that is, but fuck it) So no hating!