If you have Yates screamers bought new in 1999, used only a few times, never fallen on, stored in plastic gear bin in stable temp for many years, still look and feel new, would you still use them for ice climbing now? Or personally would you retire them?

Good to go. I would have no problem falling on that.

pinscar wrote:Good to go. I would have no problem falling on that.

+1

DudeThatMustHurt wrote:

pinscar wrote:Good to go. I would have no problem falling on that.

+1

+1000, no question in my mind they would be fine.

Ten year old nylon? Retire the thing.

Sierra Ledge Rat wrote:Ten year old nylon? Retire the thing.

So much misinformation ... so little bandwidth.

I'd ask Yates (www.yatesgear.com) what they think. Modern nylon supposedly doesn't degrade over time that much unless exposed to things like UV and wear.

Anyhow, a screamer costs, what, $15-20 at most ?

pinscar wrote:

Sierra Ledge Rat wrote:Ten year old nylon? Retire the thing.

So much misinformation ... so little bandwidth.

Whenever this question comes up I always relate back to the usage table Mammut recommends for it's ropes and harnesses:

Frequency of User : Approximate Life Span

Never used: 10 years maximum
Rarely used: twice per year: up to 7 years
Occasionally used: once per month: up to 5 years
Regularly used: several times per month: up to 3 years
Frequently used: each week: up to 1 year
Constantly used: almost daily: less than 1 year


http://www.mammut.ch/en/ropes_handling_lifespan.html

Of course this is for gear that will feel loads over the course of using - hanging from harnesses, rappelling with rope, etc. The screamer, even if used, shouldn't get any "action" unless you fall on it. But they are all nylon materials and Mammut's conservative estimate is 10 years for unused items - and let's keep in mind they are probably being at least 20% conservative with that estimate.

It is probably fine to use but ultimately it's up to you.