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Equipment (renting and buying)
page last modified: Friday September 26, 2008Please read our gear rental policy before borrowing our gear. It explains what happens if you should lose or break the gear. All the gear is use-at-your-own risk. The club loans gear indiscriminantly, and it is up to the borrower to determine whether they can use the gear safely.
Club-owned Gear
We continue to add new gear all the time, with major recent purchases in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In addition to many new guide books (see the library page), we have the following equipment, which is all stored at the Caltech Y except where indicated. To rent, go to the Caltech Y when they're open (M-F 9-5, but show up before 4:30 PM). All of our gear is free to rent.Click the picture to see a full-size image.
In summer 2007, Professor G. W. "Mac" Pigman donated the following gear the club (to borrow it, email alpine): 3 bolt hangers with 3/8" nuts, one StarTECH CAMP helmet, a pair of size 6 or 7 women's Mythos climbing shoes, a collapsible yellow water bucket, a BD chalkbag with chalk, a 10.5mm 50m rope, 2 spectra cordelettes, a rope bag, 2 nut tools, 1 long daisy chain, some cord and short webbing, 1 pair hand jammies, 5 long 1" nylon webbing strands from 20' to 50', 5 metolius quickdraws, about a dozen 'biners, BD Camalots sizes .5, .75, 1, 2 and 3, 17 BD nuts of different sizes, 8 tricams of different sizes, 3 BD hexes, a metolius gear sling with 2 loops, and metolius cams sizes 5, 6, 6, 7 and 8.
Like all the gear we loan, this come with NO WARRANTY and the gear is use-at-your-own-risk. The club makes no attempt to screen borrowers based on experience or skill: anyone may borrow gear.
One pair bent-shaft Black Diamond Shrike ice tools. These are an older model of ice tools, but work for steep ice and can take abuse. Please sharpen the pick after you climb with these! To borrow, email alpine.
One Black Diamond Flicklock Snow Saw, for digging avalanche pits (or for excavating snow caves, building snow walls or igloos, etc.).
One BCA Slope Meter, for avalanche safety. Because this is a small item and easily lost, we're not storing it at the Caltech Y. Instead, email alpine if you'd like to borrow it.
Two BCA "Traverse EXT" shovels, suitable for avalanche rescue and shelter-building. Metal, with extendable handle. Pretty good for its weight.
Update! March 2007, we now have three of these shovels
Two Life-link "Speed Light" avalanche probes, 196 cm, no cm markings. A basic, lightweight emegergency probe for avalanche rescue and snowpits.
Update! Feb 2008, purchase another probe, the Black Diamond QuickDraw Super Tour, 265 cm
One pair of Motorola Talkabout SX700R Two-Way Radios with rechargeable NiMH battery packs. These can transmit on both the .5 watt FRS frequencies and the 2 watt GMRS frequencies, as well as NOAA weather channels. Please read the instructions that come with them. Here is the user guide in PDF form. Update! March 2007, purchase another pair of these radios.
Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons, three pairs. This is a lightweight, cheap all-purpose crampon. They only have 10 points and are not very good at all for ice climbing, but they're fine for steep snow and they are strap-on so they fit any boot.
Black Diamond Raven Ice axes, three (one in 70 cm, two in 65 cm). These are very good modern ice axes. I have attached light-weight leashes, which are meant to prevent the climber from dropping the axe, not to support weight. Not designed for ice.
We have one 70 cm model Black Diamond Raven Pro, a lighter weight version of the Raven.
We also have three blue ultra light-weight short ice axes (by Charlet Moser -- probably a forerunner of Petzl's Cosmique Light) from the 1990s. They have shorter picks and are not as nice for self-arrest, but are quite light. You need to use your own leash.
Backcountry Access "Tracker". These are modern avalanche beacons/transceivers, made by Backcountry Access. The Backcountry Access website has a wealth of information on rescue techniques, including beacon, probe and shovel technique. As of December 2006, we have 4 units. These are expensive (~$300 each) so please treat them nicely. Available at the Caltech Y. Please read the instructions and make sure the batteries are fresh. They do not take rechargeable batteries. The club is not responsible for misuse of these devices.
Three MSR Coyote Snow Pickets, 24" length. A standard aluminum snow picket. Weighs 13 oz.
Update! June 2007, we now also have a 36" picket (which was found on a mountain)
One Garmin eTrex Vista GPS unit, a full-featured GPS. Nice gray scale screen, altimeter, compass, standard GPS features. Like all GPS, the altimeter can be quite inaccurate. Comes with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) for increased accuracy. Gets very poor reception in trees. You can store up to 500 waypoints. Runs on two AA batteries -- make sure the batteries are fresh before you take it on your trip. The unit, along with an instruction manual, is at the Caltech Y. It is recommended that you practice with the unit before you take it in the field. It can take a long time to lock onto a signal. Weights 5.3 oz without the batteries. From the REI site, owners manual and Garmin Guide for Beginners.
National Geographic TOPO! CD-ROM California product, which uses the USGS data set.
Same resolution at 7.5 minute USGS series, but with extra features (shading, trip planning, 3D views, ...) as well as drawbacks (you need a good printer, preferably with large paper).
This is the same dataset as that used by the REI "map machine". The CDs are with the other books in the library at the Caltech Y.
Please return the CDs as soon as you are done using them, since this is a popular item.
First aid kit (put together ourselves; not a "package deal" like the one in the photo). We have a large first-aid kit that we bring with us on large trips. You're welcome to borrow it for private trips (or to borrow bits-and-pieces of it). This is NOT at the Caltech Y. You must email alpine ahead of time if you'd like to borrow this.
Piton hammer, pitons, full set of hexes (thanks to Tom Farr for donating these). These are also NOT at the Caltech Y. Email alpine if you'd like to borrow them.
Eight climbing helmets, blue. Most are large or one-size-fits-all.
One bouldering pad. On the medium to small side.
Sierra Designs Tiros I two-person mountaineering tent (4 season, weighs 6 lbs 15 oz). It's in a red stuff sack in the Y's gear room; you need to ask specifically for it, otherwise you'll get one of the Y's non-mountaineering tents (and they also charge for their rentals; our tent is free).
Snow chains. These are not actually ours (I think) but are the Y's. There are three models, all from SCC. The models are the SZ339, SZ343 and QG1134. You can do an Amazon search on the part numbers to find out what tire sizes they fit. The QG model (Quik Grip) might require chain tighteners, which might not be included!
Other sources of gear
Borrowing
The easiest way to get access to gear is to borrow. Try sending an email to the mailing list or try your friends. I'm happy to lend out a bunch of my gear, and I have a few less common items like snow pickets and wands that might be hard to find elsewhere. Books are an easy thing to lend. Borrowing things like ice screws, cams, 'biners and rope is a delicate situation, and don't ask to borrow these from anyone who doesn't trust you.
Caltech Y
Caltech Y's equipment rental form. They charge a small fee to rent their items. For their location, see their webpage (link at top of page). In 2005/2006, they are located between Chandler and the Ath. Their hours are 9-5 M-F, so rent before the weekend. They also ask that you come before 4:30 PM, since they want to leave at 5. Some of the items they have: tents (2,3,4 and 6 person), sleeping bags and pads, tarps, back packs, bear barrels, large coleman stoves, backpacking stoves, fuel bottles, cook kits, water bottles, and water filters. Some of their gear is pretty decent (i.e. backpacking stoves), and some is a bit out-dated (i.e. backpacks). They also rent out skis and snow shoes for the Da Vinci club (for free!), and they hold some of our gear (e.g. the helmets, ice axes, crampons and bouldering pads, in addition to our library).
UC Riverside Outdoor Excursions
From their equipment manager: "We rent a wide variety of equipment some of which is not carried by Sport Chalet or REI (crampons, ice axes, avalanche probes, snow shovels, snow saw). Our rates are good too. Our students receive the lower rate. We are able to mail some of our rental gear. Please visit our website for details: www.excursions.ucr.edu."
Riverside is not too far out of the way for some destinations East of Pasadena, so this is an option to consider. Here's a direct link to their equipment rental page. They have climbing shoes, bouldering pads, gloves, goggles, snowshoes, poles, snow saws, avalanche probes (not beacons), ice axes (not ice tools), crampons (probably non-rigid is my guess) and gaiters, as well as other camping equipment and water sports equipment.
Rental stores in Lone Pine, Bishop, Mammoth, etc.
Lone Pine - High Sierra Outfitters, (760)876-9994. They are a small shop located on the 397 highway right at the turnoff to Whitney Portal. They are mainly a camping/hunting/fishing store, but they have a few mountaineering items, though not much, so don't rely on them for critical items. They used to rent crampons, but don't anymore due to insurance reasons.
Lone Pine - Elevation, (760)876-4560. A fine store, geared for climbers, but with a limited selection due to its small size. Located at 125 N. Main Street (Highway 395) in Lone Pine, about two blocks North of the stoplight. They rent some gear as well.
Lone Pine - Whitney Portal Store. They are located at the very end of the Whitney Portal road, right at the beginning of the Whitney trail. They are closed in winter, open from May through October. See website for hours. (760)876-0030. Pricey but convenient, and touristy. They also have a nice forum on their website.
Bishop - Wilson's East Side Sports has lots of stuff -- a high quality, full service store with knowledgeable salespeople. They are located at 224 N. Main St., Bishop, CA (760)-873-7520. Their hours: 9am-9am Fri and Sat, 9am-6am Sun. They rent leather boots (1 day: $12.50 2 days: $18.50 3 days: $24.50) and crampons and ice-axes (1 day: $7.50 2 days: $10.50 3 days: $13.50).
Bishop - Sierra Mountain Center, a guiding service. They rent gear for their clients, and might rent in general. Their website has a wealth of information and is recommended as place to get ideas of what to climb; they also offer avalanche courses. 174 West Line St., Bishop, (760)873-8526.
Mammoth - "Mammoth Mountaineering" is a full-service mountaineering and ski shop. 437 Old Mammoth Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA (760)-934-4191. Their hours: 8am-7pm every day. No boot rental. Crampons are $8/day and ice-axes are $5/day.
Please send information on your favorite stores to alpine
REI
REI rents out gear, and the Arcadia store is about 10 minutes from Caltech. They rent camping stoves, tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and and sleeping pads, but they do NOT rent mountaineering gear. They do rent snowshoes, even though the REI website says they don't (update 2007: this REI website correctly says the store rents snowshoes). The only REI in LA that does rent mountaineering gear is the Santa Ana store: REI Santa Ana store (714) 543-4142. They rent rock climbing shoes ($12 first day, $6 per additional day), helmets ($6,$3), strap-on steel crampons ($12,$5) and ice axes ($9,$4). If you are not a member, you pay an additional $10 fee on the first day. They do not include the days you pick up and drop off in the price (assuming you rent for more than one day). The Santa Ana store also rents snowboards and snowshoes, but no skis and no mountaineering boots. Unfortunately, the store is about 39 miles south of Pasadena and not on the way to the Sierras.
New: a list of the gear that the Arcadia REI rents, and the prices. The Arcadia store's website; their phone number is (626) 447-1062.
Sport Chalet
The Sport Chalet has three stores near Pasadena: one in Arcadia, and two in La Canada. See their store finder for directions. They offer their own courses as well (for a price). Here is a general description of their courses. The phone number of their Arcadia store is (626) 446-8955, and the phone number of their La Canada stores is (818) 790-9800.
Information on Sports Chalet Rentals. They rent ski and snowboard equipment, snow shoes, climbing shoes, tents, sleepingn bags, backpacks, stoves, pads, ... Also rent canoes and sea kayaks. Not sure if every location has all of these items. No cross-country ski rentals, nor mountaineering gear.
Adventure 16
Adventure 16 website. Adventure 16 has six SoCal locations, but most are near the coast. The closest store to Pasadena is probably their West LA store at 11161 W. Pico Blvd. (near Sepulveda), (310) 473-4574. They also host some events like slideshows and classes. They do have rentals and a nice website listing what they rent and for how much: Rental Rates. It looks like they rent a small variety of back packs, sleeping bags, tents, large stoves, climbing shoes, snow shoes, bear canisters and trekking poles.
Real Cheap Sports
The offshoot of the Outland Mountain Shop that was near campus until 2005. I think Real Cheap Sports offers discounted gear (factory seconds, etc.), but I'm not sure. They're located at 36 West Santa Clara, Ventura, CA, (805) 648-3803, mountainoutlet.com.
NEPA Climbing Store
This is Evolv's climbing store, located at 1529 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles. Phone is (213)384-8848; store hours are M-F 10:30 to 7:30 and Sat, 10-5. They sell more than just Evolv shoes.
Other local stores
There's a 5.10 outlet store in Redlands, and Nomad Ventures, a climbing store in Joshua Tree (at the intersection of the highway and the main North entrance road) -- they also have locations in Idyllwild and San Diego. Patagonia and the North Face offer nice gear. Patagonia sometimes sponsors slideshows and events, and they co-sponsor events like the Banff film festival. They have a few stores in LA, and one in Pasadena: Patagonia, 47 N. Fair Oaks Ave (on corner of Fair Oaks and Union St.), Pasadena. The North Face. There is a North Face outlet in Beverly Hills: (310) 246-4120.
There is also a sporting goods store in town that has skiing/snowboarding items: Chick's Sporting Goods
For food, the Wild Oats on Lake Ave has dried food in bins (but it's pricey), while a few blocks north of the 210 is Lake Produce Center (752 N. Lake Ave, 794-7531, they close early) that has really cheap dried fruit and a good selection of trail mixes. Also on Lake Ave is the Trader Joes, recommended for their cheese. The Costco in Alhambra has pre-made trail mixes, dried fruit, and everything else you could want, but of course they only sell in bulk.
Other locales
Please send me more information about good stores in popular climbing or skiing destinations (e.g. Bishop, Joshua Tree, Mammoth) or nearby areas (e.g. Bay Area, San Diego, Yosemite). Regarding Mammoth, a word from the previous webmaster: "Do not go to Kitteridge Sports. They are a bunch of crooked asses who always over charge you."
In Seattle, you might try Feathered Friends. They specialize in down products, but also have a knowledgeable staff who can point you in the right direction. From Brian Eck (ex-Seattle resident): "I can't recommend Feathered Friends highly enough. Great selection, great staff, great service." It is located a block away from the main REI flagship store (this REI rents out everything you could need for a trip to the cascades, including ice axes, crampons, plastic boots, though probably not ice tools). There's a Marmot shop in Bellevue (to the East of Seattle). Another Seattle store is Pro Mountain Sports, (206)522-16727.
In Boulder, Colorado, Neptune Mountaineering specializes in mountaineering and skiing, and have an amazing staff. They also run slide-shows and clinics, as well as rent gear and keep updated logs of area first-ascents. In Denver, Wilderness Exchange has some great prices, often on factory seconds.
Places to get your rock shoes re-soled: this in a rough list, but I've heard of The Rubber Room (in Bishop), a place in Joshua Tree, a place in Seattle, and Rock-N-Resole in Boulder, CO.
Misc. Stores and Websites
The links below are taken from advertisements in Climbing Magazine (see also the Gripped, Rock and Ice, Urban Climber and Alpinist magazines). The Caltech Alpine Club does not endorse any of these sites (nor any of the previously mentioned sites). And please let me know if any of these links are bad, or if you have opinions about any of these sites.
Used sites: try MEC.ca's online gear swap, or the "Yard Sale" at cascadeclimbers.com.
Defunct sites: The Perfect High, and Shoreline Mountain Products (it now links to Mountain Gear).
See also REI.com and REI-outlet.com for REI deals, EMS.com (Eastern Mountain Sports, which is similar to REI and located mainly on the East Coast, but also has some stores as far west as Colorado; they have their own brand, just like REI.), Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) which is Canadian, and L.L. Bean, which sells mostly clothes (for reasonable prices). I hear great things about the aforementioned Mountain Equipment Coop, but there are two limitations: 1) you must be a member, and 2) they don't ship to the US. The first problem is solved by buying a life-time membership for about $5. The solution to the second problem is left as an exercise for the reader.