I Plead Guilty...

I plead guilty to temporary insanity when I allowed myself to splurge on equipment. Let me explain further.

The only sport I ever admitted to liking is wall climbing which I did on and off since 2004. It was when I posted my experience via this site that Ainna got excited to join me. Luckily, she got hooked and we scaled the walls of either Planet Rock (at CSA in Dasma) or Play Underground (at the 3rd Level Basement of Rockwell), when we're not doing real rock faces, weekly since July 2005. From then to now, we planned on getting our own gear for the sport. Problem is, it's hard to look for them in the Philippines. You have to either go to Hong Kong or Singapore to have a variety in gear options coupled with cheap tags.

Having the time to go around this holiday season, I went to Toby's in Glorietta and inquired on the rates they charge to customers who'd want to try out their wall (yes, they now have a scalable wall inside the store). It's cheap, at P30, but they do not have chalk so my sweaty palms would not last me long. While there, I asked if they sell any climbing shoes. They don't. The kindly attendant, however, told me to try out Bombproof Gear in Robinson's Galeria or Conquer in Robinson's Pioneer. Having little time left before all the stores close for new year's eve, I went to my closest option. So off to Pioneer I went.

They have a few Black Diamond harness in S M and L sizes at P2,900 for the padded waist model. I tried it on and hung over a wall to see if it felt nice. They also had Mammut brand climbing shoes in my size but verifying the model vis a vis its cost with Maman (pro-climber from Play Underground) proved it to be a ripoff since it's only a lace-up model with a P5k price tag. He said you could already get its more superior velcro-strapped counterpart at the same, if not cheaper, cost. I was itching to take home the harness but I did not have cash that time and the store does not accept credit cards. I tried to withdraw cash but the machine was offline. I only had enough for a chalkbag and Petzl belt so I went and bought those instead, leaving the attendant a promise that I'd get the harness the next day.

I pondered on the would-be investment when I got home. If I'm to get the gear, why not go for the best. If the price is somewhat comparable, I'd go for a Petzl. Now if only I could find new models locally.

I remember Habagat in SM Megamall used to have some harness so I decided to check their stocks out. Right enough, they do have Petzl harnesses but they only have one size for each model. I asked the attendant the difference between those they had on display to which he asked back where I'd be using them. After I told him I just do walls, he pointed to a lone model that's not so eye-catching. It's the second cheapest in their inventory at P4k. I tried it on and it fit well. Now, the thing about harnesses and shoes is it doesn't really matter what brand you get just as long as they fit and feel right. This one did. It's the Tetrax model and it's one of the latest offerings from Petzl (you may already know how much of a sucker I am when it comes to latest offerings). It is light-weight, has padded waist-belt, and has fully adjustable leg straps. It also has those loops for carabiners should I later want to go to the extremes of trying lead-climbing.

It has been an expensive weekend, all in the name of one great extreme sport. Now, if only I could go to Hong Kong soon and get my hands on some great shoes.

posted by Fritz @ 10:19 PM