Fake gear warning
There’s yet another worrying trend appearing, thanks to the wonders of the world wide t’interweb – and that’s the availability of fake climbing gear. Scary stuff, and it was recently featured on the TV programme ‘Fake Britain’.
There are a couple of different aspects. First, there are items for sale on reputable sites including Amazon which state that the kit is fit for climbing even though the technical specifications clearly indicate that it’s not. But how would a relative novice know that? In one such case, Steve Long, an eminent British Mountain Guide and technical author even wrote to Amazon and posted online to warn people. Other incidents have involved some dubious-looking climbing hardware emanating from China. It might be fine – but how would one know?
I would just urge you to be very, very careful when buying climbing gear. Only buy gear made by reputable climbing manufactures, sold through reputable climbing firms and outlets and which meets relevant UIAA standards for climbing gear.
Feel free to ask me before you buy, if it helps save your life.