3.5 Camalot-- super or superfluous?

[Matt]

Lately I've been climbing with a lot of partners who have the 3.5 Black Diamond Camalot on their rack. I used to think it was just an addition to the BD line-up to get people like me who already have the #3 and #4 to buy something new-- new sizes equal better sales. I thought since my 3 and 4 overlap, why bother getting a 3.5?

 

Now I'm starting to think this is the perfect size to carry. For example, last Friday I climbed Them at the Wall of 10,000 Insects at Index. The 3.5 was perfect. Same goes for the first pitch of Japanese Gardens. Same goes for Battered Sandwich-- a friendly offwidth in Private Idaho at Index. I hear on the Nose on El Cap the 3.5 and the 4.5 protect what would be tipped out #3 and #4 offwidths.

 

What do you all think? Is the 3.5 super or superfluous?

[Cpt.Caveman]

I have climbed those 2 routes without a 3.5

 

[ 06-24-2002, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: Cpt.Caveman ]

[DPS]

I find the 3.5 to be a very usefull size.

[Matt]

Caveman--

 

I have climbed Jap Gardens w/o a 3.5-- it is certainly not necessary. I would also recommend a newby building a rack to get the 3 and 4 before they got the 3.5. What I'm asking is, is it worth the weight and expense?

[Cpt.Caveman]

I have never owned and used a 3.5 how is that for your answer.

[Dru]

it depends on the route... going alpine if you take the 3.5 instead of the 4 you might save some weight on certain routes.