Rent Ropes and Harnesses

[posielski]

Does anybody know where I could rent ropes and harnesses to climb Mt. Rainier?

[ScaredSilly]

To my knowledge no one will rent ropes or harnesses as they are soft goods and it is not possible to insure their reliability. Guide services supply these for their clients but then again they are responsible for pretty much everything.

[mattp]

I might actually lend ropes and harness to somebody for a climb on Rainier, thinking that there is zero chance that anything that goes wrong would be due to the equipment.

 

Would that be, in any way, encouraging somebody like the original poster to take risks or something like that? Clearly, any of us who have climbed very much or even those of us who have not climbed very much but have practiced crevasse rescue know how, particularly in a small party, a "simple" crevasse fall where nobody gets hurt could easily result in fatality. Similarly, anybody with an ounce of common sense or a scintilla of snow climbing experience knows that simply roping up does not insure safety on steep snow or ice slopes.

 

But, why would companies rent boots but not ropes for a climb of Mt. Rainier? Has a rope ever broken on a glacier climb? Is there anyone who thinks that it would be any kind of possibility?

[genepires]

one can buy a harness (alpine bod is about $30 I believe) for really cheaper, cheaper than renting.

[ScaredSilly]

But, why would companies rent boots but not ropes for a climb of Mt. Rainier? Has a rope ever broken on a glacier climb? Is there anyone who thinks that it would be any kind of possibility?

 

Because one can inspect boots, crampons, tents, etc. pretty easily. But a rope is more difficult. Sure can see gross wear and tear but it is the unseen that is more difficult.