Now I see kits going at £200+ which, seems very steep to me! I'm going to aim for something similar to this here..
http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/sr ... ndard.html
I have quickly planned what kit I would buy, and its roughly equivalent - however using better ascenders and more tactical looking equipment along with a chest harness. I like the look of it more and its only £2 more at £217. Additionally, by buying the kit separately I can afford to space the purchases out if needs to be, and I also have a better understanding about the kit I'm getting.
Then for £50 I'll purchase 40m of 10mm rope - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN60414£24 - Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN31040
I was going to get a more expensive Petzl harness (£40) that was apparently very good for walking in - however I noticed this cheaper, but also looking lightweight enough to be stored in a bag and used when needed. I need to carry this around so lightweight kit is the way forward. Its also black, no frills and tactical.
£6 (x2) Maillon Rapide 10mm - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN31351
"basically industrial chainlinks" - Meant to be very strong when compared to krabs of similar dimensions. These were bundled in with the kit above, so I've included them.
£33 (x2) - Petzl Ascension Ascender - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN57216
These are better than the ones bundled in with the kits on the above website - which appear to be quite basic ascenders. It's more expensive than one, but cheaper than the other - so roughly evens out. From what I gather its a more comfortable one to use as well, which may be of importance on cold nights!
£28 - Petzl Voltige Chest Harness - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN31262
The kit only throws in a "Chest Strap"; however I've put a Chest Harness in for comfort as well as it looks safer. Also, the colouring appears more tactical than the yellow chest strap.
£3 - Maillon Long 7mm - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN31347
Another Maillon karabiner - this one is bundled into the kit for attaching the foot loop to the ascender; so I've thrown one in too.
£40 - Petzl Stop (Black) - http://www.arboristequipment.co.uk/shop ... -p-55.html
This is about 2/3 of the usual price of a petzl stop - so I have changed supplier for this bit. This is the descender, and its one of the most popular models I have heard of. I hope to purchase the black version!
£11 (x2) - DMM Phantom Screwgate - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN60393
More 'krabs.
£8 - DMM Phantom - http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN30099
Plaingate version of the above.
£8 - 2.75m x 10mm Dynamic Rope for Cows Tails
£6 - 4m of 9mm Semi-Static Rope for Footloop and Safety Cord
http://www.hitchnhike.co.uk/acatalog/ca ... tails.html
Should be enough to get me started. I plan to start off of trees, some abandoned buildings I know, and then start training off of a bridge. As I say, I have NO money right now but this will be the first thing I get if I manage to sort some work out.
If I manage it, I'll write a training plan up - post it on here and log my progress!
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If I wasn't so keen on safety I'd be doing this..
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/sho ... ostcount=9
how ever only good for rappel if you plan to go back up the rope using the single rope technique you don't want a dynamic rope you will want a static/rescue one. dynamic will bounce severely slowing progress while climbing static wont bounce and is good for rappel and ascending