UKC

Buying climbing gear in Yosemite

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
 climb the peak 16 Sep 2017
Hi everyone,

Planning a trip to Yosemite in a few weeks time and looking over the startling list of equipment we might need. To reduce the amount of stuff we need to take out from the UK, and possibly to save money, I was wondering if there are any good climbing shops en route from San Fransisco airport to Yosemite (we'll be hiring a car and driving). If anyone does know of any could you please let me know if they might be cheaper than buying gear such as cams and aiders back in the UK?

Thanks a lot
 Sayon 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

There is (was?) a well-stocked climbing shop in yosemite, although I have read reports of changing ownership, so not sure of the current situation. I am sure you could check via google.
I bought quite a bit of gear via the gearexpress website, which I had sent to the post office in Yosemite for collection- this worked really well, was free of charge, and saved me quite a bit on the more specialist bits and pieces that are hard to find in the UK.
 Ian Parsons 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

Sunrise in Livermore were a very handy stop-off en route to The Valley, but sadly now appear to be closing down - although it's not quite clear exactly when:

http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=3003363&tn=20
http://www.sunrisemountainsports.com/

Might be worth inquiring. Livermore has a shopping mall so it's quite a good place to stock up anyway.
 Climber_Bill 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

The climbing shop in Camp Curry was, in 2010, well stocked and reasonable, from what I remember, on prices. We didn't buy much from there though.

However, when we arrived in San Francisco, we went straight to REI and bought some very large cams and other bits and pieces. The prices were good compared to the UK. That was in 2010 though and the exchange rate is not as good now.

Hope that helps.

Have fun.

TJB.
In reply to climb the peak:
The climbing shop in Yosemite has an enormous stock of gear - cams and nuts etc.

The best chain store for climbing and outdoor gear in the US is REI. About the best place to go for things like backpacks and hiking shoes. There is also a very good REI in Sacramento, in case you pass there en route.
Post edited at 15:46
 1poundSOCKS 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

As others have mentioned, REI in San Francisco is good for gear. You can order your stuff online and collect on arrival, if you want to ensure they have it in stock.
In reply to climb the peak:

Thanks a lot for the help everyone!! So useful.
 london_huddy 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

Another REI vote. It's on the right side of town and won't delay you long. And you can marvel at all of the 'essential' gear you never knew you needed.
 Kemics 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

The gear in the valley itself was pretty price if I remember rightly. Certainly not any cheaper than U.K. And the pound wasn't too bad when I went
 timjones 16 Sep 2017
In reply to Kemics:

> The gear in the valley itself was pretty price if I remember rightly. Certainly not any cheaper than U.K. And the pound wasn't too bad when I went

I think the exchange rate is the killer at present.

I'm heading to Yosemite at the end of this week and priced up the idea of buying gear at REI before deciding that paying the excess baggage was probably cheaper.
In reply to climb the peak:

Thanks a lot for the information!
 Kemics 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

Also, if it's any consolation, I flew with British airways and it was fine. We had our main hold bag AND sporting equipment bag (haul bag filled with stuff) both were over the limit and they let us on without mentioning it. Although the haul bag was so big it didn't even fit on the conveyor belt (the bag was so big it was wedged on the metal sides l) so it weighed "16kg" on the scales. The lady just gave me a look but we didn't have to pay additional baggage
 pec 16 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

> Planning a trip to Yosemite in a few weeks time and looking over the startling list of equipment we might need. To reduce the amount of stuff we need to take out from the UK, and possibly to save money, . . . . ? >

Do you actually need to reduce the amount of stuff you take? Most flights to the USA come with an enormous baggage allowance and unless your going to give it away you'll have to bring it home anyway. I've never had less than 2 x 24kg + 15kg hand luggage on a transatlantic flight and have had 2 x 32kg + 15kg.
With the current exchange rate you not likely to save much by buying stuff out there either.

 dominic o 17 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

As a Valley veteran my suggestion for buying gear would be to order online in the US and get it delivered to the post office in Yosemite Village. This is much cheaper than buying in the over-priced mountain shop and guarantees you don't get caught out by something being out of stock - they didn't have a single peg hammer when we'd only brought one by accident a couple of years ago, we had to blag one of a helpful guy on the YOSAR site.

For big-wall specific gear (haul bag, ledge, aiders...) I'd really recommend Fish products http://www.fishproducts.com/ who pretty much only operate by delivery. Also a +1 for REI.

Another weight saving tip is to buy cheap stuff (eg a tent) on eBay or Amazon, get it delivered, and then sell it via the camp 4 notice board (otherwise you still have a problem with luggage allowance getting home!)

A couple of handy tips to avoid pitfalls with this plan. There are about half a dozen places that could receive mail in the Valley - make sure you get the address right! And remember the post office is closed on Sunday - we got caught out flying in over the weekend and hoping to jump straight onto Sunkist but had to wait to collect the Blue BigBro on Monday morning (luckily, as the off width chimney would be horrendous without!)

Have a great trip! Can't make it this year

Cheers, Dom
In reply to climb the peak:

Incidentally, there are several new cheap options to fly to CA from the UK. One is LHR or LGW with BA to Oakland. Also, flying via another US hub and then on to Sacramento is worth considering. Sacramento is very easy to get in an out of compared with SFO.
In reply to climb the peak:

Once again, thanks a lot for the help everyone. We've booked a flight already getting into san fran. We're missing quite a bit of gear as it is, so I'll search around and see which options are the cheapest
 Mark Kemball 17 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

Gone are the days when POD used to run a thriving business in second hand gear at camp 4!
 jkarran 18 Sep 2017
In reply to climb the peak:

I have some aid gear from my 2001 Yosemite trip I'm looking to sell. Obviously it's quite old but barely used. Let me know if you're interested and I'll post a full listing. Off the top of my head there are: etriers, sewn loop daisy chains, fifi hook, BAT hook and a couple of knifeblades
jk
 timjones 18 Sep 2017
In reply to pec:

> Do you actually need to reduce the amount of stuff you take? Most flights to the USA come with an enormous baggage allowance and unless your going to give it away you'll have to bring it home anyway. I've never had less than 2 x 24kg + 15kg hand luggage on a transatlantic flight and have had 2 x 32kg + 15kg.

If you have had this big an allowance recently you must be wealthy enough to fly either Premium or 1st class

The most that I've had included in 4 trips since 2013 is 23kg plus 10kg.

In reply to pec:

We've only got 23kg per person :/
In reply to jkarran:

Thanks a lot, I think my mate has got in contact with you about this

New Topic
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Loading Notifications...