⮬ Displays at the 2023 NSS Convention in Elkins, West Virginia. ⮭ | ||||
What's the story?Long, long ago I developed an interest in rappelling and ascending devices. Not knowing which would be the best for me, I decided to collect one of each device so that I could compare how well they worked. Little did I know what I was getting myself into! I've spend a fair amount of time and money collecting things that have no real monetary value, and have decided to show some of what I have here. Click here for a quick glance at my collection. I do not run an equipment business. I don't sell anything listed in this site. Please don't send me catalog requests or equipment orders. |
I'm always looking for additions. |
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This site is an expression of my hobby and I provide it as a service to the vertical community. Each of the devices on these pages is part of my personal collection. I've used many of these in a variety of test situations as well as caving and climbing, and have formed my own opinions of how well each of my devices works for me. Forming opinions of how well your device works for you is your responsibility. Never, never, never apply my opinions to your gear! Please remember, your needs may be different than mine. In particular:
I have no objection to anyone doing these things, but I do not discuss how any device will work in those any of those situations. If you do any of these, that's fine. Regardless of how you plan to use them, you must acquire your own devices and form your own opinions. Never assume that my gear or opinions have anything to do with your gear or application. |
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Don't Die!I'm not writing an instruction manual, and it's your responsibility to get proper training before using any rappelling, ascending, belaying, or other climbing device. Vertical work is dangerous and nothing short of complete abstinence can make it completely safe. I'm still alive after 50 years of a vertical lifestyle, but far too many former friends are not. Don't even think about learning anything about anything from an internet web site. Natural selection works, and it's forever. |
Cueva del Altar, Mexico |
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AwardThe National Speleological Society awarded me their Certificate of Merit in 2024. |
What's New?The collection now has 4614 cataloged items of 3868 different types, including a modest collection of 674 carabiner types. Thanks to many contributors, it continues to grow at an accelerating pace. Go to the Recent Updates page to see what's new, and the Construction Plans page to see what's coming. The Collection at a Glance Area shows my equipment display at the 2023 NSS Convention, where I displayed 3702 items. This was a huge effort, dwarfing the previous display at the 2009 International Congress of Speleology/NSS Convention held in Kerrville, Texas, USA, where I displayed 1299 unique items. It took me 22 months to prepare displays for 2023. I promised myself never to do this again, as the equivalent task now would be much larger. |
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Where did I get these? |
Can't find it? |
Changes |
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Just the FAQs
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DedicationBob Thrun, a fellow caver and equipment collector passed away in his home on February 7, 2017. He was 77 years old. I met Bob in the 1970s, and talked with him at caving functions many times over the years. We mapped caves together in West Virginia and in Costa Rica, and had several professional interests in common, but our main connection was our common interest in vertical equipment technology. Surprisingly, I never had a chance to visit Bob so I never saw his collection before his death. Bob's 1971 book Prusiking inspired me to start my collection, and when he passed he left his collection to me. In return, I dedicate this web site to Bob's memory. |
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The Distant FutureThe National Speleological Society and I have executed an agreement that would eventually allow my collection of rappelling, ascending, and similar equipment to be transferred to the NSS museum under mutually acceptable terms and conditions. The agreement should ultimately give the NSS Museum the collection with means to maintain, display, and enlarge it after I am gone. The collection will remain in my possession and under my care for the foreseeable future. |
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For far more content, use a larger monitor and a full-width window.
Hundreds of cell phone users complained and asked me to for a simpler, mobile friendly site. In particular, they wanted me to limit each page to a small number of pictures and minimize my use of text. This new site provides what they asked for.
You are visitor number 495019 to this site Last Modified on November 26, 2024 |