FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I don’t know what size boot to rent, can you help me?
Absolutely! We’ve been fitting boots for several years, it’s best just to provide us with your standard shoe size (tennis shoe, boot, etc. not a climbing shoe) and we’ll take it from there. We do recommend bringing a selection of socks to improve the boot fit; generally we would recommend something like a standard hiking sock as a good place to start but something thicker or thinner (or a combination of socks!) might be better for you. Contact us to help with your sock selection, if you’d like.
Can I rent last minute?
Maybe. This is a home-based business but we both work other full-time jobs and travel and climb. We prefer 24hr minimum notice, 48hr is even better to review and accommodate requests. If you’re in a bind and need a last minute rental, please call (612.756.8423)! A huge benefit of operating out of our home is we can be available early morning or late evening/night to arrange pickup. We also have contactless pickup and returns available if timing doesn’t work out for us to be available!
Can I use you my own boots?
Sure! If they’re suitable for the activity and compatible with our crampons…
Generally mountaineering boots will be fairly rigid (either a full or 3/4 length shank in the sole of the boot) providing stability while ice climbing or mountaineering and contain a either toe and heel “welt” or just one on the heel. The “welts” are a fairly robust, hard plastic lip or ledge, perhaps a 1/4” wide.
We offer two styles of crampons, a strap on model and a “step-in” style. The strap on model is suitable mainly for mountaineering, as it usually won’t attach well enough to the boot to ice climb well (but can be done!); these can be attached to any boot or shoe for that matter. The step-in style or automatic style (also known by a few other things, e.g. Grivel’s “Cramp-O-Matic” nomenclature) require boots to have the toe and heel “welt” for a more positively attachment designed to survive the rigors of ice climbing.
We may ask you some additional questions, such as size of your boots, because some crampons models better accommodate very small or very large size boots or very skinny or very wide boots. If we have this information in advance we’re able to make adjustments to the crampons or reserve a model that would likely fit better.
Lastly, if you choose to rent our crampons and fit them yourself to your boots we ask that you take care making adjustments and you will be held responsible for any damages incurred.
Please contact us with your boot manufacturer and model (if known, or send us a photo!) and boot size we can help you select and fit a suitable crampon for your intended activity!
Can I share rental equipment with my friends?
Maybe. We recommend each equipment user complete our rental agreement and waiver. We provide quality, well maintained equipment but accidents can occur, include equipment malfunction or failure. Having each user execute this agreement limits our liability and serves as a reminder that these activities are dangerous and their engaging in these activities of their own volition. The renter also assumes all responsibilities for the equipment during the rental period, if damage or loss occurs, regardless if it’s in your possession or not, will be your financial responsibility to resolve.
Sharing of ice tools is common amongst a climbing group as a limited number of people can be climbing at any one time. Sharing of boots and/or crampons becomes more more challenging. First and foremost, sharing of boots would require that you both wear similar size or are are willing to participate with ill-fitting boots. Sharing of crampons may require re-sizing the crampon to fit other boots. We generally fit the crampons to a specific pair of boots during the boot fitting and equipment pickup process and don’t recommend the user adjusting the crampons (this has been a cause of equipment damage in the past). If you’re not familiar with crampon fitting, there is a higher likelihood of equipment malfunction also, potentially leading to injury. Navigating and belaying in the ice climbing environment without wearing crampons can also greatly increase slip and fall potential. Lastly, trading/sharing equipment and making crampon adjustments may reduce time available for climbing and doing this in the snow and cold may reduce your enjoyment!
Can I use the rental equipment for mixed climbing or dry tooling?
We understand occasional rock may be encountered accidentally in thin areas or early or late season conditions but deliberate use our equipment for mixed or dry tooling is prohibited with our prior authorization and may trigger damage or mis-use charges to your credit card on file with us. Please check with us first if you want to engage in these activities and well set you up with a some equipment that is more durable and appropriate!
What should I do or not do with the rental equipment?
Great question! First and foremost, we would prefer that you treat our equipment with respect and use it as it’s intended. We take pride in providing quality, well maintained equipment for the benefit of our climbing community at a cost that’s affordable to all. Equipment mis-use or engaging in activities causing excessive wear and tear or damage is disrespectful!
We rent our equipment to be used in mountaineering or ice climbing activities, which is generally snow and ice terrain. We would prefer you avoid harder surfaces (rock, gravel, concrete, pavement) while wearing crampons to minimize wear and tear, but please don’t jeopardize your safety to avoid these! We also frown on kicking crampons or swinging ice tools into live trees or scuffing crampons or otherwise trampling mosses, lichen, or other sensitive vegetation; while this may not do much harm to our equipment we (climbers) should be good stewards of land to protect climbing access. Also, please see the other FAQ about mixed climbing or dry tooling with our equipment, which is strictly prohibited without prior arrangements.