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Re: What is most likely to fail?

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:00 pm
by dave54
knees :D

Gearwise-- Tents seem to be the item that fails suddenly and spectacularly. Everything else is a slow degeneration that the usual post trip R&R detects.

I have had companions that failed to live up to expectations (chronic whiners, timid, lazy, etc) but that is more likely on my part in selection of a partner.

Re: What is most likely to fail?

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:38 pm
by rlown
I too am finding the human aspect fails the most, but I'll call a trip if necessary due to anyone having a problem.

I haven't lost a hip belt or pack strap yet, and I'm sure that would suck large. My Kelty was a little wiggly in the middle of the last trip.. found a bushing that had moved out of place and a pin that should have been there but wasn't.. Starting to check my equipment every other day now when out on the trail.

Tent zippers seem to be a problem if not cleaned regularly, and I dont think my hemo's are strong enough to crip the zipper upon failure.

Re: What is most likely to fail?

Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:22 pm
by mshields
Whatever the failure might be, let's not forget the MVP "fix all" ...... Duct Tape. It has saved my bacon the past two years straight.

- Last year, my sternum strap buckle randomly popped off around Island Pass; never to be seen again. while I keep an extra waist buckle handy, didn't have the smaller one for the sternum. It was a bit of a hassle on/off but the duct tape held very well.

- A couple week s back while hiking the High Sierra Trail, one of my hiking partners sole fell off his shoe about 30 miles in. You got it... Duct Tape. It held great all the way to Whitney Portal.
shoe.jpg
I am sure that I am "preaching to the choir", but I always wrap copious amounts around my hiking poles. In all seriousness it is a pretty darn good fix for a wide variety of failures.

Re: What is most likely to fail?

Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:00 am
by quentinc
I've always felt that if duct tape were applied to exactly the right places, we could achieve world peace. :)

I have also had to hike with my boots encased in duct tape -- made it up to Mt. Williamson and Tyndall the first time that way.