Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Mtnfreak
Trad climber
Lost on the West Coast
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 16, 2017 - 12:31pm PT
|
I moved away from the Bishop/Tahoe/Bay Area in 2010, so I'm wondering: If I want to buy specialty alpine climbing gear at a brick business in San Francisco or nearby, where do you recommend?
Thanks - Chris
|
|
kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 12:37pm PT
|
Is this is a troll?
Closest brick and mortar shop for alpine gear is Mammoth Mountaineering in Bishop.
Don't know what's available at the mountain shop in Yosemite or in Tahoe.
Edit: it's similar to asking what's the best place to buy a surfboard in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Or trying to find a decent ski boot fitter in the SF Bay area......
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 02:00pm PT
|
you want to go to a place where there are buyers for the gear... so the Bay Area is hit and miss with a declining number of such shops
how many alpinists are looking to buy kit in the Bay Area?
REI Berkeley is a possibility for some things.
That's about it now.
|
|
hellroaring
Trad climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 02:06pm PT
|
With the demise of Marmot Mounrainworks in Berkeley & Sunrise in Livermore I think you are out of luck There is rei but the selection is usually pitiful and finding knowledgeable staff can be challenging, but I'm sure you already know this about the place. Davis used to have a gear shop years ago but I think that too has gone the way of the California Grizzly. Not sure if Wildwrneas Exchange in Berkeley is still around or what their inventory would like. I really miss Marmot in Berkeley. Good luck.
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 02:09pm PT
|
yes, BITD you could usually fill out what you needed between Marmot and Sunrise... some stuff was still pretty special and required going much farther afield.
|
|
Mtnfreak
Trad climber
Lost on the West Coast
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2017 - 02:17pm PT
|
Kunlun, I promise its not a troll - like Ed said, back in my day we had Sunrise and Marmot. San Francisco is a hell of a lot closer to excellent alpine climbing in the Sierra than Saskatoon is to surfing.
Nonetheless, I am a bit surprised that no one has tried again. I would think there is a real market niche for a specialty climbing/alpine/trail store. Hmmm....
|
|
hellroaring
Trad climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 02:19pm PT
|
RIP Western Mountaineering in San Jose...forgot about that one. I really miss all those old gear shops.
|
|
hellroaring
Trad climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 02:33pm PT
|
I used to fantasize about opening a mountaineering/import punk rock vinyl lp shop in SF. Talk about a money losing specialty niche! SF rents & the internet drove a stake through the heart of that dream.
|
|
kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 03:13pm PT
|
I'm in agreement with Donini that California doesn't have what I'd call real alpine climbing, but I'm originally from Canada. Great rock climbing no doubt, but rarely in alpine conditions.
I bought a lot of gear from Marmot, but was never satisfied with their service or boot fitting. Many small towns in BC have expert boot fitters, but I have yet to find one in the Bay area. Finally realized I had to go to Tahoe where there are three or four. Without expert boot fitting (blown out or punched shells) I am in constant pain, and don't fit anything straight off the shelf.
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 03:19pm PT
|
I always thought of California climbing as "alpine light," though there is plenty of adventure to have getting out in the Sierra during the winter.
But it wasn't really 'till I got to Canada that I realized what alpine might actually be, and all the other aspects of traveling in those mountains compared with the Sierra.
As far as boot fitting, I think I tried on every pair of boots suitable for ice climbing in the Bay Area on my last purchase, when both Marmot and Sunrise were open, including REI/Berkeley (forget the other REI in the Bay Area). I did find something at Sunrise that were suitable... these days I'd be out of luck.
|
|
Stewart Johnson
Mountain climber
lake forest
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 03:59pm PT
|
Shop online , duh.
|
|
kunlun_shan
Mountain climber
SF, CA
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 04:01pm PT
|
^^ :-)
|
|
Petch
Gym climber
knapsack crack
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 09:40pm PT
|
Talk to Squirrel at the Strawberry Station. He'll order anything you want and give you the best price. True mom and pop shop
|
|
rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
|
|
|
Dec 16, 2017 - 09:53pm PT
|
Try the mens' stretch rubber at Stormy Leather...
|
|
Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
|
|
|
Dec 17, 2017 - 07:10am PT
|
Closest place for alpine gear in California? Boulder, Co.
|
|
hossjulia
Trad climber
Carson City, NV
|
|
|
Dec 17, 2017 - 10:13am PT
|
Why did the existing shops close? Ya think maybe they were priced out? I'm kinda surprised by this inquiry. I thought it was obvious only millionaires can aford the bay area now.
|
|
David Knopp
Trad climber
CA
|
|
|
Dec 19, 2017 - 11:34am PT
|
no more shops in the bay area. Sad!
I really miss Marmot in Berkeley.
I used to work there with hellroaring. Wade Icey too-he brought in all the aid gear. best job i ever had-get on the train, get to work by ten-straighten some stuff out, put some stuff out, help some folks. Drink a lot of peets coffee. Talk sh#t with Steve Schneider-learn about the real cool stuff. I miss those easy times!
|
|
hellroaring
Trad climber
San Francisco
|
|
|
Dec 19, 2017 - 08:38pm PT
|
It's ironic that a huge population center like the bay area, especially with Berkeley's connection to climbing history, gear makers/shops, etc. no longer has a good mountain shop.
Then you have Silver Gate, Montana, which I believe is around 20-30 year round residents. That place has the Silver Tip Mountain Center, a pretty cool little mountaineering shop.
Maybe it too no longer exists, it's owner has been posting on the taco an awesome TR about a winter traverse of the California section of the PCT.
Pretty cool shop when I visited in the summer of 2012. Yet SF Bay just couldn't keep it going. Wild...
|
|
JC Marin
Trad climber
CA
|
|
|
Dec 20, 2017 - 08:18am PT
|
5th Season in Shasta--if you get up that way.
|
|
JerryA
Mountain climber
Sacramento,CA
|
|
|
Dec 20, 2017 - 08:18am PT
|
What is the best internet shop?
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!