Hi, When I was on leaning tower last fall, the two tubes that go together to make the long side of my A5 (double) ledge were extremely difficult to get undone in the morning. We spent an hour, and barely got it done. Now, it really doesn't want to go together again, the metal is all rough and grooved from yarding on it. Some other guys on the route who appeared to be pretty good said this was a common problem with A5 ledges, and recommended sanding the tube down a bit where they meet and perhaps also greasing it. Is this a good solution? Thanks, Ty

-- tyler schlicting (native_ecstasy@hotmail.com), November 14, 2000

Answers

I think this would be the best solution. A few years ago i had a Pika ledge that was total shit, and it had the same problem of tight tubes. I sanded them down, just by hand, and used motor oil as a lubricant. This solved the problem fairly well.

i would be careful against sanding too much, which might make it fairly weak.

-- matt (hothotbunz@yahoo.com), November 14, 2000.

Ty, don't be afraid to grab your hammer and beat the tubes right out. I climb alot in Zion and there is sand out here baby! enough of it that we climb with tri Flow for the cams! Just grab the hammer and beat it! Won't hurt it. If you don't have a hammer just use your foot and kick, I have never had a ledge not come undone (ever from ice from a trip to Alaska this year) Later Burt

-- Burt (epiclmber@hotmail.com), November 15, 2000.