The Right to Vote

The Price to Play

I have found it takes about $2,000 - $3,000 to purchase enough equipment for one to be comfortable in most mountaineering situations. Once you have acquired the gear to make a complete set - in theory - it means no more expenses for gear. As time passes, you refine things and create the 'perfect' system for YOU. Then along comes sweet temptation offering up the latest models and styles with enhanced features, complete with that "new car smell", so to speak.

Staggering back inside from a long day hike you notice that your old rain jacket has a huge tear. So many miles and stories in that coat. But alas, it is time to retire the old gal. Now what do you do? The answer is up to you. It's your system, not mine.

Our world is flooded with products that claim to be "the last one you will ever need". Don't be fooled by the illusion that we as consumers play no part. The SOLE reason companies exist is to meet our demands. Want an ultra-light rain jacket?  Check out OR's Helium II. Want a technical climbing shell?  There's Arc'teryx's Alpha SV.

Companies go out of their way to make products that we tell them we need. Cash is king. We vote by buying their products and supporting their mission statement. While the price to play may seem high, remember that every dollar - no, every cent - that we send to a company in exchange for a product is a vote cast in that company's favor. One of the reasons I write this blog is to advertise for the products I love. One day I hope to be paid well to write for a companies while advertising their goods.  For now, I write because I love it. Since freedom of speech is still around, I shall continue to write, and vote in my own way.

Z