Giftfilter: small lovely portable *thing* for departing climbing partner
December 27, 2017 1:46 PM Subscribe
My climbing partner of the last 5 years is finally jumping ship and leaving the UK for Australia. I'm gonna miss him, and I want to get him something tremendous. Suggestions needed, hivemind! Thoughts within:
He's in his early 20s and he's decided to fly away on a one-way ticket. I think it's the most awesome thing, and I want to celebrate his decision and his future. He leaves in mid-January, and I'm thinking about how to get something great. But I'm stuck for ideas.
He's very self-sufficient, and he's travelling light. He's a painter-decorator by trade, and he'll not struggle to make friends and survive. He wants to get up as many big mountains as he can and I'm sure he will, he's a strong alpinist and he climbs hard. He's got a full climbing rack (I thought about getting him some more gear but nothing stands out – another cam, another nut, it doesn't seem significant), and I don't want him to be lumbered with stuff that he won't need, and books or guides seem like a bit of a burden for a guy with a backpack. So I'm drawing a blank and turning to the MeFite mind. Any suggestions are genuinely appreciated. I'm thinking of spending around GBP 100 (USD 135 / AUD 170) but that's a pretty unreflectively generated number, and flexible. Thanks you guys!
He's in his early 20s and he's decided to fly away on a one-way ticket. I think it's the most awesome thing, and I want to celebrate his decision and his future. He leaves in mid-January, and I'm thinking about how to get something great. But I'm stuck for ideas.
He's very self-sufficient, and he's travelling light. He's a painter-decorator by trade, and he'll not struggle to make friends and survive. He wants to get up as many big mountains as he can and I'm sure he will, he's a strong alpinist and he climbs hard. He's got a full climbing rack (I thought about getting him some more gear but nothing stands out – another cam, another nut, it doesn't seem significant), and I don't want him to be lumbered with stuff that he won't need, and books or guides seem like a bit of a burden for a guy with a backpack. So I'm drawing a blank and turning to the MeFite mind. Any suggestions are genuinely appreciated. I'm thinking of spending around GBP 100 (USD 135 / AUD 170) but that's a pretty unreflectively generated number, and flexible. Thanks you guys!
How about this three-pack of Life Straw personal water filters. They only weigh 2 oz each, and anyone who is in the backcountry (anywhere) would find them useful.
posted by dbmcd at 1:54 PM on December 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by dbmcd at 1:54 PM on December 27, 2017 [5 favorites]
Do you know where he's going in Australia? How about a day of guided climbing at a nearby climbing area? Something to get him settled in to the area, especially until he gets to know the climbing community there a bit better.
Maybe a GoPro so he can film his climbs and entice you to come visit sometime?
posted by jedicus at 1:58 PM on December 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
Maybe a GoPro so he can film his climbs and entice you to come visit sometime?
posted by jedicus at 1:58 PM on December 27, 2017 [4 favorites]
I got a climbing friend a metal sign like this reading "Please Remove Crampons Before Entering" to hang in front of his home.
posted by exogenous at 2:02 PM on December 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by exogenous at 2:02 PM on December 27, 2017 [2 favorites]
Have a chalk bag made for him by an Etsy person so it’s personal. Even if it’s not something he uses for outdoor climbs (I know nothing about climbing) he might keep stuff in it at home or use it as a man purse etc.
posted by Iteki at 2:23 PM on December 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Iteki at 2:23 PM on December 27, 2017 [1 favorite]
Depending on his plans once he gets to Australia, you could consider partly funding him for doing the Overland Track in Tasmania. While the main track itself is not considered a difficult climb, there are side tracks to the summit of Cradle Mountain and others which are more challenging, and it is an absolutely beautiful part of the world. It is really one of those unforgettable experiences (I should note I haven't done it myself as I am insufficiently fit, but I have done gentler walks around the area and even they were pretty amazing).
If giving him an experience rather than a thing appeals, you need to book as Parks Tas limits the number of people who can go on the track each day (various reasons, more about the track, etc on their site). The booking fee for the track itself is AU$200, there's also a National Parks Pass, info pack, possibilities for staying in cabins along the way if he doesn't want to carry camping equipment.
posted by Athanassiel at 2:29 PM on December 27, 2017
If giving him an experience rather than a thing appeals, you need to book as Parks Tas limits the number of people who can go on the track each day (various reasons, more about the track, etc on their site). The booking fee for the track itself is AU$200, there's also a National Parks Pass, info pack, possibilities for staying in cabins along the way if he doesn't want to carry camping equipment.
posted by Athanassiel at 2:29 PM on December 27, 2017
+1 to sunglasses, or anything else (hat?) that'll be essential to his new UV-heavy reality.
posted by mosst at 4:00 PM on December 27, 2017
posted by mosst at 4:00 PM on December 27, 2017
What about a multi-tool? Leatherman has some nice ones (and some climbing-oriented ones, IIRC). They also still have a lifetime guarantee so he can trade it in if it ever rusts, etc. Or a climber's knife, like from Petzl? Both are multi-functional and durable, pack able and portable, and speak to your friendship without adding unnecessary gear. You could also have the tool engraved for a more personal/sentimental touch.
Or could do an engraved biner as a token (even if not for climbing) and buy one of the tours suggested above?
posted by stillmoving at 4:33 PM on December 27, 2017
Or could do an engraved biner as a token (even if not for climbing) and buy one of the tours suggested above?
posted by stillmoving at 4:33 PM on December 27, 2017
A Kindle takes up hardly any space and is great for killing time at basecamp, waiting out storms, etc. Maybe preload it with some mountaineering classics.
posted by doctord at 9:37 PM on December 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by doctord at 9:37 PM on December 27, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm sure he knows about Arapiles?
Something about climbing in Australia is that there are extremes- it can be quite chilly and also really really hot. Maybe a nice camelbak style water bottle? Plus a beanie?
posted by freethefeet at 2:58 AM on December 28, 2017
Something about climbing in Australia is that there are extremes- it can be quite chilly and also really really hot. Maybe a nice camelbak style water bottle? Plus a beanie?
posted by freethefeet at 2:58 AM on December 28, 2017
Get him a nice knife or multitool, you can even get it engraved. Everytime he pulls it out, he'll think about you for a second. It might even save his life.
posted by trbrts at 7:50 AM on December 28, 2017
posted by trbrts at 7:50 AM on December 28, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Jesse the K at 1:53 PM on December 27, 2017