Metolius Fat Cams

Post by **p0bray01** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:44 pm

I am relatively new to trad climbing in the Red and have amassed a rack that has so far done quite well! However, a friend of mine mentioned that if I want versatility to climb other places where sandstone is abundant that I should look into Fat cams...My question is does anyone use them in the red? The Red is my home and I kinda tairlor my rack to it, however I would like to have the versatility to climb in places like Indian creek (eventually). so far I have one set of BD and a half set of metolius TCU's. Any advice on whether to get some Fat cams? Any sizes?

Thanks!

Post by **john e aragon** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:54 pm

I don't own any but, I believe that finger size ones might be the best of the sizes I have seen. THey are very heavy is the main reason I havn't bought any. Personnally I would double up on Camalots before I bought anything like that. Aliens have got a bad rap lately but I am very happy with the ones I own.

Post by **Jeff** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:55 pm

For what it's worth,I personaly don't have any fat cams, nor have I noticed them on friends racks.
The few times I have seen them in someones gear pile at the Red, they don't use them very often.
I use mostly Camelots and Aliens.

Post by **Huggybone** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:35 pm

I've used fat cams in the red. I don't like them. The head is too wide, and the crack in the red are not so uniform, so it makes them a little (and I mean a little) harder to place. I have Black Diamonds and Wildcountrys, I find black diamonds preferable for the same reason.

Post by **Steve** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:48 pm

I've got a couple of sizes of Fat Cams and like 'em a lot. Hand size pieces that fill in the gaps between my Camalots. I look at the 6 (I think its the 6...its green) as a 1.5 Camalot and the 8 (purple) as a 2.5 Camalot. Hope that makes sense. At anyrate, I've got a couple, I like them, they work.

Post by **p0bray01** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:32 pm

Thanx Appreciate the feedback!

Post by **kneebar** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:00 am

IMO, I have used them a few times at the creek off of a buddies rack. Didn't really care for them much, could be I'm just used to BD's. Most climbers I have been around carry BD's, and/or friends for the main rack with aliens for small stuff. A set of TCU's comes in handy once in a while.

Post by **TradMike** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:35 am

Camelots and Aliens in the Red work great.

Fat cams are specialized gear for the soft stone climbs of the west. They lower the psi load on the rock to help prevent rock spalling or crushing in the event of a fall.

Post by **Crankmas** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:16 pm

I sent mine to fat hell

Post by **p0bray01** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:59 pm

Crankmas wrote:I sent mine to fat hell

LOL love it. Thanks again guys. Yeah I think I will double up on Camalots first... you are right. My TCU's have been handy in the red a number of times.