Gotta love being back in the land of woods and streams.
REI's flagship store is right up the road (45 mi) in Seattle, WA. We have been up there 3 of the last 4 days spending oddles of green noodles
These bubbas are all about one thing-getting you out from in front of the TV and into the woodline / river / cliff face etc.
The missus took her first climbing class (Women's intro to climbing) on their 60 foot indoor spire and the instruction was by chick rock hounds that were on target. Instruciton was high quality, technical terms were minimized, 1 instructor for 3 student, 9 students in the class. Gear was provided-2.5 hours of class was only $25. She takes improvement to climbing techniques in two weeks and we signed our daughter up for the "intro to Kids Climbing" this weekend.
They have a "Gear Garage" where I spent HOURS. This is the "I wore it / used it / cooked with it / slept in it and now I want my money back for it" place. Picked up some ASOLO leather boots (that retailed upstairs for $309) for $66.50
. They looked brand new, return tag said "Purchaser changed mind"
SCORE!!! 
Their return policy is 100% satisfaction for the lifetime of the product, or they will replace it. There was ALL AGES and wear condition of products in their gear garage which attested to the validity of their policy. I asked the (rather "grunged" poneytailed clerk) about the gear return, he told me that REI leaves the ethical part on the customer and just takes the stuff back. Pretty amazing in this day and age.
Kimberly is now going to be doing the rock thing-we bought harnesses, shoes, biners, ATC and a myriad of other "climbing stuffs"-so any
any of you knuckles out there with spare (safe) climbing gear laying around that you aren't using-shoot me a price and I'll see if I can make some room in your garage
Eagle
REI is the flippin HEAT
Threaded Mode
