Love Letters
From: Brendan Cusick
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2003 3:28 PM
Subject: hey thanks
Charley,
Just a note to thank you for hooking us up with the gear. We were successful in climbing a new route on the end (West ridge) of the buttress on Denali. we had to wait out an 8 day storm and thus were unable to descend to climb on the Washburn wall proper or the Fathers and Sons we were able to summit after only four days on the mountain which kept us somewhat sane for few days of the bad weather. We did however climb a great line that was almost entirely rock the cams were unmatched for lightweight and versatility we used every piece we brought, The crampons climbed well. though I would recommend changing the quick adjustment piece for a sturdy bolt as they did make uncomfortable noises on the hard ice that we encountered I will be changing mine, but I left them with a buddy on the glacier for him to borrow since he forgot his. Overall by using the Trango equipment we saved over 2 pounds than if we had used BD and Metolius friends entourage I brought only two other BD cams and used them much less. Our route we named Patience for Purity due to having to wait out the weather while so many other parties bailed. We climbed in a 25 hour push round trip (the purity) from the 14K camp. En route for only 14 hours not including other forays during the period it was 3500' of new climbing AK grade IV 5.8 AI 5. Thanks again and I look forward to using your equipment again soon.
Brendan
Sent: Wednesday, November 14th, 2001
Subject: ClimbOn! Bar
Greetings from Boise!
I had an extra-ordinary experience about a week ago that I figured you might appreciate I was downtown with a few friends last week just shooting the breeze, trading horror stories and the associated scars involved when a buddy of mine pulled up his sleeve to reveille a freshly shot tattoo. It looked so nasty and... Well it looked like road rash. He pulled out this bottle of crud and started to plaster the brown-green goo on his arm. We were all about to barf when I got an idea. Seth (tattoo-boy) is the youngest in the ring of friends I associate with so he is still kind of goofy and young. We ordered him to wash the tar-poop off his arm and clean it good. I went to my tool box in my truck and grabbed my small ClimbOn! can. I instructed him to rub it on four to five times a day for a week or so and left him with it. This is where it gets good! I just got off the phone with Seth's tattoo artist who wanted to know where he could get his hot little hands on some 'miracle-wax'. Not knowing what the hell he was talking about he explained to me that Seth had thrown away the diaper-shit he bought from some herbal store for 50 bucks and used the ClimbOn! bar instead. His scar/tattoo has healed wonderfully, and he shared it with the tattoo guys at the shop. The owner called me and wanted to know where he could get the bars from. I told him about REI and the Trango web site. He said he would be ordering ASAP.
WHERE WILL THE MADNESS STOP???
I was started on the bar from a dairy rancher, and I have so far planted ClimbOn! into the hands of Ranchers, Rodeo Bull Riders, Blade Smiths, Leather Tanners, Mechanics, Masons, Roofers, and yes, a few climbers. They all are using it and order it regularly. Now I can add to the list Tattoo Artists! The Climb-On Bar is not just for climbers. Although of the last 4 times I went to the City (City of Rocks) three of them I gave a bar away to some climber who thrashed their face, arm, or leg on the sandpaper granite. Hell! My mom even has some in her purse! I just get a kick out of how many people see me use it ask what the heck it is and then turn around and buy some themselves. I hope you see the results at the bottom line (cash in your pocket). And I hope your business it doing well. Stay cool and please know that I'm selling this bar everywhere I can. In the last year I bought more than 13 cans of this stuff from you and REI. Most of them to give away to people who need it more than myself at the time. Except one was stolen from my pack :o(. A few new big bars would be great to! I'm almost out. I'd like to also come play in your state in the spring. Hope you enjoyed this.
Best regards,
Travis Tanner
Boise, Idaho
Sent: Wednesday, November 14th, 2001
Subject: Thanks
Trango,
Hey guys I just wanted to let you know what I think of your climbing gear. Its awesome. Its really good that you guys make great dependable products and don't jack the prices like some other companies. Climbers have to have dependable gear (your life depends on it as I'm sure you are aware) and in my experience, don't exactly have a thick wallet. So I wanted to say thank you. Here is the rest of my letter and I don't want you to think that, that whole first part was brown nosing, because it wasn't. My name is Phil Heileson and I consider myself and avid climber/mountaineer and am currently in Hawaii going to school. There is some good rock climbing here but I miss the mountains from back home (Montana) and I have noticed that you have some excellent advertising posters of climbing/mountaineering. My room here in college is bland and it drives me crazy and this bring me to the purpose of this part of my letter. I was wondering what I would have to do, to get you to send me some of your posters and stickers. If you could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time and great products.
Sincerely,
Phil Heileson
Sent: Wednesday, April 18th, 2001
Subject: Thanks
Just wanted to say that the "Trangorrito" pack my girlfriend got me is one of the most awesome pieces of gear I have! I love it! Thanks for setting her up with that!
...Dick
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 9:45 PM
Subject: climbing
Hey
I just wanted to let you know how much I love Trango. I have been climbing for roughly seven years now. I have gone through a lot of different cams and have grown to love yours the best. I just got back from one of my best climbing experiences in Yosemite National. I went there for my first time with some climbing partners of mine for a week to just climb. It was awesome. I just wanted to tell you how much confidence I have in your gear. I was also wondering if you had any posters that you wouldn't mind sending me that I could post on my walls. Thanks for everything.
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 8:29 AM
Subject: thanks
So there I am, enjoying a beautiful lead on one of the best climbs in the valley-Reed's Direct. I'm almost done with the long 2nd pitch. It's about 100 degrees in an unprecedented September heat wave. I'm sweating to beat the band, 1:30 in the afternoon and they don't make enough chalk to keep my hands dry. Then I hit the wide section right before the ledge. I'm fist jamming in the back of this thing and arm barring. I can't get enough chalk on me, every time I chalk one hand the other is already sweat soaked. I'm pumping out trying to chalk. Getting tired, too tired to place pro, gotta get to the ledge, too tired to chalk, "take, take, take!!!!" I grease out. One, two, ugh. Rope comes tight on a good 15 footer. Held solid by a #9 TRANGO Monocam.
Thanks Charley, Great products!!!
Sent: December 15, 2000 8:29 AM
Subject: climbing
Hey Trango, how's everything, I am just writing to tell you how impressed I am with all your gear. I have to admit, I am no proclimber, I just started about three years back. I have always loved the sport, I just got a late start one could say. Well any way, I really do appreciate all your gear, never has it failed me. I purchased the Vertical harness when I first started, the best harness for the price in my mind. I've use harnesses that were twice the price, but only half the performance. I have since turned four of my friends in your direction, all have been equally impressed. Your figure 8, smooth as ever, I love using it. Your locking beiners, man, they lock the smoothest out of all of my locking ones, one flick of the finger, locked! Well one last thing, I have searched large and wide, and with much disappointment, I have found no Trango stickers, posters, or anything. Even from my local dealers. So I was hoping, it being that time of year, that you might send me some to show off my pride and satisfaction with Trango. I hope that all you at Trango have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for everything.
Trango Note:
Charley Mace is our Minister of Finance. He swings both ways, having led 5.12 trad and summited K2.
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2001
Subject: thanks
Dear Trango,
After my recent series of conversations with one of your Customer Service Reps, I felt the need to write and say thank you.
I am an avid mountaineer, and this past week, I was on a week long ice climbing trip in the Canadian Rockies (my backyard). Unfortunately, on the last day, I broke one of my picks to my Trango Capt Hook Ice Tools. I have another climbing trip coming up this weekend, so today, I phoned your 1-800 number to have a new one shipped to me as soon as possible.
After a few quick conversations with Charlie Oliver (one of your employees), I learned that the picks I have been using were recalled. Charlie offered to send me two new picks; however, I would have to pay for the express shipment (otherwise it would take approx three weeks). This is completely reasonable.
Throughout our conversations, I had to phone Charlie three times and he phoned me once. The entire time, Charlie maintained a cheerful voice and a professional attitude. Charlie showed great patience in handling my customer service event.
Over the years, I have dealt with many mountaineering equipment companys (Sierra Designs, Black Diamond, North Face, etc.), but I must say that this is the first time I've actually been impressed.
Incidently, I have ordered a third pick (in case of another breakage). I look forward to the continued use of my Trango Ice Tools.
Dave
Calgary, Canada
