Yesterday, me and 3 more friends were climbing on High E, split in 2 parties. I carried all my rack with me while I was leading, my friend, who was leading for the other rope, decided to leave some stuff on the ground, mostly big cams.
When we came down we realized that somebody had stolen his stuff, about 6 or 7 cams, all BD C3 and C4.
Now...there is the possibility that by accident, other parties at base of the climb while packing their stuff, they took also my friend's rack...although I find hard to believe that you are putting a N.4 and a N.5 in your pack and you do not notice they are not yours...
The other scenario is that Yesterday there were some assholes climbing at the Gunks, and they took the gear...not hard to believe...
Considering how long it takes to put together a rack for somebody with a low or normal income, them stiling the gear drives me up a wall!
We spoke with the rangers, and they were very surprised to ear what happened, they will file a police report.
In any case if somebody knows or ears anything about this, please shoot me an email.

Sorry to hear about your loss, I hope the responsible parties will come clean, and return your gear. This sets a bad example, hopefully we all can still leave gear at the base of climbs without worry!

It may be time for one of these:

Hey, I think I know who your group was (and thanks much for the use of your ropes). I heard you guys talking about missing cams as we were walking out but I assumed it was a gear division issue, not one of theft. If we can't trust our gear on the ground, that really sucks. I sure hope you get it back. The Gunks feels like home to me and home should be safe.

That sucks! So sorry to hear that, especially since it's the first time I've heard of a large amount of gear being stolen from the base of the cliffs at the gunks.

I always thought it was safe to leave stuff on the ground given the ethic that distinguish the Gunks from other places...
I hope that who did this, re-think about what he did and returns the gear, because if I am not going to leave gear on the ground anymore, he better not to, neither. Because next time it could happen to him, once the ethic of a place goes to hell...

bummer. i had gear stolen at the base of the gunks in 1996. it happens unfortunately.

Don't give up hope. Happened to my partner and I several years ago. Sure enough, there was note on the bulletin board the next week from the person. Her "noob" boyfriend had picked up the wrong gear by mistake.

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya.

Tim

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