Product Recall Number: 98-080
Why was Climbing harnesses with a front entry sleeve system recalled?
If attached incorrectly, the climber's swami belt can be held by only a small piece of elastic behind the sleeve. Climbers who don't realize this mistake create a dangerous situation where the belay/rappel loop tears through the elastic webbing, potentially causing the climber to flip backwards, possibly causing injury.
Product Recall Number: 98-080
Product Safety Warning Number:
Date: 1998-03-11
Product Safety Warning Date:
Name Of Product: Climbing harnesses with a front entry sleeve system
Description: WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Misty Mountain Threadworks Inc. of Banner Elk, N.C., is recalling about 5,000 climbing harnesses with a front entry sleeve system. If attached incorrectly, the climber's swami belt can be held by only a small piece of elastic behind the sleeve. Climbers who don't realize this mistake create a dangerous situation where the belay/rappel loop tears through the elastic webbing, potentially causing the climber to flip backwards, possibly causing injury. Misty Mountain Threadworks is aware of at least three incidents where climbers have ripped the elastic webbing, but there have been no injuries reported. The front entry sleeve is used in four different harness styles by the company -- Arete, Finesse, Quantum and Cadillac Big Wall. All the harnesses have black nylon webbing with various additional color and design combination features. The tag on the harness reads, "Misty Mountain Threadworks." A label on the harness shows the manufacture date. The recalled harnesses were manufactured from August 1996 through September 1997. The harness comes in a blue box showing a photo of a mountain labeled Dhulagiri from Poon Hill, Nepal. Outdoor and climbing shops, climbing gear catalogs and Misty Mountain Threadworks sold these harnesses from August 1996 through March 1998 for about $42 to $80, depending on the model. Climbers who have a Misty Mountain Threadworks harness with a front entry sleeve should stop using the harness and immediately return it to Misty Mountain Threadworks. The harness will be repaired and returned promptly. Send your harness for repair to Misty Mountain Threadworks, 718 Burma Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604. For more information, call Misty Mountain Threadworks collect at (704) 963-6688 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. You may also contact them by electronic mail at info@mistymountain.com.
Hazard Description: If attached incorrectly, the climber's swami belt can be held by only a small piece of elastic behind the sleeve. Climbers who don't realize this mistake create a dangerous situation where the belay/rappel loop tears through the elastic webbing, potentially causing the climber to flip backwards, possibly causing injury.
Consumer Action: None Listed
Original Product Safety Warning Announcement: None Listed
Remedy Type: Repair
Units: About 5,000
Incidents: Misty Mountain Threadworks is aware of at least three incidents where climbers have ripped the elastic webbing, but there have been no injuries reported.
Remedy: Climbers who have a Misty Mountain Threadworks harness with a front entry sleeve should stop using the harness and immediately return it to Misty Mountain Threadworks. The harness will be repaired and returned promptly. Send your harness for repair to Misty Mountain Threadworks, 718 Burma Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
Sold At: Outdoor and climbing shops, climbing gear catalogs and Misty Mountain Threadworks sold these harnesses from August 1996 through March 1998 for about $42 to $80, depending on the model.
Importers: None Listed
Manufacturers: None Listed
Distributors: None Listed
Manufactured In: None Listed
Custom Label: None Listed
Custom Field: None Listed