Climbing harnesses with a front entry sleeve system
CPSC Recall #98-080 — March 11, 1998
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-080 |
| Recall Date | March 11, 1998 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 5,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| 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. |
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 [email protected].
Hazard
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.
Incidents & Injuries
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 Instructions
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.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.