Gear failures are definitely a concern because most of my gear is 13 years old. My wristguards, helmet, goggles are even older, started falling apart, and will have to be replaced before next season. My boots are a half-size too small because my feet grew after I started running marathons, so I probably should replace them too.
Goldhill and Slot are both blue-black runs (intermediate-advanced), so I hope I can manage getting down without a toe strap.