allison

FS: Boreal Stingers, sz 40. Good cond, about halfway through a resole from Ramuta. $30. Scarpa Gripper slippers, sz 39 (I think). Great gym shoe. Fresh resoles from Ramuta. $35.

Actually my crappy-ass HMO insurance won't pay for the orthotics. They see someone with osteoartritis in their feet (hell yes that hurts) in the same light as a runner who needs to correct for sup-or pronation. I ended up going to the UW Orthotics/Prosthetics school to have them made, which so far has been a good experience (I don't have them yet), and a good option for someone who is underinsured for this. So while they are orthotic-salespeople-in-training, they have nothing to gain financially by telling me this. Matter of fact, it's heartening to spend a little time with people who care about feet. I hear ya about orthotics makers thinking they can cure cancer with the right pair of footbeds though!!

Checked out the weight for the Fusion in the BP Gear Guide. Also listed there at 2#4oz. Obviously someone weighed a sample and never checked again. So much for thorough.

All healed, but will never go away. Current thinking combines some previous problems from running competitively though. I'm sure they will build another new mousetrap on all of this next month. BTW Just took the Synchros to the gym tonight. Not too bad. Different, but not terrible.

No the ones I have are coming out in Winter '04. Having said that, the current Ascents are better than the Classics, and they are going to get more better next year.

My feet are messed up from miscellaneous sport injuries. Strting with running, and continuing with some broken bones along the way. I got fitted for a new set of orthotics by a couple of climbing orthotic-makers (not actually docs, I was simplifying in my original post), and they strongly advised against me climbing at all, or at least in something more supportive than slippers. my feet are going flat, among other things, and apparently putting them in cruel shoes expedites the process. If it were up to them I would never wear another shoe that wouldn't take an orthotic.

A pair of Synchros but I haven't even tried them in the gym yet. After years of slippers, this ought to be interesting.

So Erik, that said, I guess we should just expect the manufacturers to lie or get wrong the weights AS WELL AS the down fill and other details. Is that what you are saying?

I'd just like to know how we can believe any of your claims when Marmot can't even be trusted to properly weigh a sleeping bag.

I own a pair of the Classics, and am testing the new Ascents. Having used them both this season, I vastly preferred the Ascents. The lifters really help with fatigue on steep ups, for one thing. The new Ascents are much narrower so your stride is more natural, for another.

You'd have to ask them directly. Can the 'tude in my general direction. It gets old.

Got some shoes today from a cc.commer. Thanks!

Yep, you want the Ascents. If you can hold off, you will either be able to get the current Ascents on close out or get the new new ones next winter. I've seen them, used them, and they are even better than the new Ascents.

If you feel that strongly about it, go volunteer two days for WTA doing trail maintenance. They will give you an annual pass for doing so. www.wta.org

Yes the Fence was in there too. I tried to get him to climb Das Toof with me today but he needed to stay home and spray instead.

I just want to sat that Drew "too cool to chat" and two of his avatars were seen in the chat room last night.

Sure Veggie. Kissing is underrated. Kiss more.

Ah, Sayjay to da RESCUE!! And Kitten good on ya. Go play with a ball of string or something! Fence, I'd love to hear of these so-called "standards"...

That's what Alpie K says too. Maybe you can have and "I don't know shit about what I am talking about" support group!

Now we will commence the late night chatter.

I think you should let us know what the name is for your so-called 900 down fill source. 900 fill is theoretically possible, it's just not been available in amounts that would allow a bag to go into production. Also I am waiting for a response on the Fusion weight issue!

Fern, be nice. Sure, I can't probably do everything you can do physically any more, but my 50L pack gets me around pretty good, and for up to a week at a time under the right circumstances. I mentioned the fact that Ehm's pack is big just cuz I get the impression that Fej isn't looking for something for expeditions. Sorry about the thread drift. I would not rule out packs made for men, keep all options open.

One of the signs of spring here on cc.com.