DanO

For car camping I like to look for the best deals. I look on the campmor web site and also check ebay etc. I used to live in new york and could pick through the mail return items in the campmor store. I could find really good deals in those days. I think most any modern tent made by a brand name to good quality so other than size I would look for a good deal. One thing to consider though is there any chance you would use it on a real trip? If so I would consider one of these tents. http://www.golite.com/Product/ProductBySubCategory.aspx?sc=86&s=1 They can get very big and you can get the floors and the bug nets for them. Great for snow camping, very light for the number of people and do well in high wind, good for multiple usage. Dan

You can go to a welding store and pick up "cheap" glacier glasses just get a pair of the sunglasses/safety glasses with the number 5 lenses used for torch welding. I have used them some, but don't know about multiple day usage so you do so at your own risk. They are a lot cheaper than regular glacier glasses. If nothing else not a bad option for back ups or extras. Dan

Two more cents worth, I have a heavy set of boots that I don't use very often and I have a light pair of boots that I use all the time. I think I could get away with using the light pair of boots for all types of climbing in spring, fall and summer. In other words from my personal experience the lighter pair of boots would get a lot more usage than a heavy pair of boots in the cascades. Of course you would suffer a lot if you get caught out in the cold with them. For me , light is right, but of course I do have two pair of boots one light and one is heavy. The cost to buy two pairs of boots is really high, that is why I used the heavy pair for quite a long while before I got the light pair. Still if I HAD to have only one pair of boots I would go with the light pair, and use chemical foot warmers in the cold. I fitted my boots to fit with one pair of heavy wool socks. Dan

My two cents worth, It is nice to buy boots at a place you can take them back for exchange if you have fitting troubles. REI is the best for this if your a member. I actually took a pair of boots back that I wore on a couple of climbs that the fit was all wrong and they took them on exchange for another pair of boots. Initial cost was higher, but well worth it to me. Pro mountain sports has a similar policy as well. Dan

http://www.tarptent.com/scarp1.html Also. http://www.tarptent.com/new.html If I known about the Scarp1 tent I may have bought it instead of Hillberg Akto I have? http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2788309640046140551keVuIP The Akto I have has really tough fabric so I have little regrets. but the above tent has two vestibules and you can add extra poles. And it is cheaper! This tent maker is coming on with new designs and bears watching. Dan

Hello all. I have some REI dividends to use up and a 20% coupon. I am thinking about getting these lightweight crampons for the GF. http://www.rei.com/product/751754 I have these Stubai crampons and like them very much. http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/STU100 I would rather get another pair of Stubai's, but REI does not carry them. The question is how are the Camp crampons? Good as the Stubai's? Any opinions after usage? We have steel crampons for winter usage, just want something for summer alpine. Thanks Dan

Rei kilo light is for sale now, a really good deal. 20 degree down bag. Weighs 2 pounds.

One tough climb, I would like to get in some harder climbs myself, but my main partner-my wife, I don't want to break her, won't ever get her out again. Also I need some more time to let my knee heal. Your bivi is more than any would prefer. I couldn’t wear glasses because they would ice up on the inside and my eyes felt they were lacerated by the ice particles in the wind. I have had this problem also, with ski goggles and with sunglasses, in really high wind you can't expose any skin, I soloed mount Washington in new Hampshire once in winter along with other climbs up there. I found that by far the best method for me is not the glasses, take a ski mask or a second balaclava and what you do is take the two and put them on and adjust them to make eye slits. That way you expose little skin and you can actually see pretty well through the eye slits made by the two garments. For me this works a LOT better than ski goggles, they just froze up on the inside, you also can adjust the eye opening for conditions, blowing hard across your face? The side with the wind you close down small, the opposite side you can open up a little to see better. I have never seen this in a book, found it out myself. If you sweat and most of us do, your goggles and to a lessor amount-sun glasses, freeze up on the inside. Down mittens I also had down mittens and I liked them but in real use on the Mount Washington trip they was getting soaking wet from sweat and snow melt and they all I had to ware. Luckily I did not have to bivy and I got down in a hurry or I would have been in trouble with my hands. Go with primaloft or some synthetic or wool. Down is dangerous, this is my thinking. I am impressed with your climb.

Alpine Trekker touring adapter An alternative to randonnee AT gear http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/alpine_trekker/trekker_review.htm Any opinions on this gear, worth while? I doubt I afford Randonee gear this year for me and GF. Will check on it though. Dan

I guess the obvious solution is to buy a set of plastic climbing boots of some type? Any recommendations? Or should I give up until I can get one of the more fancy touring outfits? The cost is painful! I guess the cheaper alternative it plastic climbing boots if they would work good enough to ski? Any particular type better than the others? Dan

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36 Later on, I most likely will pick up this tent for summer usage and light alpine. Dan

Hello, I got out my old alpine skis and Silvretta 404 bindings. I got this set up some years ago on ebay. It looks like a matched set. I am a low to intermediate downhill resort skier. I used my leather boots and the combo worked great going uphill. Downhill though I really had a hard time. I had the heals locked and and had a hard time turning and skiing on extremely easy terrain. Gentil slope on a snow covered road. I could only go downhill when I was really crouched forward with my knees and I felt like I could fall over backwards very easily. I really had to keep weight forward to stay in control and to even turn a little bit. The main question is , I think the bindings are mounted a few inches to far to the rear of the ski. I wonder if there is a place I can go to figure the proper mounting out? I live in Mount Vernon Wa. I also, if any here used these skis downhill using leather mountaineering boots, is this outfit that hard to go downhill with? Dan

I am surprised with the non answers, anyone I can ask out there? or I will have to go for it and see what happens, can get mighty thirsty. Dan

Two questions, One I have this stove. http://www.backcountry.com/store/SNO0023/Snow-Peak-GigaPower-BF-Stove.html#reviews I understand even if your canister is very cold you can just tip the canister upside down and the gas would run down hill and you can still use the stove in cold weather. Sounds good in theory has anyone used a stove like this in cold weather? I understand that this stove is made to do this. The second question, how much gas or many canisters one would need per day , per person? Lets say one drinks at least 3 liters up to 6 liters a day. Thanks Dan

Took our atko out again, we got two cheap blue pads from Wall Mart and took two regular pads and fitted up the blue pads and cut the blue pads in a triangle shape. So the whole floor of atko is covered from side to side, to max the sleeping area. I would not call it spacious but it works fine for us a couple. It takes a little more effort to pack the triangle shaped blue pads on the back of her backpack. Have not tested this tent in a hard rain with me and her, may have some water come in if we are touching tent sides. Don't know yet, no problems in light rain. I opened up totally the end ventilation flaps and the top ventilation opening and had NO condensation over night with very little wind this weekend. A true DOUBLE WALL four season tent for two that weighs at 3lbs 8 ounces! That is hard to beat. Plan to use it when weight counts and need four season, like maybe Rainer. Soulo looks to be a great tent. I like free standing as well, I think it would be better choice if you plan to be in extreme weather higher up. I plan to be in more mixed conditions. Tunnel tents in general do well in high winds. Snow loads will be much better in a Soulo. Nice tents all. Dan

Two cents worth. I hate bivy sacks with a passion, I hate them enough that I would rather carry a one man tent and wrap it around myself if I can't get it to set up. Check out this tent. http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=38&p_id=2322296 You can check it out at pro mountain sports. Unless I knew for sure I couldn't set up a tent, I would not take a bivy. This tent is about the same weight as many bivi sacks. Most would consider being in a bivy in winter, personally I would rather be in a good quality three season tent. After you go out in your bivy a few times, a light one man tent looks a lot better. weight a issue? check this out. http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36 Just need two trekking poles , 23oz weight and both tents are reasonably priced, I think this tent could go into many bivy spots due to it's design. Two cents worth done... Hope this helps.

Question answered on another thread. Thanks Dan

Well, after all the trouble I picked up a Akto, the weight a little more than I want. I am going to slowly put it on a diet, carbon poles and so on. Shoot for 3lbs carry weight. Me and GF went to below sulfide glacier on Shuksan this weekend, snow camped and it worked great for the two of us. A little tight for non couples, but it could be done for emergency, for a couple it is a decent choice for a night or two. I think it really roomy for one, even the vestibule was large enough for both of our gear. The key is to use foam pads and put one set up inside the triangle section on one side of the tent, we will make a special pad system to fit the bottom shape of the tent. It won't work with a couple with inflatable pads. The triangle section is good to place knees or hips of the person on that side. It rained, nothing got in, mild weather, so no real test yet, but I noticed that the water didn't seem to get in where we touch the walls, along the wall next to the vestibule one can touch the wall during a rain storm safely for sure. We was able to get both our heads on the uphill side of the slope and was fairly comfortable. We did get a fair amount of condensation, I am still trying to get the ventilation system right. This is a very warm tent and built for true 4 season use. GF got sick so bailed out on peak. I am happy because of the multi use this shelter will give me.(pulled this photo off the web, not our tent.) Pro mountain sports will let you set it up and check it out in store if interested, if they have one in stock, I took the last one they had at this time. They also have a one man Montbell tent I liked very much in stock not on website, it's a 3 season tent. Lower weight tent/tarp, 2.2lb to 2.6lb

Go to the local health store buy Castor Oil and a wool wrap. Wrap it every day for around a hour, Use the wrap, oil and plastic saren wrap. It itself won't cure the problem but it will help a lot. It is a old time arthritis remedy that really works. Also, knowing that you will climb on it injured do this before you go out and it will help. Sort of lubricates the area before hand.

Rainbow, looks good but in the tree line not above. Did consider it. I have the double seedhouse SL tent for two people, a light tent and I like it. Though it is a little small, it works OK for me and my GF. I notice though it lets water in when getting in and out and after a long hard rain with two people you slowly get wet from sleeping bags and other stuff touching the walls. Seedhouse SL is a tough little tent and does very well, I like it but want something different for solo, a different design. Me and GF went and checked out the Hubba at REI, they don't have Hubba HP at the store. You can get two people in it, if one or both are small and are very friendly, going head to toe. Also two guys in a emergency. Same size as the Hubba HP. So I am pretty sure I will try the Hubba HP. It looks good to cook in and hang out in, during bad weather. It is made for fall and spring use for mixed weather. I personally don't favor single wall tents, I would rather have a double wall if the weight is similar. With the new material for double wall tents the weight is really getting down, so old school double wall may become new school again for light weight. Shall see how tough it is?

OK, since this is a thread to help someone select a shoe, I think someone could do worse than these, I got a pair recently and so far so good. http://www.promountainsports.com/graphics/5-10-camp-four.jpg Sold at Pro mountain sports and not at REI http://www.promountainsports.com/boots.shtml I have no connection to any store except as a customer. REI has a couple of suitable shoes, they should have a much better selection. Other than these any well made shoe made for the purpose of scrambling or approach should be a good choice. If not this then hiking shoes but I personally doubt that hiking shoes are as good when actually scrambling on 3rd to low 5th class. Women should check out shoes made for women, if they can find them. Although if the above shoe fits etc, etc it should work well with both sexs. fini,

Ok, I give up, Here you go. Probably will be like walking on greased monkey snot on razor wire, but what the hey, it will be exciting!!

Well, Proof I cannot give, so it is time to compile the numbers. It seems to be good sense to use proper equipment in every other area , such as no cotton clothes, shelter, good jacket, map and so on. John Muir went out with a old over coat and a loaf of bread and who knows what kind of shoes and lived to a old age. I doubt few of us would do that. I think if I was telling a good friend or a love one on what shoes to buy I would be careful.

The Scarpa Zen is a high quality approach shoe? This is the "proper" footwear for scrambling, right? Look I tried to go out before with regular tennis shoes, I had good quality but normal tennis shoes and they was total crap scrambling and low 5th class, I could do it but it was not smart. By the way, since I started this, I have a small rant, Me and my GF went to REI in Seattle and in Bellingham and they have almost no selection for scrambling and approach shoes. To put it very bluntly I think they have a responsiblity to carry these types of shoes in a decent selection. Of course others could have good reason to dispute my opinion. But I think of all the people who go in there and buy footwear with intention of scrambling 3rd class. There is a difference between sticky rubber approach and scrambling shoes than regular hiking shoes or boots. Of course most of us here can do just fine with mountaineering boots. Still, I think as big as REI is especially at the flagship store they can do better.

I am a little dubious that wet fabric can breath? I think it could be waterproof, and not breath with wet fabric. Will check on it some more, seems to be a popular choice. Thanks