Dustin_B

nice work! which one is the "middle gully"? are you referring to Zipper Couloir or Fly Couloir? got any pics?

1 goal down, ticket for other booked, 3rd possibly as layover. May go to SE Asia instead of NZ You were in Nepal recently, no? Did you say you were headed back? Mind if I ask you for advice? I didn't end up going to Nepal. I had to change my plans 5 days before I flew out because of political problems there (in hindsight I should have still gone). I spent 3 months in SE Asia instead. Going to Nepal and Tibet next year.

ignore this post

Are you serioulsy going all those places this year? On 'vacation' and not business trips? If so, I'm F&^%ing jealous. Please share how you will accomplish this?

Any one have a sleeping bag with Pertex Quantum as the shell fabric? (Marmot Helium or Hydrogen, Western Mountaineering Extremelite series, FF, etc). I’m interested in how water resistant the fabric is from a tent-condensation perspective, and not so much a sleeping-in-the-rain situation. (I’m assuming its not so good when getting rained on). I have a Moutainsmith Wisp bag which uses a similar but lighter shell material (Dimension Polyant Airnet fabric, .85oz high tenacity nylon) and I’ve noticed that when there is lots of condensation on the tent walls and I rub against them, the shell of the bag can wet out. Its never been a problem of the down getting wet though (yet). I’m looking to get a bag with a Pertex Quantum shell. Any problems with durability of the fabric? (I’ve had none with my lighter shell bag). Thanks.

specialed - For sleeping in, outside and in a tent. Seriously though, if this is a serious question, I’ll be using it internationally and domestically, in dry and wet places, respectively. Mostly spring and fall (and winters like this year’s) in the Cascades, but I’m buying it for a trip to Tibet and Nepal (yes drier areas than Cascades). I’m expecting to use this bag down to 10 or 15 degrees. I generally sleep warmer than average. FF- I need the Swift because I’m ‘big boned’ - 6’2” and 210 lbs (so yeah this is where everyone says I shouldn’t be worrying about a few ozs when I’m carrying around an extra 10 lbs…). I have yet to get into a Swallow but I’m pretty sure it will be too small. Both of my other bags are 63-64 inches in the shoulder and that is a good fit for me. I also need a size long bag (6’6”). I’ve tried 6’ bags and they simply don’t work for me. Which leads me to the heavier, size long, Swift. I’ve weighed other FF jackets and bags in the store and found their weights to be accurate. My XL Helios jacket weighs 19 oz (advertised weight for a size M or L (?) is 15 oz so this is probably in line). I’ve weighed my size long Ibis on two different scales and get 55-56 oz. I am planning to come in and talk with you before I make any decisions. And I agree a 1 or 2 oz discrepancy is completely reasonable, but a 5 oz discrepancy just seems a bit on the high side. I’m willing to accept it’s a fluke though. Thanks for the input.

Damn, I out cause of my hairy back, but thats the only reason (well, thats a lie).

I'd recommend using this website and not the advise of strangers (but I guess that would be taking my advise...) CDC Also check Seattle Public Health, they have branches all over. That is where I got my immunizations done. Seattle Public Health Sorry Timcb didn't read your last response until I already posted. that sounds cheaper than what it cost me.

I’m trying to decide between a Feathered Friends Swift (20 degree and add 2 oz of overfill) or a Western Mountaineering Versalite Super (10 degree). I think these two bags would be about the same warmth, but that is just a guess based on various things. Light weight and packability are critical which leans me too the WM but I do like the Epic shell I can get on the Swift. The FF Swift would weigh 2 oz more than the WM at advertised weights. The thing that scares me about the Feathered Friends bag is this; I own a FF Ibis 0 degree bag and it weighs 5 ozs more than the advertised weight. I didn’t get any options on the bag and I even talked to the guy at length when I ordered it about how to make it lighter. I decided against any lighter options. The advertised weight for a size Long Ibis is 51 oz. My bag weighs 56 oz. I know sleeping bags weights can vary, but that is almost a 1/3 of a pound and seems like too much variation. I weighed some WM bags at Jim’s shop and they weighed the advertised weight (to within .5 oz). Any opinions on either of these bags are appreciated. Has anyone else noticed a significant weight discrepancy in their FF bags? How water resistant is the Pertex Quantum? Yes I realize the Epic fabric weighs more than the Pertex quantum fabric that WM uses. Thanks.

We didn't summit Ruth Mt. for various reasons. Snow was suck, lots of recent avy debris (even heard one go off), running out of time, weather moving in, yada, yada, yada. I also didn't ski down very well. We didn't have good snow. But we didn't have a bad time either

As of Saturday (April 9th), you can get to within 1/4 to 1/3 mile from the trailhead with 4 wheel drive. Add 1/8 mile without 4 wheel drive. The trail is mostly snow covered. We probably took off skis a dozen times on the way up to Hannagan Pass. All dry sections of trail where short.

do you have an address or phone number?

There have been thousands of post on the Trango S's. The only difference is now they (EVOs) are waterproof. You might try doing a search for "lightweight boots" or "Trango S". I speak of the Trango S's. You won't find a lighter mountaineering boot. They climb rock like a champ. And they aren't too expensive compared to the NE. They are plenty stiff for their designed use/type of climbing. But there are more comfortable boots to hike in (obvioulsy).

Anyone been up there this week or last? Can you drive all the way to the trailhead? Where does the snow start? With an 88in snowbase at Heather Meadows (baker ski area), I'm wondering how much walking/skinning on the road there will be. TIA. Dustin

I know my buddy wants to get rid of his but he is out of town until the 11th. If you're still interested PM me and I'll put you two in touch. (he is a lurker). I'm not sure of the size.

In general, I've always found that the lines are the shortest from 1 PM onwards. That is the best time to ski because there are no lines, but also the worst from a snow point of view because it is all tracked up by then.... trade off. But my point is I don't think the broken lift had much to do with it. DH it the nail on the head.

That is funky but with custom mods, mine tighten top down, the way I like it. The shoulder strap was designed this way on purpose .... to keep the loose ends from slapping you in the face in windy conditions I have never, ever had the ends slap me in the face! Has anyone else? Maybe I'm not out enough in really windy conditions...

We went down around lunch when the lift broke, then we just took the other lift up with everyone else. The broken lift didn't stop anybody from what I could tell.

Any one else have any thing to say about the FF Vireo? Would you say its about a 25 degree bag when combined with the Volant?

That is funky but with custom mods, mine tighten top down, the way I like it.

Hmm, I was at both places (Marmot and FF) last weekend. Will try again and look specifically for these packs... Marmot carrys all models of CCW packs. I saw them there a couple weeks ago. FF carrys the Chaos and Valdez, but I haven't seen the Chernobyl there. I recommend checking one out in the store and then ordering direct. You can get free custom modifications and you'll be supporting a small company (not that FF isn't though). You save money buy paying no tax and pay ~$6 to $10 for shipping.

The only packs you'll ever need: Cold Cold World I just ordered a Chernobyl to go along with my Valdez and Chaos packs. I can't imagine using anything else. These packs are the best I've seen. Light, bomber, competitively priced, and free custom modifications. I can't imagine anyone having any serious complaints about these packs. I've never heard one. You won't be disappointed.

That's cheap sweet.

Well, I'll check again when I get home. send me a PM to remind me. I suppose the size printed on the side of the shell *could* be UK sizing but that wouldn't really make any sense. Either Italian or US sizing would make since. I have the box at home and I'll check. I'm not sure what the 29.5 size printed on the liner means, I just know my Salomon downhill ski boots are a size 29.5 too.

I wear an 11.5 street and my Alphas are 10.5!! I tried on at least 3 different sizes at the store and that is what fit me. I have the newer version with the thermafit liners. I assume that is what you are ordering? The shell size on the outside of the shell says 10.5-11. The liner size is 29.5 (ski boot sizing). The way the shells work is a 10.5-11 shell accomodates a 29.0 and 29.5 (or is it 29.5 and 30.0?) liner. I don't know if this helps or complicates things for you. I have a wide foot and small arch.