cracked

The $15 specials from the nameless shoe stores work pretty well for hiking. And they're cheap! I refuse to buy shoes that cost more than a camalot.

My picks do the same, as do my Whippets. They can't use stainless for the picks because it's too soft. Don't worry about it.

Like those alcohol gel thingies?

I feel sorry for the server. I'm guessing it'll commit suicide soon.

I'll bring them back to REI for a refund.

I have a pair of the Smartwool Mountainear socks. On a recent ski trip, they got soaked. I took them off and put them on my chest, next to my skin, to dry them overnight. In the morning, they were still very damp. They also smelled worse than anything I've smelled in my life (like week-old un-neutered cat's piss). So where did wool get the reputation for being non-stinky and reasonably fast drying? I bought some Thorlo synthetics, and they don't stink very much, dry extremely fast, and work better. So what gives?

Compared to this steaksauce bullshit Trask was great stuff.

I'm bored, too. Rather than work, I prefer fantasizing about the mountains.

Go for it.

Finally!

Spandura is not quite Scholler. Even less water resistant and wind resistant. Seam tape will not stick to fabrics that are not smooth, it will not work on Scholler/spandura. Plus, why bother, the pants are nowhere near waterproof anyway. If you sew it it will look like shit unless you sew a scuff guard over the entire affected area. If you use a sewing machine, make sure to use a large zigzag stich so the area will still stretch. I'd just leave them alone unless the hole is REALLY big.

That's a pretty perfect size in my experience. But The Greatest Pack in the World is better.

The teddy ruxpin thing is way lame. Friction is hilarious.

I thought that Thinker's avatar is her mugshot?

No retailer in their right mind stocks anything above 12. You gotta order from the manufacturers, I got my Scarpas straight from BD.

I just sew it myself. Arc'teryx sucks the big HC. So do NF and MH. Oh, and by the way.

Don't you use ice tools and warthogs driven into the chalk there?

SWEET.

I'm size 13/14 and got some Scarpa Freney XTs this winter, size 48. I ordered them sans trying them on, and luckily, they fit. Just barely long enough. Koflach makes huge plastics (I think) and the Lowa Civetta goes up to size 16. Crampons become an issue, too. Good luck.

WTF IS A 'LOOSER'?????/

Reading comprehension isn't your strong point, I see. The designs looks fine, but I can't have an opinion without having at least tried the stuff on. I was simply pointing out that your argument based on the climbing ability of the dude is flawed. The gorts were unique in that, to my knowledge, there are no other simple nylon pants with a crotch gusset. Other than that, they were crude, but worked very well.

Dru.

So what gear of his have you used? Probably a lot, since you're so sure that it works so well. Spill the beans. You don't seem to get it. BEING A GOOD CLIMBER DOESN'T MAKE YOU A GOOD DESIGNER. Indeed, being a 'cool guy' and/or 'the real deal' doesn't make you a good designer, either. I don't care what he's climbed, all it does is make a marketable image for his products.