kioti

Yeah, K2's Website is crap. It also looks like we might be recalling different specs. I don't remember last years (and def. not 1st Gen) having that wide of a shovel... They added a little bit of marketing FAT to the ski it sounds like. Interesting that McLean is designing skis for k2, when he's working with BD, I wonder if Atomic doesn't want an american in their factory or something?

It's not that I don't like to go fast. I felt like the 1st Gen. Shuksan ONLY went fast well. Lower speed were hard to load and jump turn IMO. Also I think the Shuksan's TR is closer to 21m

They are pretty rockin' for a lightweight ski. They use a similar construction to some of the fischer XC skis. Basically they hollow out ribs in the wood core. To make up for the missing wood, they use a carbon top sheet. It makes a pretty stiff, light, rigid ski. Durability would be suspect though. I look at the HK as a great quiver ski to have dynafits on. But the Shuksan would be a better do it all ski...

Does anyone know if Montrail will be re-releasing their crampons? I picked up a pair of Lotus GTX's a while back and have been using my sabertooths with them. Thinking about getting a forged point crampon, but like the idea of using the ICE system. Any word on that? PS Originally Montrail told me not to use the Sabretooth Crampons, after the recall, they endorse using the Sabretooth. Alan

I think the shuksan is an awesome all around ski. Plenty stiff and torsionally rigid. With the older models I found that they like to go fast, but it seems like they solved that with the newer ones. I really liked my Havocs when I had them, and I'll also fully endorse the Naxo Binding. If you have a few extra bills in the pocket, the Dynastar 8000 is wicked. Same dimensions as the Shuksan, but lighter and stiffer. Uses a Sisal stiffener (Sisal is that same crap that some doormats are made of). A super fun ski, I've had it on hard pack on bachelor and knee deep in snowbird. Havn't had a chance to skin with it, but I don't see why it wouldn't perform as well as the shuksan. Its about 200 bucks more than the shuksan though. That might be the ski that I get next season, if the pocketbook will allow it.

It seems that Suunto has a pretty sweet offering in the HRM game. Yeah the X6HR is awesome and get that if you have a spare $500. But they have a new one called the X3(just like the BMW you drive around) that retails for $150, but I've seen it cheaper at many different places. Ch-check it out

Montrail Masai Running Shoes, they were super comfortable, but they pretty much disintegrated. On the plus side, montrail did replace them with another model. On the minus side, the shoes they replaced them with aren't nearly as comfortable or as flexible. *SIGH* For the most part though, I just avoid buying crap.

HEY! I thought I heard barry was back in town. Unfortunatly I moved to Portland in June. Good to see you back near the Cascades. As for Sleeping Bag, I put a vote in for the Marmot Helium EQ. More expensive than the Spectre, but lighter, Water Resistant, and 900 fill down. WOO Alan

I wear a 45 regularly but my marathons are 43.5 and fit great, couldn't imagine going bigger. I have a pair of 5.10 slippers that are 45 and I can't wear them. Anyone want to buy a pair of V10s?

I second the Marathon. Unlined, cushy heel, holds up pretty well. just turns your feet yellow.

Head south to Eugene area, Check out Silver Fall State Park. I havn't been there yet (just moved to Portland) but it sounds like there is a great trail there with 10 waterfalls, 4 of which you can walk behind. Alan

Does anyone have experience with the crowds following the Moab Jeep Safari? I'll be arriving in Moab a few days after the official end of the event, just wondering if I'll have to fight off skeezy jeep sluts. Maybe I won't fight them off though.

Nordstroms the department store did not buy OR. OR was bought by a child of the Nordstroms dynasty, however. It seems he's a fairly reputable person, so hopefully OR remains around as they always have. Their prices have dropped a bit since the swap in ownership. Crocs aren't over $60. The gloves have come down in price. Seems like a good thing. As for the BD gloves, I have a few floating around at my shop, I'll check to see if any are your size. Alan

Those are the hottest looking skis I have ever seen. Looks like they hired Terrentino to do the graphics for the Rev. Sweet!

I had the precip for a while, but found I out performed it. I upgraded my jacket to a goretex paclite jacket (Sirrus SL from Arcteryx.) And have been infinatly happier with it. Paclite is more breathable, more durable and less clammy than the precip, in my opinion. I've also found that when the precip does wet out, it tends to get kind of saggy, which I havn't seen happen to the packlite. I think my jacket is a little bit heavier (only a two ounces or something like that) but I'm willing to carry the extra weight when I have something that will last longer, keep my comfotable, and have a hood adjustment system that is lightyears ahead of the precip jacket (any marmot jacket for that matter) Precip= Paclite= Alan

The new Freneys are built on an anatomical last. Basically, it is curved. The idea behind that is to match the curve of your boot to the curve of your foot. Result: You might be able to find a place on the boot that is more solid to stand on; it allows your foot to sit a little more neutrally. I have a pair (Freney Pro), but they are TOO curved for me. Tons of room on my big toe side, no room on the little toe side. I've tried on the XT and it was better on my foot than the Pro, wierd Mine also are for sale in the Yard Sale forum (only $100, almost new) Alan

no, they changed it from the black fabric crap to the rubber. sorry for the lack of clarification...

The rand on the 7 LTRs are Rubber. And yes, they changed the rand on the SM lite after a year or so of it being out.

Yeah, hit the Mt Si Tavern. We need to over run that place with climbers and whitewater boaters. Make the loggers and mill workers uncomfortable. Seriously though, Mostly nice people at the Mt Si, pool and darts. The Big lady will challenge you at pool though, so watch yourself, she's good. Alan

Put the canister under your pillow... the canister fairy will be in shortly. Response to a previous comment about how they can refill home propane tanks. Those are heavier built. The canisters are built with weight in mind. If they were to over build them to prevent bends and dings from exploding when they are repressurized, they would be much heavier. That is not a good thing.

Get some reusable hand warmers (the gel ones that are kind of hard to find any more, they used to make round ones that fit under a canister well.) You don't want to use a wind screen around many canister stoves either. This will cause heat around the canister, but will cause the canister to explode. You may also want to consider what type of fuel you are using. Most propane/butane mixes work with the stove. But some have more propane than butane, and vice-versa. The more propane the hotter it burns. I think MSR has the highest propane content at this time. Companies have to cut the propane, which is the better gas, with butane because propane is too high pressure. They would have to over build canisters and come out looking something like a mini propane tank that you have on your barbeque. Most good store staff will know which canisters work best at altitude. If not, buy a few of them and see what works best for you. I've had best experiences with the MSR IsoPro though. Alan

The montrail lotus gtx looks pretty sweet. I don't know how well it would fit your foot, given that you were in Makalus prior to loosing them. I'll probably buy a pair of the montrails as soon as I sell my other boots (sz 45 scarpa freney pro, BARELY used (this shameless ad plug brought to you by midol.)) Try on some boots. If you havn't checked the garmonts out, do. see what fits.

I just heard that there were three WA ice climbers that were caught in an avalanche up in Banff. Apparently, two were killed and one is 'missing'. Wondering if anyone has heard anything on this yet. I have aquaintences that are up climbing... hope it's not them. Best hope and wishes to the missing climber and the families of all the climbers. Alan