Dr_Crash

Anybody used the Franklin Drop Zone? I've read good reviews (only downsides apparently: no carpet on top and slow to pack), and now that Franklin has a redesigned Drop Zone II the original can be found <$120. drC

Aztar better than Quark for all around? It's a bit lighter, sure. drC

Those Mad Rock shoes? http://www.acmeclimbing.com/browseproducts/Mad-Rock-Fanatic.HTML (on sale at mgear.com for those of you with small or very big feet). Much better than a $45 Superfly? And is the Garmont the "Sticky spin" ($99) and the Teva that one? http://www.teva.com/Apparel_Detail.asp?dept_id=1&sku=6628&sc=sale&g=men&s=1 drC drC

Are the superfly good approach shoes too? Can't see them on the La Sportiva site to find info. drC

Still no backlight on the Avocet, and need to send it off to change battery. Otherwise a great watch according to friends who own one. I'd personally check the combos alti + HRM. drC

I like them fatter anyway (j/k)

B*tch.

Less than marriage sometimes. Pick your poison drC

Post pictures first drC

"Trente cinq" is 25, right? Thank you YA

Oops. Found address one post above. drC

Why don't the Quarks seem very suited to alpine? Would you prefer the Aztar (looking at Petzl's line here) if you had only one pair of ice tools for both alpine and WI? drC

Twight's book was instrumental in helping me pick the rght windshirt. Thanks Mark! drC

Ordered a ricesac. (Yes, dear SnowByrd, I made a decision and I won't and can't return it). Randy was fine with adding tool tubes to a Valdez (and I say Randy rocks for that! It is cool to offer to customize packs) but I want the ability to load 30 lbs in the thing. Once I get comfortable reducing my load to 30 lbs for an overnight I'll move down to something like a modified Valdez. drC

Shit. Cut off windshirts? Where can I buy a cut windshirt? Which one is the lightest? Shall I seam tape the cuts to prevent the fabric from running? Is using a cut off windshirt okay if you're climbing mixed with spurs or do you need more than holes in your garment to be climbing "bareback?" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! All that research to do again. drC

Hmmm... So it's got nothing to do with the Frison-Roche novel then. That one is about the son of a guide who dies lightning struck while climbing the Dru (pushed by an obnoxious American client ;-) who didn't want to turn back when the storm started), and that son's calling to be a guide himself and... read the book drC

You drC

Interesting choice of words to translate "premier de cordée" (rope leader). Great book by Frison-Roche that I am, by coincidence, currently reading. drC

Careful squatting with those on. drC

I haven't had issues using my ax with the yucky cut-off shaft spike in a stake position. But then maybe I didn't meet the right kind of very hard snow. drC

Mammut Matrix needs only 2 and doesn't come with a disclaimer saying it will suck on a wet 8.4 mm rope (which is too big for the Reversino, duh!). Anybody has used it? drC

I haven't used any of these. I have been very happy with my Grivel Air Tech Racing ax. The Raven Pro (BD) is a bit lighter and has a real spike but I find the pick of the Grivel to be nicer. I read an ax test that mentionned the Grivel you're showing and while it was the most comfortable to hold, the author mentionned that the molded cover didn't stand up much to hammering the ax into hard snow... (No surprise, just something you might not be thinking of.) drC

How can you make a rectangle into a square? (Confused.) And yes, I can always buy a different pad. So far, the Ricesac (smaller Icesac) sounds like a good idea, or a Valdez modified to add the Chernobyl goodies (ice tubes, crampon patch). I think I can live with 40 to 45 liters and if I get 50-52 I know I'll fill them... drC

Is the Icesac pad really 11x46 inches? 11 doesn't sound very wide... drC

The randonnee rope (I assume bts has one of the Beal ropes of the same name) will be fine for glacier travel. For not much more money though, one can get a true climbing rope; I got a 37 m 8.4 mm half rope made by Sterling that I use for glacier travel, but has the advantage of also being usable for climbing when someone else brings along another half. 37 m should be good for up to 4 people too (12 m or so between each), though I've never tried that on this very one rope. drC