Dr_Crash

Recommendations? Can you answer in the original thread yet? drC

I am looking for a bouldering pad for my mini boulderer boy. Any recommendations? Cordless D-Lux according to http://www.toprope.com/whatshot/crashpad/crashinreview.htm though I don't know how easy Taco style pads are to carry. I'll do the carry, the mini boulderer being 46" tall. I like him, I don't want him to fall on the ground too much The Bittersweet single wide looks big and a decent price ($129). Metolius has their double size pad on sale for $126 too but that might be too big. Where to find them cheap? Used? Thanks! drC

A note to the people who contributed to having my 'Patagucci houdini' topic locked: don't bother; if you don't have anything to contribute, STFU One jab is fine, too many is dumb. If the WT wind shirt and the Houdini aren't wind proof, what are they good for then? (And good reminder about the forecast NOLSe...). drC

I was thinking the use would be to replace my 13 oz REI ultralight jacket as my emergency-crap-it's-raining thing, and also use it for alpine rock when it's windy. I was going for the WT when someone indicated a hood really is a great feature when it's windy (never has bothered me topo much). NOLSe, what's MT's system? His book is at home, can't have a look now. drC

The Ricesac might be a good idea to make sure I don't overpack Though an overnighter might be tough (I am not as hardcore as my friend Chris yet ) drC

I've narrowed down my windshirt choices to the Wild Things ultra lightweight nylon shirt (4 oz, no hood) or the Patagonia Houdini (6 oz, hood, DWR treatment). I've heard raves about the WT one, nothing about the Houdini. Anybody has it? drC

Assuming they're the same price (they're not), which would you pick? Climbing picked the Icesac w/ the Chernobyl a close second apparently mostly because of the helmet issue. Has anyone seen both? How's the Icesac for emergency bivy (how much of an expansion collar)? Thanks guys, drC PS: and what is CCW's Web site again?

Where is the general search now? It used to be a link at the top... </dumb>

Any reason to do it? Have never done that but since I'm getting some for some fancy shoes, wonder whether the climbing boots deserve similar TLC. drC

Where are you taking your test? VW requires leading on a 5.9, who uses a 5.7? drC

A good compass with a mirror will provide that. I wish someone at Suunto or Silvia or wherever thought about putting an aiming slot in the compass mirror, but you don't have to be 100% precise to attract attention. drC

Graupel as an underlayer sucks, and hoar underneath sure won't help stability! Be careful out there. drC

Yeah, Crystal on the 22nd... We'll see ya there. [/evil] Geez, another birthday today isn't helping the old brain, is it? drC

Micro Puff (2.6 oz Polarguard Delta) 16 oz EP Belay Jacket (6 oz primaloft) 28 oz Ok, 3/4 pound apart. (If comparing with the DAS jacket, only 1 oz apart.) drC

Re: the comparison I didn't ask about the 1.4 oz of weight I asked about warmth. The garments then are nearly a pound apart. drC

I am not worried. I am looking at Wild Things gear and Patagonia. Patagonia puts more Polarguard Delta in their Micro Puff garments than Wild Things puts Primaloft in their EP jacket / pants, for the same total weight or less. Their DAS parka also has about the same amount (5.3 oz / 4 oz in sleeves) of insulation that the Wild Things belay jacket has. I am trying to figure out how to compare them and which one would be best. Both brands are very reputable. Any opinion, NOLSe? drC

Rainier for example. The belay jacket would be for stops, and it definitely gets down to 25 at night. I might also get that when backcountry skiing, in case I need to do an unplanned bivy. Patagonia's micro puff pants look warmer and lighter than the Wild Things EP Pants but still are an extra 14 oz. Argh. Any idea how the 6 oz of Primaloft compare to 2.6 oz of Polarguard Delta (what the Patagonia Micro Puff is made of)? drC

Pants on snow would be REI One heavyweight (to be replaced by some Mammut Champ, not as insulated I think), on rock some Arc'teryx Shaska pants. I don't think I would sleep w/o insulation, mostly against the wind. Brrrrr. drC

Web site for Nunatuk? Why did you choose this combo (looks like you have it) instead of say something like the alternative I am considering? How "liberal" is the 20 rating in your opinion? If I go for something like that my other layers will be merino bottom / capilene top and a Marmot driclime wind jacket. drC

I've read that Polarguard provides more warmth for the weight and more longevity (if using the continuous fibers version). Informed opinions? YA

I am thinking of dropping my 23 degrees synthetic bag in favor of a combination EP Half Bag / Belay Jacket. Wild Things says the combination would be rated at about 20-25. Total weight would be 52 oz (24 oz for the bag and 28 oz for the jacket). I do not know about how much room it would take in a pack and have asked them. Has anybody used that bag in real life? Comments? Another possibility would be a sub-kilo 20 bag (34 oz) and a Patagonia micro puff Polarguard jacket (16 oz) for a tad less weight (50 oz total) and more warmth (since I'll want to carry a jacket anyway), without the water resistance advantage of synthetic for the bag. What would you guys with experience think would fly better for the Cascades? Do not put price in the equation. Thanks, YA

How would you compare the Quark to the Aztar (a bit lighter, less clearance, and fixed adze/hammer) as far as an all-purpose tool for alpine and waterfall? drC

I would recommend against getting the Pieps DSP advanced. My only reason is the temptation to get the thing out to play with the compass / altitude. The extra $75 they're asking is close enough to get you a separate dedicated instrument that will ensure that your beacon will be where it should be at all times: next to your skin or skin layer. drC

I love my Barryvox. Very small, lightweight, excellent harness. I love the customization, and the fact that I can train with both analog and digital modes; this way when someone who never used a beacon shows up with a rental F1, I can get the F1 and give them my Barryvox to find me I'll give them my big metal shovel and take their Lexan crappy one too I am shopping for a second beacon. I was going to buy another Barryvox, but will get a Pieps I think. The price difference is not that much, and if you've practiced looking for multiple victims, you'll see where the Pieps has a great advantage. If you have practiced digging somebody out, you'll also appreciate the time that can be saved just flagging a found victim and moving on. Its disadvantage is the narrower reception band which may not help find older beacons with a deviating emission frequency... (I am over the ghost issue after speaking to folks at Liberty Mountain.) I've used Trackers too and they're great, very simple to use and idiotproof, and have more range than Barryvox in digital mode. They're very bulky comparatively. drC

Anybody has experience to share? I am looking to replace my REI One pants, and the Mammut seems to have the features I want. I am looking at the Champ and the Castor (and I am looking online...) Bentgate claims here (http://store.bentgate.com/caspanbymam.html) that the Castor is waterproof but Mammut's Web site lists both the Champ and the Castor as being made of Scholler Dryskin Extreme. Any idea? Thanks! drC (My son wants me to add this to my post: - Here you go, darling.)