Zoran

I would like to ski Shasta and Lassen in early June (in 7 days window, including drive from Vancouver BC). I hope there will be enough snow and I am looking forward to see the mountains Z

That is the best characteristic of the team player, Alpinefox. To build a partner involves a lot of work and time. When you are done and ready for target, he got married and buys new BBQ (good deal in Wall-Mart), or switch to watch Hokey Night in Canada. Sometimes you have to accept the risk to achieve the goal. Erewhon climbed Denali 3 times and has extensive experience. If he has inexperienced but ambitious members of the team and high level of discipline in the group, everything will be OK. Whoever signs should accept his standards. Objective hazards are the same. Mountain will select who will be on top.

That is why we have MEC to always weight product before post it on their web site or catalogues. It will be interesting to see ad you have. Cloudveil site says 36 ounces. http://cloudveil.com/product.php?sku=F4-3106&cat=19982 Z

Have you checked your pockets and removed two cans of beer from last trip? Joke! Seriously, I never checked weight of my Enclosure jacket (I have no parka). I'll do that in the grocery store soon and post reply to see did they make mistake with jacket too. I have no small scale at home.

I read scary stories about injuries skiing with 404/500 WITH ski boots. Z

You did good! I am glad that Oleg like up here. Plenty of routes waiting for you guys! Keep up good work. Z

Don't apologize. Nice pictures and good trip. Thank you for the report. Z

Thanks so much for your time. Z

My friend from Europe will spend winter in Pullman (University). Do you have any suggestion for him what to bring to play around the city (rock gear, backcountry skiing, ice tools ...)? I am not familiar with the area but I am positive you will give him some ideas. Thanks. Zoran

My friend from Europe will spend winter in Pullman (University). Do you have any suggestion for him what to bring to play around (rock gear, backcountry skiing, ice tools ...)? I am not familiar with the area but I am positive you will give some ideas.

I have similar dilemma. I was in MEC and talked to a specialist, about my feet and which boots I should buy. My advice to you is to go and visit all stores and try, try and try as many different boots as you have available! If you pick perfect boot for your feet, you will be in great position to enjoy ski touring 100%! Believe me! Your feet are not same as mine and maybe your left foot is different than right. That is absolutely normal. I skied last season in Scarpa Denali XT and it's enough! Now I am switching to Dynafit bindings and I am looking forward to try Dynafit Aero boots. http://www.barrabes.com/barrabes/product.asp?dept_id=554&pf_id=12403&opt= They will be in MEC at the middle of November. If this boot doesn't fit I will be in trouble because my second choice will be boot I can't try. I can only order them over the net. It will be a gamble , but ...

This is amazing! Thanks so much for this. Z

Possibly the best advice! To understand value of Drew's advice do this exercise: After next trip separate ONLY STUFF YOU USED and try to fit that in 30 lit pack. Bring only that stuff to next trip and keep track what you missing. Adjust stuff acordingly for next trip. Keep track of that. You can go to 20 lit target if you like, but I think is to much. I personally stopped at 30 lit level. My friend have different view. He is close to 20 lit volume pack for overnight trip (for example, for Spearhead Traverse). I am very uncomfortable with that.

As a beginner I didn't have a choice. My instructor took me to 5.6 North American grade, IV UIAA grade. That was the rule and we push harder latter when we were alone. In school we even had place where to sit in the hut. No mixing with "real" climbers! That is why many of us came here to North America to look for feedom. Now, we sitting on the couch watching hockey. Z

How was the driving? Is your truck in one piece?

BTW, Ziff I heard from my friend that Serratus is going out of business soon. I really liked some of their compression bags.

I have very light Deuter pack (35 lit) for day trips and most of ski trips around Vancouver, BC. www.deuter.com Using down superlight -5C sleeping bag, shells and synthetic jacket I managed to do many overnight trips where we beat the weather. My concern is now trekking or long ski traverses in near future. Are all of you who exploring light and fast options just don't look into ski traverses and week long trips anymore? Especially, I am looking to hear model of your BIG pack sitting in the corner collecting dust. At the same time I am constantly applying light and fast tips for myself. After doing that for a long time I am so stressed out when I see how heavy some packs are. How about you? Z

Go ahead Colin! Z

Looks so good. Congratulations on excellent alpine climb! Z

JayB, I agree with you. I had same experience long time ago and I stopped using any down product for several years. I am using one very good syntetic jacket from local manufacturer here in BC Fusion model, with Sympatex shell over (in winter conditions). Here it is: http://www.navarrogear.com/productmaster.html It's cheaper than MEC (when they have sale!) If I have enough money I will buy Cloudveil jacket for sure. It's piece of art! Z

How about this: http://www.cloudveil.com/product.php?sku=F4-3106&cat=19982 Z

Just wait a little. We will be part of USA when you run out of water. At the moment you really need something from us, you will eat us for breakfast. I won't be happy but you will have one more vote against Bush. Hey, What are the requirements to get Mexican citizenship? Z

Absolutely beautiful! ALPINIST editors can learn from this site. One thing for sure: information should be free. You can't charge for everything. Z

My friend gave me Fugawi DVD for BC only, to have look and I think is great option. They have 250,000 and 50,000 maps there. If you purchase Fugawi software for GPS, you can upload map and there you go. I don't know can you upload Fugawi maps to GPS with other software. I didn't spend enough time on their web site. Paul is right when he said that in general Fugawi is cheaper option (you can print only small bits of the area). BTW, They copyrighted their DVD very carefully. Zoran

I have Evo. My previous axe was Camp alpine model (10 years old) and little bit short. I am very happy how Evo looks like and especially with weight. I am sure you will love it. I have to practice self arrest to see is russ right pointing to possible issue. I can't see problem and I think it will work even better than traditionaly designed axes. I'll let you know. Z