Zoran

Terrible news! Both were an exceptional climbers ... Condolences to their families and friends. Artun's death will impact his partners. Colin lost a very good friend. Very sad news for all of us ...

Call Liberty Mountain to order replacements (right now they don't have them in stock, unfortunately). I just checked.

I don't own Neo-Shell garment yet. Maybe you don't know but Cloudveil is making one for this coming fall. It's called Cold Peak or something like that. I would like to see it. Cloudveil making great stuff. Mammut and Eider have Neo-Shell garments but Eider won't be available in US this season.

Thank you for your comment Mtguide. I hope guys will be back to the base soon and unscratched.

Great hiking trip. I like cherry pies from Hanceville. Chilko Lake is beautiful lake and spring skiing from peaks down to Goddard Glacier is very good. I like the place very much.

If someone can beat this, it's you. You are a strong man. Just keep fighting. Don't slow down.

Hafilax, Dane is softshell guru. I read his blog very frequently and hope I will find the review of my future jacket there. Just a comment about materials... TNF Kishtwar is made of Polartec Power Shield Pro. Fabric: 224 g⁄m² (6.61 oz⁄yd²) Polartec® Power Shield® Pro - 84% polyester 16% elastane Average Weight: 599 g (21.2 oz) Inseam⁄Center Back Length: 29" Marmot Pro Tour is not. It's made of Marmot's M2 and Polartec®Power Shield® O2. I am not sure about percentage. And it's shorter (to accommodate harness.) Center Back Length: 27.5in / 69.9cm Weight: 1 lbs 3.1 oz / 541.5 g Main Material: Polartec®Power Shield® O2 70% Polyester, 30% Nylon 4.8 oz/yd Another jacket made of Polartec®Power Shield® O2 is Arcteryx Hercules Hooded Fleece Jacket. If you track this one at least you can try it in some stores to see is this what you looking for? I also overheat during hiking or uphill ski touring. I am looking for a jacket I won't take off during the steep and long approach (Grouse Grind in October is a good testing ground), windproof, excellent rain protection, light, warm while belaying, packable, little shorter not to interfere with harness and gear, colorful, with the hood, higher pocket zippers, arm pocket for iPod ... Couldn't find it so far, but I would like to check new NeoShell. Marmot Zion is just 510g. Off to check Dane's blog. Maybe he just posted the review of the jacket I am looking for? :-)

If it's not Ferrosi maybe is Contour. I have that shirt but it's too thin for rain and snow.

I will be there!

Steph, you are so talented. John is awesome too. He was scheduled to give us a slide show in Vancouver but he was sidetracked by his trip to China. It will be nice to see your slide show here in Vancouver one day.

Try Valandre ... They are better.

Look how innovative Mark Richey is during the climb on Saser Kangri II: Saser Kangri II

Very good work guys! Congratulations ... Amazing place to be!

Do you know when will be out? Can't wait to have it ...

I have two. I like them only because they bring some memories from old times I started climbing. I first tried ice in Tamar valley, Slovenia but haven't used them there. Slovenian instructors used them and some Austrian hardware. I always carry one on alpine climbs to leave it behind. It didn't happen so far ... My set is Petzl (and few Grivels). Having Titanium screw to leave, makes less impact on the budget. I got them long time ago in Yugoslavia, when friend came from Pik Korzenjevska. I also have this pitons from the pictures. One with hole we called Bongs. Russians were trading them for silk leggings for their girlfriends. Friend told me Russians had a big box full of titanium hardware. We heard, they climbed unbelievable routes with this screws but no one was reporting that outside of Russia. Also, no one was reporting accidents and deaths caused using this screws. It was very closed climbing community and they shared experiences only between themselves. Now is very different. I also believe this screws are very unreliable but if we can see some reports from NWA based on data from Russia it will help.

If I understand this, looks like you having an issue with the pack fit, not really with the companies or manufacturers. I also, reached the point when I really don't look who is who (is it Cilo or MH, or TNF ...) I don't really care ... I would like to find perfect fit. I regret selling my Arcteryx Needle 65 pack long time ago. I wanted something different and made big mistake. But maybe things will get better soon. If you can wait for Spring 2012, new Arcteryx No-Zone 55 is coming. They are going back to regular top lid for this model. No dry bag and fancy suspensions I don't like. I would like to have classic pack up to 60lit. I think I will go for this new Arcteryx pack. At this moment I have Pieps Plecotus 36 and Lowe Alpine TFX10 for big trips. I would like to have something similar to my old Needle 65.

Messner was talking about quality of the climbing not about quality of the climbers life. There are not many professional climbers who can live from sponsors but still some climbers want to break into that circle.

I can't present all interview since is in paper magazine but it's really interesting. At one moment he mention drugs as one of the big issues in modern climbing. He probably meant performance enhancement drugs ... Issue is that climbing is not regulated sport like boxing or cycling. What do you think about this? We mostly discuss sponsorships and other issues but never mention drugs as problem. He gave great compliment to USA climbers saying there are about 20 great professional climbers in US, 10 in Europe and few in Japan. He also was talking about David Lama (how Red Bull used him) and how Christian Stangl cheated. Reason for that was great pressure to break into elite. Some climbers will do anything to get into elite circle of top professional climbers.

I don't think TNF Fission is available. It's discontinued too.

Jeff Lowe opens his backpack 20 years later

Can you bike a little? In lower gears of course. My PT recommended it and I feel much better. I also follow his suggested exercises for example making squats but supported by wall. Not deep squats, very slowly down and than move up to extend both legs gently (30 repetitions). Also I jump sideways in the swimming pool. Water helps ... On the street I try to walk normally. That is very important. Don't rush, just try to walk as you walked before the injury. Go to see PT or good doctor. Have a MRI ...

Price of the Element II is very good. I would go for 60mm option. Mammut Supersafe is great but you can't find it below 230$.

Marmot makes this for Europe only ... http://www.alpineexposures.com/pages/marmot-tour-pro-ii-salopettes

I am sorry to hear about your knee issue Marcin. I injured myself in February and still waiting for my MRI (maybe will be done in June). Had my PT exam, xray, family doctor exam and orthopedic surgeon exams. PT said it's ACL but surgeon is not 100% sure how bad it is. In Canada we wait long for free exam if we don't have money (about 850$) for next day private scan. Looks like I will have my exam in June. Still limping and sometimes feel my knee will collapse under me. Sometimes is just fine but I still limp slightly. Not wearing brace since I am not doing any climbing yet but feel some pain. I just hope it's not seriously bad. I am probably in some kind of denial and in June I will be hit hard with my results. I am so happy for you Tyson. It's good to hear you doing well. I am very disappointed with my situation. I am scared to think I won't be able to go deeper into mountains to climb or ski.

Europeans were first to introduce softshell pants and hardshell top combination. Now they reversed items, and wear hardshell pants and softshell tops. When they will make up their mind? Or looks like they have a difficulties organizing their drawer. Need help to match clothes on the hanger? Jeezzz! :-)