robpatterson5

Any advice on stabilizing a foot inside a pair of boots? I really like my boots and they fit well, but there is a tendency for my foot to slide forward when climbing ice and bang off the front of my boots - not nice! Fit is great elsewhere, no heel lift, ect, great except for this. Anyone have something smiler? How did you fix it?

honestly thats what Ièm thinking - Ièd also like to know what about the Xenos makes it so much better then the aspect lol leaning towards the arcteryx béc I dont always do easy stuff and just like the packability, nice for after work, also lets me get by with a smaller pack and there is less wearing the harness on the approch. Probaly will get the Aspect if the 350 doesnt go on sale soon

Thanks all, sounds like the 350 might be the ticket - anyone have experience adding a 6in quickdraw around the waist loop as a haul loop?

Thanks all, think if I was just getting it for alpine I'd grab the really light petzl harness, looking for more of a all rounder - anyone know how small the Xenos folds down? I just heard from the arcteryx rep that the 350a is not going to be changed this spring, which is too bad - I had hoped for another clipper slot and a tag loop

So my BD Blizzard is on its last legs and I've been looking for a replacement for some time. Seems like there are a few options and I thought I would ask around what people like? I'm looking for one harness for everything, ice, trad, sport, whatever mountains/skiing/glacier travel I do, ect - although the BD Colouir does look nice for slogs/skiing. The BD replacement for the Blizzard looks nice, as does the Xenos - I'm not sure if the Xenos is worth the extra cost though, and the Arcteryx 350a beats both of the BD harnesses on weight/bulk... That said I'm not sure about the durability and have heard that the ArcTeryx harnesses do not carry a bunch of trad gear well. What are people using, what do you recommend? I'm looking for something with 4ish gear loops, clipper slots and a haul loop, and leaning towards the BD replacement for the Blizzard b/c of price - still the arcteryx is tempting, not least b/c it packs down so small - to be honest its nice for packing and nice for going to the gym mid-week Any recommendations?

If I were buying a pack specifically for touring I would only buy one with a Avylung or ABS in it. If I wore a avylung as part of my clothing I'd double up on my safety and get one of the BCA ABS packs, otherwise I think personally I would grab a BD clamshell. I've actually never owned a touring specific pack but if thats what your getting it for I dont think there is any sense or reason not to as twight puts it "make you harder to kill." Avylung pack or ABS is what I'd get, probably the lung

Doesn't sound like its in Canada, but if anyone has a coupon I'd love to grab a copy.

jeeze I wish the Canadian stores had pricing like that!

any idea how high the spike plug goes up the shaft on the Ravens? I'd like to attach a slider to mine but need to put some stopper screws into the base.

post up the outcomes of the conversation!

no worries - I was wondering what people thought of the semi vs automatic bindings for WI? I'll be using them with Nepal Evos and Spantiks

Hi - I'm well aware of that. What I was wondering about is peoples experience with the different bindings for WI3-4? Its less a question of boot fit then of the bindings themselves

Hi all - wondering what people thought of semi-auto vs. automatic crampon bindings? Basically between a wire toe and flip heel and flip heel and basket toe? When I bought my first pair of crampons I got G14 semi-autos b/c they also fit my summer boots - later I bought semi-auto saber teeth. I have used the automatic G14s and liked them, and they felt more secure - but thought I'd ask around before cutting off the current toe-basket mounts

MEC in Canada carries them as part of their summer stock, 60L=$60 - they are great, with a harness I love them for whitewater boating. Totally waterproof and seem 80-90% rodent proof

Was looking at the 6000s but was advised to go with La Sportiva by the guys at the Mountineer as they had a wider last.

Hi John it was on the grivel website, looks like the old one would be more secure on the tool your talking about, this one is all plastic.

Really just alpine ice in the Canadian Rockies. I had a simple twist leash on my Raven (just a piece of webbing) and really liked it. Routes like the Kain Face; Athabaska n face; ski trips; peakbagging on the icefields and closer to home. I usually either take my 60 or 50cm Venom depending on the route. I was looking for something more less fiddly to get out of then the stock leash though, but more supportive then my tied webbing version from my Raven. I also use the Venom's as a loaner set on easy WI For most stuff (incl AI) I like to go leashless but the Venoms are a bit hard to adapt to that - although last night I saw that Grivel has a new slider which might work well. So anyways that was my thinking - I'm still a little tempted by the twist leash, or just getting the BD simple leash

thanks, not really a fan of the leashes that came with it and thought this would be quicker and less fiddley, Twights endorsement in his book got me interested

Not that long ago I saw someone with a BD one, looked good, anyone have any thoughts on them? I was thinking of making/buying one for a pair of Venoms

Last year these guys had them (and the angles) http://www.silvertipmountaincenter.com/silvertipmountaincenter_g43.html?catId=335368 http://climbinggearinc.com/ushba-alpine-pitons-p-495.html http://sicksport.com/rock-climbing-climbing-bolts-hangers-c-48_52/ushba-ti-alpine-piton-3-p-475

geogratis.ca, all the NTS topomaps you buy from the store and datasets are in the public domain. Just print what you need from the Topo on waterproof paper and go

for those of us in Canada http://www.wildernesssupply.ca/subcat.php?sSID=2afe326e142733fd46fa90362d552a68&nCategoryID=31 , eh

you can cut down the Al BD poles with a hacksaw, just slip the lock off and go for it - you'll need to cut a new expansion joint once you cut it down

I'd stay away from the BD Winter Bivy for rain, a few drops it is fine for but rain will come through.

G-spotter I'm curious, do you really find that warm enough? My experience has been that a 60gm Primaloft Sport hoody was pretty marginal. Nice during the day or evening but not enough on an unplanned bivy. 40gm seems like a nice layer for moving in! I now carry a compressor hoody as I like having a little bit of extra insulation if we get caught out, the BPL cocoon parka has been good too but now mostly take the compressor. If anything this might work better with a wp/b shell: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627243&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302884890&bmUID=1273775450438, seamseal it and you could maybe ditch the rain shell...