robpatterson5

That looks awesome! it just cams in place on the end? Does it stay on? Someone suggested putting a hose clap on the end and putting a Slider above that but was wondering what others were using. Do you find the mass of your slider changes the swing much?

Anyone fit sliders onto the BD Venoms? Were you still able to use them as sliders or did you have to crank them tight?

ya, wondering what peoples experices have been with an unmatched pair? The hammer seems preatty solid for WI, nice loaner in leu of my Cobras.

Thought I would revise this thread to ask about peoples experinces with one longer tool. Thinking about replacing the reaven pro with a 60cm Vennom, or should I go with a 50 to match my Vennom hammer?

You'll be fine, thats 2cm of room @the tip, 1cm at the waist and some overlap at the tail. Your two edges take up about 1cm and that other 1cm at the tip should not matter. I don't think you'll have any issues except occasionally (edging into very firm snow as you sidehill).

Sounds like Cobera's still climb ice better? Tempted but maybe the Nomic would make a more versatile mixed/hard/secound ice tool?

Wow, a real personal inspiration, one of the nicest guys, a living legend - my best wishes are with his family.

So, anyone have a Vireo for sale? Andy Kirkpatrick has a good post about this on his blog.

Still trying to. I need to go to MEC to take a look at the Highlite but I'm thinking a Verio in Nano or eVent and maybe an oz or two extra fill. What are you thinking? I'm also looking at Montbell ect for a good price on one of their lite bags.

FYI - http://collectibles.shop.ebay.com/Militaria-/13956/i.html?_nkw=wild+thing&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282 found this the other night, I'm thinking I might go with the Vireo or a Megalite

I was thinking the Phantom b/c when it goes on sale it will hit a really good price point, it is a far second choice though - looks really flat. Sounds like the Viero is the top choice - do people tend to bring bivy sacks with it for rock routes? Paired w/ a small tarp seems like it could do that way a bit? Also how high are people sizing it, neck height, shoulder height? I was just checking ebay - a little too heavy for me I'm thinking - but the WT Half Bag can be had new for about $50-army surplus! Still @ that weigt might as well bring the 20degree down.

Thanks - I'm thinking its going to be a Viero, or a MH Phantom. I think what I like most about the Viero is the chance to leave the bivy bag at home on rock routes, even with the chance of some wind, snow/rain/grapel, esp when paired with a small tarp. It sounds like with my summer layers (100 weight fleece hoody, 200 weight vest, and micropuff pullover) that I could reasonably stretch the bag into the 20degree range and expect some degree of comfort. Any suggestions on what length to get? Under the armpits, or so it cinches at the neck? Tomtom, is that becouse of the shell fabric, or the extra fill? I had a WM Ultralite but sold it for the Apache as the shell was just too fragile to be used here without a bivy bag.

Thanks Fromage that's a big help, I think I'll just be careful with the bag. Could I get you to comment on the clothing I'll be using in the bag and if it would be enough for you to be reasonably comfortable around freezing?

I was also wondering how well the Nano worked with a bit of rain, but also sharp limestone - considering the EPIC or eVent b/c that.

Thanks all - I was thinking about the Vireo. Actually what I was thinking would be idea would be one of the first generation of TNF Beeline bags - you know the ones w/o any zipper at all. The WM Highlite seemed like the closest to that. That said I'm seriously considering the Viero now! My main question is how much insulation do you wear ontop? Right now I'm carrying a R1 hoody, hat, windshirt, light wp/b shell, BMW Cocoon Pro Hoody, and a R2 or micropuff vest. I was planning to wear most of that in the highlite - would that be enough camping on a glacier @11,000 feet? I'm thinking Robson; also trips into the bugaboos. Really I'll be using in AB/BC for summer climbs and already have a good 2lb 20degree down bag.

Hi, just wondering what people are using as a UL bag in the summer? Maybe some of you are bringing quilts? How are draft? Using quilts on a bivy? I was looking at the WM Highlite and wearing my clothing in it. Really looking for the lightest bag I can be comfortable in. Plan to wear my BMW Cocoon hoody (summer belay jacket) and R1 hoody in it on cold nights. Mainly climb in AB/BC and would like it to be warm enough for routes like the Kain Face on Robson where you are spending some time on a glacier (3/4 Prolite4 w/ foot pad), or take on routes like the E. Ridge of Temple, but again weight is a big question - wondering how light people have had success going?

Thanks Dane - I'm thinking the MX may be in my future - the pata looks WARM! Too bad though, what I really liked about the mixmaster was that they targeted different areas with more or less insulation - that and it was a really trim fit, something that pata seems to be moving away from If anyone else has any softshells that they really like I'd love to hear.

hey thinking about replacing my favorite ice/alpine jacket - a pata mixmaster - wondering about peoples thoughts, the Speed Ascent or a MX hoody? I really like the mixmaster w/ its heavier and lighter fleeces - is anyone making anything as good?

Syndicate when were you on Robson? We came on to the mountain at the end of that heatwave - how did it go for you?

Dane, have you looked at the ArcTeryx Duality parka? Any thoughts? I saw it in store and thought that it looked good - wondering if you have any imput. I've been happy w/ my BPL Pro Parka and DAS, summer and winter.

paclite or precip and softshell or windshirt have served me well, you will trash the gore-tex (and the softshell) though. I like my Gamma AR pants (would advise against black), but use my full-zip paclite pants rarly - but have been glad the few times I needed them though.

Having used the MEC Brio series I would not recommend them for alpine goodness, instead I would recommend the MEC Alpinlite or Genie 45. The Brio is much more of a hiking pack rather then something that you can really climb in. You really need to be able to remove the stays and plastic sheet.

FYI - http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=375243

I just love having a great piece of equipment that I know has been designed specifically for keeping me warm and dry. No reason to buy the most expensive, but I do use my equipment, relay on it, and can afford to put some money into it. Will the wallmart fleece/puptent/puffy/ect work - YES! ... Most of the time. I just prefer not to use gear that pisses me off, and the features, weight, and quality of some of that gear does. SOME of it is great though. My point is that brand name gear DOES NOT have to be expensive (used, sales, ect), and most of that time it preforms and lasts significantly better and longer then the cheap stuff. Sometimes the cheap stuff is great when you want something for just one trip. But most of the time I would prefer quality over quantity. I think most people do. I also hate the impact that cheap gear that breaks has on the environment. I prefer to buy it to last, or not at all. But that's the great thing about the internet, the economy, and democracy, we are all entitled to our opinions and the numbers will sort it all out. I do however have issues though with Wallmarts business practices. I would encourage you (and everyone else in the thread) to watch thestoryofstuff.com - if you assume (as I do) that that Wallmart tent will wear out FAR before my SD tent - it is a good, accurate, explanation of the impact of consumer goods that are intended to be disposable. It is a very good watch.

I really like the new Cilo45 so far. Carries quite well, good size, good functionality, good mobility when climbing/scrambling. I think the webbing used is much more supple then on the V2.5s. It is also much better sewn. I usual don't adjust the strap arnagment once I leave the car, just tighten them ect as needed during the trip. Prefer the 'strap-on' crampon patch over the pouch, seems more secure. Size wise I think it is perfect for what your doing, might be full-to-bursting on a few trips but for most it will be perfect. Overall very impressed with it, seems like they are getting to be a good streamlined pack that also is adjustable as needed. That said, for daytrips I REALLY like my Serratus Gennie, the 45 does not replace mine, nor does it replace a 60+L pack when headed out for 8-9 days. For 2-3 days, it seems unbeatable once fitted. But Arc'Teryx packs do not fit me.