robpatterson5

I know what you guys are saying about less chalk, holds at my gym are preaty chalky so I just use the stuff on the holds . Basicly I'm looking for something to make my hands feel better but not dry them out too much after 2-3 hpours at the gym. Never heard of that kind of a gapper, Dru. Cheers: Rob

I've been climbing in a gym for the past 3 months, and over that time my hands have begun more and more to resemble boot leather. I've tried some moisterizesers but they seem to just exasberate the problem (moistens and softens them up, and then the chalk dirys them to $#$##@ again). Any sugestions? Headed to MEC soon, but generaly I just shop at the good 'ol drug store, so nothing too esoteric. Chhers: Rob

I'm thinking of heading that way, any recomendations for where to go/stay cheap during Febuary? St. Anton sounds really nice!

I'm sorta looking at something along these lines, is a parka along the lines of the Wild Things Belay Jacket warm enough for a Volcano Slog? Cheers: Rob

Ive been very happy with my Arc'Teryx, the fit is very good and gore-XCR seems to breath very well. hoods awsome and all the toggles/zippers are right where you want them.

Anyone have that first shot? Cant seem to find it online. -Rob

I'm also looking at something for this (but for skiing and general climbing), anyone has any idea how the Marmot Eiger, or Ospray Creos 38 work? What about the Arc'teryx Borea?

Hey, I'm new to ice climbing and winter camping and was wondering what you guys are useing on your feet this winter? Anyone useing the Smartwool Mounteeners, or Climb High boiled wool socks? What about VBL's? I'll be useing these with a pair of leathers. Anything else I should look out for? Cheers: Rob

lol, I've gone through my share of shitty gear to ziffh. Cool. Cheers: Rob

ziffh, I geuss I took exception to your BGT calling BGT a fraud (but then again I'm biased). I just read the LTR's on the Bivy, I can sorta see where your comeing from with this, all the tester's dident seem to get too much exposher rain heavy or prolonged rain. If you feel BGT or anyone else mispreprsented that product return it, BD has an awsome policy I've found. Or you can join BGT and publish accurat and realaistic reports, there is ZERO censourship/compney pressure on the form. Another thing to do would be to email the testers for more info, why else whould they publish their email addresses? Personouly I dont know the outdoors industery well enough to claim there is a concerted effort to decive us the consumers, but I'd say in my opinion that its no more then in any other industery. Thats what all these reviews are really, opinion. I've also found trailspace.com to have some good reviews of gear, but ushualy I find I get preaty solid reviews on the gear from shop owners/workers or other users. Not the most accessable, but ushualy I find the best, b/c I can ask spicific questions. Cheers: Rob

Can't say I agree with your statment ziffh, I've done some reviews with them and defidentley havent padded my reports. I think the reviews are preaty fair, the trick is to read what condishions people put the gear through (a good point about their system that you can), and take everything you read (online or on a mag) with a grain of salt. Besides differnt users, and or different uses = different experinces. Cheers: Rob

Yep, just ordered the 9's today. Sketchey sight but the guy I talked to seemed cool. Thanks for the advive, I'm looking forward to giveing these guys a wirl. Cheers: Rob

Cool thanks, its mailorder so I'll have to cross my fingers. Their the uninsulated kind, did you find that they packed out at all? Cheers: Rob

Hey, I'm new to ice climbing and am looking at a pair of these or the 8's for this winter. Found a good deal on them with lots of sizes. Usualy take a 8.5 soloman street shoue. Any ideas on if i should go for them in 8.5 or 9, amd which boot (the Super 8 or 9) to get? Cheers: Rob

Hey, I'm new to ice climbing and am looking at a pair of these or the 8's for this winter. Found a good deal on them with lots of sizes. Usualy take a 8.5 soloman street shoue. Any ideas on if i should go for them in 8.5 or 9, amd which boot (the Super 8 or 9) to get? Cheers: Rob