jesselillis

Identify route they were left at the base of (or shoe make and model) and I will mail them back to you.

Thanks JBo6- they were my first go-to (after emailing Dynafit customer service), but they did not have the part. They suggested I trade-in the remainder of the heel piece with them for credit towards a new heel unit. I'm going to hold out for a bit in hopes that there are entrepreneur-ing folks out there that have made after market replacements (and that I can find those persons!).

Thanks Bronco, their site looks promising, fingers crossed while I wait for a reply to the email I just sent them!

Dynafit Vertical ST binding I snapped the heel tower (where the tower meets the plastic plate that caps the heel piece). Any ideas on how/where to replace this bit? Thanks!

Last year I bought Silverettas to access climbs in Quebec, seemed like a killer solution to avoiding carrying two pair of boots or slowshoeing 16 miles into Parc Jacques Cartier. I used them once on a short approach to make sure they didn't fall apart (they did a bit, but probably because my DIN is too low/I am terrified of them breaking my ankle- anyhow they go back together easily). Then I brought them to PJC and skiied 16 miles on them and they absolutely destroyed my heels- biggest blisters of my life. Imagine your entire heel was a blister. Obviously my ice boots don't articulate like my AT boots. What is the solution? I tried looser, I tried tighter, neither seemed to help.

Any current-ish wisdom on the availability/safe functionality of a chemical treatment to apply a dry coating (water repellent coating) to the sheath of a dry rope that no longer acts as a dry rope? I noticed Backcountry.com no longer sells Nikwax Dry Proof...

What is the string loop on the rear of the BD aspect harness for? I realize one could use it for a chalk bag or as an extra racking loop, but it doesn't seem specifically designed for either of those purposes.

Two friends and I are planning to climb the upper West Rib of Denali (West Buttress to 14K). We're not sure if we'll down climb the upper West Rib (and return to our high camp and then 14K), or do a carryover (climbing the upper West Rib with our high camp gear, descending back to 14K on the West Buttress). Conditions and our comfort en route may make the decision for us. I'd like to hear from anyone who has down climbed the upper West Rib. Feel free to post or PM me.

thanks fromage (name well chosen my friend, how often i regret my own selection...). i hate sounding like a tool. most of the time. bizarrely sometimes i don't. i'm not sure what drives those moments. perhaps toxoplasmosis. in any case, now i'm well equipped with the vernacular to come across as a tool or not, as i choose. tips also much appreciated.

Looking to re-waterproof the outer layer of a GTX hardshell pant. It's GTX so I don't actually get wet, but the layer above the membrane holding water can make for some cold, heavy pants. I've seen recs for this brand: Granger's. REI sells 4 of their products (1 spray, 3 washes): -XT Proofer Waterproof Spray -Performance Wash -One Step Wash and Waterproof -Performance Waterproofer. Not sure which, or what combo might work best. Any experience to share? Or with other similar products? (NikWax?) Thx

Climbing Denali. Leaving things at home is definitely an option, but I'd like to consider it amongst alternatives.

I'd like to recharge ipod, some fancy phone, kindle, things of that nature while out and about for a few weeks. I found product 'solar focus battery bank', which sounded perfect, but based on reviews appears to be debilitatingly inefficient. Are there solutions other than solar panels?

Team of 3. Planning to bring a 60m, diameter TBD. Light is good (8mm?), but so thin that prussiking out of a crevasse is agony is less good. Dry treatment probably necessary since the thing will be getting dragged across snow/ice for the length of the entire route twice? Or dry treatment doesn't matter since it will be worn off after dragging the rope up the first 2000 feet, twice? What do you recommend? Or what did you use, and as a result what did you wish you had used?

Team of 3. Planning to bring 2 stoves. One MSR XKG based on multiple recommendations Considering a different (quieter?) model for the second. Recommendations? Anyone have experience with a MSR Whisperlight at elevation? Wind, cold or altitude have any disastrous effects?

Thanks all for your insights. I'm still not sure what we'll do, but we'll definitely be considering the points you've raised.