Paul0

How many Litres is the Genie summit pack? What size is the micro bivy (regular/long)?

Here is one from Mountain Equipment Coop called a Adventure Medical Thermo-Lite Emergency Bivy. Recently I've started to carry an All Weather Emergency Blanket. It's reusable. I place it under my sleeping bag to reflect heat back. It seems to help and does not make that irritating sound when you shift your weight over it.

PM sent re Petzl Ascenders and BD ice screws

You're dreaming... or it's a semantics error. Set your coupler tent up and you'll see that it does not have flaps... they are the walls that are supposed to be positioned on either side of a Trango style tent vestibule. Bringing the ends together will sitll leave a large opening. Over lapping the ends to remove the opening will reduce the size of the inner space to the point you can't stretch out to sleep in. But that's a secondary issue. The important issues are that it does not have proper ventilation for cooking in and/or removing condensation... and, at 4 lbs, it's one of those things that will quickly get left behind to save weight and space in your backpack. For those listening, buyer beware, the Coupler has limitations that you may want to consider along with alternatives that are lighter, smaller and more versatile.

Here is another link to Anthron Ascenders that provides a better image.

There are no "end flaps", i.e. there is an open doorway at each end (meant to 'fit' with two tents). But you're correct in the sense that adding flaps would be the way to go to control a cool cross draft. That's yet another alteration I eventually plan to make to it.

True, there is a lot of room in the Coupler Tent but no venting so I'd look at adding something before cooking in it. I bought mine to use as a cooking shelter for large group winter camping... but still need to get it "vented".

Mountain Hardwear Tent Coupler can be purchased from MBstores.com for less. I bought one a couple of years ago and I've never used it either. The tent is an interesting ideal but who wants to carry an extra 4 lbs into the backcountry when a tarp weighing less then a pound will work. The pricing on the rest of your stuff looks good.

PM sent regarding Petzl Myobelt 3 Headlamp

The Simond Piranhas arrived safely today, thank you.

I sent you an email regarding the Simond Piranhas.