Klimber

Thinking about doing Glacier peak this weekend. Anyone know the current snow line and the best (shortest) approach (white?). I am wondering if we'll be in the snow the whole time and how slow that will make us....

did you go? how was it? thinking about doing it this weekend

I recommend this http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=73&p_id=2301405

URL http://www.warmlite.com/start.htm

these tents sound really attractive, are they really all that and a bag of chips? Anyone have one? I am considering getting the three-person version. It's hard to turn down about 1-1.5lb per person.

or get married to someone that will do it with you. :-) but still have to stay away from the kids part.

I was in feathered friends a few weeks ago and asked them why they don't create UL down gear because I was in the market for one. They said they won't make one because it wouldn't be very durable, ie the down would not last that long since it's so little down. *shrug* I ended up getting a UL montbell synthetic jacke that I am very happy with so far.

I am part of King County Search and Rescue. We got called out in a mission for the first time that was activated by a SPOT. The hiker accidentally hit the "help" button. Other than having a hard time getting to the hiker's account (SPOT would not give the sheriff access to the account) the device coordinates were right where he activated. Since he was OK we found him about 15 miles north continuing on his hike. So in the end I would definitely go for one but I am not convinced it was much of a test since we have had great weather around here so reception should be strong.

I love my denali ascents. I highly recommend getting the ascent version of whatever model you get.

maybe it's common? I had a friend that just had this problem, after MUCH complaining they fixed it.

I did, no dice.

Are all the seams welded? edit: I guess they are Welded Seam technology for reduced weight and improved wet weather performance, durability, softness and compressibility

Isn't it? http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/collection.jsp?OPTION=COLLECTIONS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_SP07_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.MENS.JACKETS.SOFT_SHELL

thanks again to everyone helping me with this. I am now shopping for a softshell also, I think it's a key piece of gear missing from my stash!

As a follow up to my question about a lightweight hardshell you guys have convinced me to get a soft shell. Now that I have been looking at them they look like a GREAT piece of gear because I have many occasions this winter felt like a swamp inside my hardshell. I typically run hot so I want a softshell that is relatively thin. I climb, snowshoe, backpack, year round. So I think I would only use the softshell in the late fall, winter and early spring. My thoughts are 1) Patagonia Houdini Patagonia lists this as a softshell, is it really? I haven't seen this in person so I am not sure it's what I want. 2) REI Mistral - I tried this on and liked the weight and the fit was OK. 3) Patagonia Dimension - I haven't tried this one but I really like the idea of the welded seams, it seems they would hold out water better. 4) Arc'Teryx Gamma MX - I liked the fit of this but dude, $299??? I don't think it's $150 better then the REI Mistral 5) North Face Apex Bionic - this one fit nice, seemed about the right weight. It seems all the materials are equivalent, DRW, spandex, nylon, etc. True? Or are there specific materials that are really great on a softshell. I am also thinking, no hood but am undecided... Does anyone have experience with softshells that would help me pick one based on my uses? Does anyone have experience with the above jackets?