MtnManMatt

"Bag Balm" is popular on my fire crew where we regularly go 14 days working in 100F temps in the same clothes. Comes in a green cube-shaped tin and is made for cow udders. Never used it myself, but heard it's a ~1 day cure. I'll second the baby wipes for daily "maintenance". A commando coworker used these... ...and if you're a fan of dark beer, espresso, and dry red wine go for Gold Bond in the BLUE bottle...potent!

Probably moving to Redding for the summer. Anyone know where i can climb nearby? I've only found sparse info on "Shredding", described as a "grungy" limestone area. Furthermore, is there a rock gym there or any bouldering? I'll be slaving away for the gov so probably won't be able to get out very much, but hopefully i'll be able to maintain for the winter...

Check out Sean Isaac's Mixed Climbing book, there's a page in there that shows you how. Basically you'll need to strip your vibram off and drill some holes in the sole for t-nuts to accept the spikes. The spurs on my Bionics were modeled after the directions in the book... http://neice.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2455&sort=1&cat=500&page=1 http://neice.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2454&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=1

I only climbed with him once when i first moved to town, but remember he had lots of energy for the mountains. In the end it's often not the mountains that get you, but the "real" world...Belay off Jason.

...Also depends on what kind of climber/climbs you are/will do. More alpine oriented, moving most of the time would point towards synthetic, while more stopping might point more towards down. What i know of synthetic materials is that Primaloft while more like down is not as durable as Polarguard with its continuous strand insulation, and will probably pack out quicker. My2c...

Patagucci DAS Parka... http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/patagonia.go?assetid=10109