ASmith

Free Rossignol skis with Solomon Bindings used 5 times with a 6 y/o. Like New. Red plastic sled. Must pick up on Snoqualmie Pass tonight and I will leave them outside for pickup. Do not PM, heading out-of -town tomorrow. Email allen(at)livinginswflorida(dot)com for more info

Brand New never worn. These are UNISEX boots for mountaineering & ice climbing. They are men's 8.0 or women's 9.0 These are the warmest boots you can buy for winter mountain sports. Never worn. Bought them for wife but need size larger. Retail for $365, selling for $250 + shipping. Can provide a picture of the actual boots, if you like. Email clientcare(at)livinginswflorida.com Seattle WA. Will ship Fed Ex ground or Air and Pay Pal OK http://www.koflachusa.com/products.html http://www.rei.com/product/47810150.htm "These warm plastic-shell boots designed for extreme-cold, high-altitude expeditions also perform well on vertical ice. The warmest in the Koflach line, the Expe feature Thermo liners which contain open-cell polyethylene and closed-cell foam. Y-Technology™ outer shells use dual-density polyurethane--stiffer near the bottom for crampon security and softer over the instep for flex. Vario hinges allow natural, forward and lateral foot flex making for easier approaches on rocky terrain or flat-footing techniques on steep snow. Removable Thermo inner boots feature bacteria-resistant polyester linings that help move moisture away from feet; textured outsoles add grip. Reliable Vibram® rubber lug outsoles provide traction and edging on a variety of mountainous terrain. Steel ball eyelets allow snug lacing by letting you pull tightly with a minimum of effort, even with gloves on. Temperature rating is estimated to be -65 degrees Fahrenheit."

Dane, Said much better than I but for the most part what I meant. Great points, thanks, you do a great job. "Places you don't end up with a water bottle in your parka and you don't go through 3 pairs of gloves in a day." Well said. So..... I want Event and bottle pockets.

Shoveling snow in a XV isn't something I'd generally even think about doing do. Based on my experience even in some really cold temps, I'd put on a tech T shirt and maybe if required, a breathable wind layer, then blast away. Twight's "Extreme Alpinism" covers this conversation pretty well. It is worth the read. Dane, no disagreement here just different thoughts. While shoveling snow may not be the best use of an XV it was 7 degrees that morning and I needed something to put on to quickly to walk the dog and shovel the drive and the XV was hanging next to the door. I have read Extreme Alpinism and it is a great piece of work which focus is in the "alpine" discipline and if I'm not mistaken he advises strongly against using down jackets in the "alpine" environment due to moisture management as well as the change of high moisture weather......but recommends synthetic jackets which I would also agree. Again, I feel we are back to that intended use thing.

You wouldn't if you understood the limitations of down and DWR. In the case of a down jacket DWR is a better answer than Event. So Dane, would you also choose a sleeping bag with DWR over Event under the same pretenses? I know some do preferring to have the bag breath as opposed to resist outside moisture. Thats the trade off I guess. Personally, I like to protect my down at all costs from the outside while dealing with the condensation from the inside, if any, actively but thats just me.

It IS a very warm jacket. I just wish it was in Event.

More Info: Now another breakthrough is hitting the consumer outdoor products market based on a man-made material called aerogel. It is lighter than air in its pure form, warmer than down, can be compressed, is breathable and is virtually unbreakable. It keeps hots things hot and cold things cold – How does it do it? Aerogel There seems to be no simple or short answer to what is an aerogel. Most text describe a manufacturing process where liquids are replaced with air involving a polymerization process. Being simple, I like to think of aerogel as a tiny, as in microscopic, layer of bubble wrap; which I am sure makes scientists and engineers cringe. First mentioned in a paper published in the journal, Nature, in 1931, scientist recognized an opportunity to improve insulation material. Monsanto initially used it in napalm and cigarettes in the 1940’s but it was primarily used as a flattening agent in paint and varnishes. Monsanto abandoned its use in the 1970’s. It was expensive and difficult to manufacture according to the website areogel.org . One challenge was that exposure to a significant amount of aerogel dust created serious respiratory issues. Aerogel can be manufactured from many base materials including silca, carbon, copper, gelatin and more exotic combination’s. The secret is a final product that is 98% air – an excellent insulator. We know that air pockets in feathers trap warmth thus providing insulation, however feathers need loft or thickness to function well. Also, feathers are bulky (or puffy in a jacket) and require a serious commitment from the donor. Aerogel Jacket Enter NASA. Think spacesuit. They needed superior insulation for astronauts and space probes. Oh cost was a minor issue. In 1993, Aspen Systems, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, secured a contract from NASA to develop an aerogel manufacturing process. Soon, Cryogel®, was used in launch vehicles, Space Shuttle upgrades, interplanetary propulsion, and life support equipment. Now called Spaceloft™, gloves designed for the Mars mission will use aerogels. Aspen Aerogels, a spinoff company, was tasked with commercializing aerogels and soon got a handle on the difficult manufacturing problems and expanded the product line into window and skylight insulation, non-flammable building insulation, and inexpensive firewall insulation that will withstand fires in homes and buildings. And outdoor clothing. It was successfully tested on an Antarctic expedition. The performance of the material is astounding providing protection from – 200°C to + 635°C. A 3 mm thick layer of aerogel can protect the human body even at temperatures below -50°C. A few outdoor products already use aerogels. Burton sold a jacket and mittens with aerogel since 2005. But it costs twice as much as their non-aerogel versions and has been discontinued. The Gearcaster recently noted a few current offerings: The Quiver AeroPoint.50, a water bottle insulator that claims to keep your liquid cold ten times longer than uncovered. Camelbak’s Podium water bottle, targeted to cyclists, uses aerogel as the primary insulating agent. They claim 4x increase in staying power at a cost of $20 for a 21 oz bottle. Pacific Outdoors has marketed a sleeping pad based on Aerogel since 2007 with good reviews. Other products include Toasty Feet insoles and even tennis rackets from Dunlop. Fast forward to the January 2010 Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City where Hanesbrands with their Champion apparel brand showed more of their climber’s line including their new Supersuit. It uses a version of aerogel they call Zero-Loft Aerogel. The aerogel layer is the primary insulating material and is sandwiched within three other layers that provide wicking, reflection of body heat and wind resistance. They say it is four times as warm as down. Champion Supersuit Jacket It will undergo a test on an Everest expedition this spring with Canadian climber Jamie Clark. I already noted their effort last Fall to test the new line on Nepal’s Pumori. While called a suit, it is actually a separate jacket and pant combination. Precise details on whether products for climbers will be available and price points is still unclear to me. Mike Abbott, director of research and development for Hanesbrands has been quoted as saying “By developing the Supersuit and other garment layers to be used on Everest, we have identified new Champion products to roll out and new features and enhancements to potentially add to our everyday line of Champion Athletic Apparel.” One hint of future products comes from this statement in a press release: The Champion and Duofold brands will use the Everest project’s research discoveries for new products and enhanced products for years to come. The first products inspired by or influenced by the Everest project will come to market in fall 2010. Champion will introduce Cold Weather Gear that can be layered in various combinations to promote warmth and comfort, a technique that will be used during the Mount Everest expedition. The Champion Cold Weather gear is value-priced training activewear made from lightweight fabrics to maximize mobility and reduce bulk, even while layering for warmth in modest temperatures. The material has seen Everest before. Climber Anne Parmenter wore a pair of aerogel socks and insoles on her 2006 summit. Her only complaint – her feet got too hot! We have seen breakthrough claims before with quarks, superconducting materials and plastic. Some made it, others didn’t; primarily due to manufacturing issues and the final cost to consumers. Today, we would add environmental issues to the challenge list for any product. Climbers in particular seems to try these out and return to natural products like goose feathers and Merino sheep wool. I am totally confident that the Champion gear will protect mountaineer Jamie Clark. The next question is for the rest of us. Can outdoor clothing manufacturers deliver a high quality product, in quantity, at a consumer price point using aerogel? I hope so because I want one! And maybe geese will stop flying into our planes.

I too have a brand new pair of 44.5 Nuptse's that I would sell but don't need 45's ;'). Could use Millet Everests or LS Oly Mons maybe something else ??

Ill take them if they are available.

Dane, Have you seen this stuff. Everest Super Suit only 3mm thick. http://theadventureblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/champion-unveils-super-suit-for-use-on.html More info on the Hanes Super Suit here: www.climbwithus.com/#/updates/article?id=104 At just 3 millimeters thick, the Champion Supersuit, which will be tested this spring on Mount Everest, provides equal insulation, greater mobility and superior wind resistance compared with a typical 40-millimeter-thick goose-down parka

I have used this Mini Works with great results and no problems. Scrub the slit right off the ceramic filter and your good to go. Boil the filter to sanitize. Want virus protection? Use this Sweet Water Purifier Solution and/or Steri Pen.

I use a Cannon Powershot 110 for small and lightweight with a 10X mechanical zoom and a Cannon 40D & 50D with 11-16mm F2.8 and 70-200 2.8 IS and a 300mm 2.8 and 1.4 ex for everything else. When I did my research I found that Cannon won all of hte consumer and mag tests for all three of the small categories, pocket fixed all the way to super zoom. I love ours it takes photos that are simply unbelievable for a point and shoot. Every time we use it we comment on how good it is.

Good info on pulk building here. http://www.skipulk.com/index.html I used Ed's stuff and found the performance and control with the solid poles far superior to rigging with cord.

Let me chime in here.... again. The XV for the price is a good, maybe great jacket especially for the price. Like most everything in the FA line the quality vs. price point seems to be really hard to beat. For what it is worth I have invested in several pieces (7 or 8) of their product line (1/4 zip and fleece jacket pieces, both hoodies, XV, to give them a try as the sale prices at 50% are hard to beat. Back to the XV. The XV for the current sale price of around $180.00 is a deal plain and simple. One probably can't find a better jacket at a better price. The jacket is really warm and is cut for technical uses as opposed to being a long cut expedition "parka". Personally I would have liked to have an inner pocket, a double zipper, and an Event shell and it would be perfect but the lenght of the jacket does nullify the need of a double zipper some-what. In my mind the fragility of the jacket is still in question and will not be fully answered until some use ( abuse) and I would have liked to see a top quality fabric like Event to protect the down. Dane, I looked forward to reviewing another one of your great and throughal reviews! BTW, what do you think about their Serrano/Igniter Jacket and and Igniter Pant Primaloft line compared to the compressor / DAS?

New unused Koflach Artis Extr double mountaineering boot size 8. Bought for wife but too small. These warm plastic-shell boots designed for extreme-cold, high-altitude expeditions also perform well on vertical ice. The warmest in the Koflach line, the Expe feature Thermo liners which contain open-cell polyethylene and closed-cell Alveolit foam Y-Technology™ outer shells use dual-density polyurethane--stiffer near the bottom for crampon security and softer over the instep for flex Vario hinges allow natural, forward and lateral foot flex making for easier approaches on rocky terrain or flat-footing techniques on steep snow Removable Thermo inner boots feature bacteria-resistant polyester linings that help move moisture away from feet; textured outsoles add grip Reliable Vibram® rubber lug outsoles provide traction and edging on a variety of mountainous terrain Steel ball eyelets allow snug lacing by letting you pull tightly with a minimum of effort, even with gloves on Temperature rating is estimated to be -65 degrees Fahrenheit Would like $250.00 Make Offer PM may take longer to reply so Email: thesmithgroup(at)windermere(dot)com

Great Stuff, thanks Dane!

Dane, Just curious... How much did you pay for the XV and where? Your previous post says you bought both for less than the retail price of the XV alone which is $269.00? From your post I went toEB to get a down jacket for my son and the XV was not on sale. I spoke to the store manager, who I know, and she said no sale.... ever. She then called the Seattle store and corporate and still no sale. Hummmmmm All the fleece, both EB and FA is on 50% off and I got my wife the female version of the fleece you purchased ( Monkey Man copy) and a Bat Wing Hoodie (R1 Hoodie copy). Where did you get the XV on sale?

So is it the Mtn Hdwr Compressor or the DAS?

Dane, Agreed, It's all good. Shoveling the drive in the XV with help from our search/service dog who thinks someone "must" be buried there ;') 2009 Mt Rainier 11k, met up with John & Oliva Race, Sierra loves her Pro Bars

Dane, What can I say, thank you so much you made my morning. I really appreciate your generosity and eagerness to openly share all of your vast knowledge, experience, and thoughts that I can learn from and of course your opinions which are just that..... your opinions. Thank you again, as you have made my morning by reminding me that I'm so blessed and to give thanks everyday that we all live in a country where we have the right to have our own thoughts and opinions and most importantly to be able to express them, and our experiences, in an open public forum where we can openly express them without fear of being attacked for them. Unfortunately, not everyone in this world can say that. May the good things of life be yours in abundance, not only at the beginning of the new year but for, and in, all things thru out the year. Allen

No. Excuse me, I said top loader in my last post and meant front loader. The washer I used was a commercial front loader without any agitators in it. I also set it to gentle cycle and used Nix Wax Down soap. When I compare my FF product with my FA product, IMO there really is not a comparison but again, I admit, I'm not a fabric material, sewing, or climbing gear manufacture or design expert. Will I be using this jacket for rainier this year, probable. Will I be taking it to Aconcagua, Denali, and Cho Oyu, this year, no.

Dane, Which fleece product did you buy... the Bat hoodie? BTW.... As I stated, I was given the jacket and due to BO odor in it from someone who may have worn it I "had" to wash the jacket. IMHO, any down jacket should be able to withstand at least a few gentle washings in a commercial front loader as recommended by every manufacture. I don't know about you but I'm not interested in "fragile" gear. And.. you are right for 50% off of $269.00 you probably can't find a better jacket with quality and fragility issues aside but I said that previously and time will tell as more folks buy them. You also give up having a great weather protectant outer fabric like Gore, Epic, or Event to protect your life giving precious down with the XV as well as it is a product made in China with all that that entails as well. It's always comes down to price vs. quality and with that I think FA did a great job in designing gear for a specific target group at a low price point. Personally, for only $130.00 more I would buy the FF front point but the XV really doesn't directly compare to the Front Point in features for an apples for apples comparision. However, for the $130.00 or so sales price it is a great jacket and everyone should own one at that price. And... it is warm, and its working great for shoveling snow in the driveway and to walk the dog

http://www.eddiebauer.com/FIRST-ASCENT/First-Ascent-Mens/First-Ascent-Mens-Insulation/index.cathttp: You get what you pay for and the quality is not up to par. I was given a Peak XV from the "design team" and after only a few uses and the first washing in a front loader on gentle cycle several baffles failed in the back, under and in the arms. At least two panels in the back were void of any down as was under the arms. The arms looked like Pop Eye arms with all the down in the cuff area. There is simply no comparison to this jacket to a WM or a FF. Nothing about them is comparable. If you need/want a cheap jacket for one or two trips then the Peak XV will fit the bill. Then when EB had there Fleece 1/4 zips on sale for 19.00 I bought two. Again, no comparison to the R1 or other quality layering pieces. It is clear that EB has targeted the entry level climber that only climbs once or not very often and hence only needs a pierce to last a trip or two and is seeking low end price point climbing clothing and the quality is on par with that. Kind of like the majority or entry level RMI Rainier client. And for water bottle pockets? You don't need water bottle pockets for Rainier.

Christmas sale make offer.