ASmith

I am planing on buying Spantiks and another pair of boots and need to get the sizing close and there are no dealers around to go to. So... I would appreciate it greatly to hear from you with how your training or tennis shoe size compares to your Spantiks, Oly Mons or La Sportiva Boots you have how their sizing runs with a SW liner and SW mountaineering sock. Thanks!

I am ordering new tools this week and would appreciate any feeback from all of you who have any opinions, experience, or thoughts that would help. What do you like and dislike about any of these or your choice of tools.

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Sorry, it was a typo and I msade the correction. Liner under SW Mountaineering sock. The double liner socks as noted above work great for those who are prone to blisters and you can get "blister tape" from Althetic Supply in Seattle, which is a really think plastic type of tape that is smooth, that you apply right on the skin either before or after blisters so the sock slides over it plus it protects the area. Great stuff. A VPL sock is great up high and really cold to keep the moisture out of the thick sock, dry the liner every night in your bag and/or jacket pocket and powder up a few times a day.

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Nowhere did I call "Bob" a scam. I do not know "Bob" personally, I know only from experience and from those from another post that he seems to post things for sale, reply with prices and for payment and then disappear. This is IMO questionable, unproffesional and dis-respectful. Plus, I am not the only one. It appears that Bob was Out of town.

Thanks Bob for letting us know and clearing that up.

What if any, rope manufactures are pushing the tech envelope and are there any ropes that are above and beyond the offerings from other manufactures for rock, alpine, mountaineering or water fall ice? What is everyone's favorites?

I have found the same. I have been using the poly pro liner under a single pair SW Mountaineering socks but I am thinking about trying a thin Swartwool merlino wool liner instead or possibly a different liner and was hoping to get some feeback if anyone has used the Swartwool liners or just what liners they are using? I have also used the super feet but have just ordered the SOLE Veister's model after looking at it on the SOLE website so I would also be interested in hearing if anyone has any experience with these also.

I have been using the Smartwool Mountaineering socks with liners for some time and have been happy with them. What socks, liners, and footbeds has everyone found to be the best for alpine and high altitude use?

Thanks for the input. I am preparing a private, 6 day Himalayan Seminar, probalbly three camps with a night or two at the summit on Mt. Rainier in June/July 2008 and have a spot or to open????

June - July 2008, Private 6 day Himalayan Seminar with Rainier Summit attempt with one of the major guide co. , 3 camps, and at least one night camp on the summit. I have a few spots open. If interested PM or email Allen@Livinginswflorida.com

I am setting up a few trips for next year to Rainier and to Denali and would like to get any feedback on which guide services are prefered. I am considering RMI, Alpine Ascents International and International Mountain Guides. You thoughts and comments please!

Thanks for your info so far. Since this site has so many great and experienced climbers and I was hoping to get some feedback from those who either have had first had experience and comparisions or those that have analized the products currently on the market and can make a recomendation or opinion from their conclusions.

First thanks for your input I appreciate it greatly, I wish more would chime in. Sorry if the post seems "odd" but I am trying to do my best to research and take avantage of others experience which I feel is always better than sales or advertising hype. Packs, my top choice right now is the Arcteryx Bora but am considering a few Osprey models as well as the Gregory. I want a pack large enough for the climbing the larger mountains and also for multiday treking trips without a ton of weight. For Alpine, two day, or summint attempts there are far better choices and more specialized for say strickly climbing. Tents: I have never used a single wall tent and tend be still be a fan of the double wall for it breatability and usability in wet conditions and rain in lower elevations, down south and on trips that are not above the snow line. I am however all ears and would like to hear input from those who use both or have switched. The MH Trango, VE25 and Mountain 25, look bomber but heavy, and the more I see the Hilleberg Tents the more I like them but have to compare the tunnel tent like the Keron as opposed to the dome styles like the Saivo or Tarra. However the trade off is probably weight. While I am aware that there is always a weight trade off I would like to get as close to the best of both worlds as I can with one great tent since I have so much to purchase. I can add more specialized tents later. Stoves: I had a XGK and a Whisperlight and really like the avantages of white gas especially in the cold and at alitude but really like what I see with the new MSR Reactor but I can not find any with hands on experience with them. Anyone using them? Also, can they be hung? I have been looking for Koflachs boots on line and usless you are below 8 or above 12 there does not seem to be any anywhere. If you know where there are some please let me know. So Scarpa Inverno's with Intution liners and La Sportiva synthic double boots like the Spantik or the Nuptse pushing $650.00. I tried Invernos several years ago and just did like them compared to the Asolo Expediations that I had and I can't find anyone that can compare the new models for me. Most companies are pushing the Inverous except for Alaska Mountaineer which are pushing only the La Sportiva high end boots and recomended the Olympus Mons Evo or the Spantik or the Nuptse . I used to use the Lowe Foot Fang (remember those) for steep ice front pointing and then a basic 10 point for alpine glacier use. Now, I like the Grivel G-12 and G-14 and the BD Sabertoothsand boot fit will probably determine the choice. The G-14 seems to be more suited to hard steep ice and the G-12 toward glacier usage. I wonder what experiences others have had using the G-14 on snow compared with a G-12 or other similar crampon with horizontial front points. In other words, any negitive feedback from the vertical front points being used on softer snow. I like the new BD Cobra's and Reactor.

I have been away from climbing for the past several years living In SW Florida but will be comming home to Seattle next year and plan to jump back in January. But.... due to a storage theft while we were gone I need to replace all of my climbing, scuba, biking and sking gear, everything! So, I am looking for gear advise and suggestions as I am not quite up to speed on everything new with climbing gear and technology. I am going to start with boots,I used to use Kofachs but see that they are discontinued, packs (I used to use a Terriplane) but now am considering Arcteryx Bora, Osprey or Gregory, tents (I had a VE25), stoves,and bags for Rainier and Denali trips next year,and ice gear for a trip to Oaray in January for the ice festival. I am would be interested in other websites and forums that could help me get back up to speed. I basically have to replace everything for my wife and I and now have to add my son into the mix. Anything that you guys can share would be most appreciated.