Jonzo

Patagonia Ice 9 Suit, size small, mango color $175 Cilogear 40L Worksack, small backlength (used only once) $140; details of this pack are on cilogear's website (new =$215). Just selling it because I have another pack very close to same size. Located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Email me for pics, further details Jon icenine@telusplanet.net

Kelty White Cloud 4500 (that's the spectra one); good condition (a few stains but otherwise solid). Comes with side pockets and shovel/crampon pouch, as well as lightweight waistbelt for when you strip it down. Removeable top pocket. Back length = regular (it came in regular and large). Removeable framesheet, waistbelt. Nice pack, it's just a tad long for my very short back length. Spectra ain't cheap, so $250...email me for pics and we can talk shipping etc. Also for sale - Patagonia Ice9 Suit, size small. Colour-mango. Mini ripstop goretex fabric, internal suspenders, rainbow butt zip, leg zips, pit zips, the works. Good condition. $200. Email me also for pics, shipping, etc. or reply here and I'll try to attach them.... Jon icenine@telusplanet.net

I know the superfly ascent hanging kit has been discontinued for some time. I've searched on ebay occasionally but no luck. Anybody know where I can locate one of these...I'm particularly interested in the lighter weight heat exchanger that came with it. Or, if anyone has some cool directions for makin' my own heat exchanger, drop me a line. Cheers! Jon

Anyone know where a guy can get a hold of some titanium rock pins...I know Ushba used to make these, but they're not around any more. I haven't had much luck searching, tried eBay before too. I don't want many, just a few (4-5) to lighten the rack for alpine projects in place of LAs. Any tips would be great. Cheers! Jon

I ended up going with the 43's...it's interesting in that many of the reviews on the web say "fits true to size" and then you get someone like Andy Kirkpatrick who says he is a 42 size and wears a 44, which would be huge to me. The issue in the 43.5 (and I really, really labored over this) was that they fit a bit sloppy, and I didn't want to shore things up with thicker socks, lots of inserts, etc. in order to compensate. I've also talked to people at AMH who said that while they went up a full size, after some use, they feel they could actually go down a half size. And of course Dane on this website has been extremely helpful to me. The biggest issue with this boot compared to many others is that both inner and outer are lasted, in half sizes. Mountain tools in Carmel sells a lot of them; you may with to consult with them. Their website says 1/2 size over regular boot size. For me, I take a 42.5 in the Trango, so 43 was it. Time will tell....I don't get a lot of swelling in my feet at altitude or with use, so hopefully that'll be okay. And I did the kick test with the 43s and toes didn't hit the end...but they're close, which means I don't get any heel lift and have single-boot style precision (something I was told was a benefit of this boot). I was told by Sportiva that one of the biggest issues with the Spantik (and the Lhotse, which has a similar last) is that people buy them too big. Neptune Mountaineering in Colorado was also helpful; I spoke to a master boot fitter there who also suggested the 43s. From your foot size (ie wearing a 10 running shoe), it's no surprise that the 43 and even the 43.5 was too small...I definitely wouldn't go to a 42.5 for my running shoe size 9 foot (I'm a 9 on the Brannock, and usually wear 9 runners, sometimes 8.5 if the shoe fits big). They're nice boots though...can't wait to use them! Jon

I've seen a few posts out there in the past regarding the sizing of the Spantiks...I have two pairs in my possession right now, a 43 and a 43.5, and am debating the fit so much I think I'm losing my mind. I need some help. A word about my feet - reasonably narrow, nothing strange, take a 42.5 in the Trango Extreme (yellow/black model with Schoeller gaiter and power strap from about 5 years ago), took a size 9 in the Scarpa Vega/Inverno, measure L foot about a mm more than a 9 on a Brannock, R foot a 9 (or 42 on a euro Brannock). Typically take running shoes and street shoes in a 9 or 42, but have taken in an 8.5 as well, depending on the shoe. Sock combo - super thin liner sock, and mid to heavier weight Smartwool (nothing ultra-super thick tho). Intended use - return to St. Elias Range/Alaska range, mid-technical ground. Here is the dilemma - both boots fit, but the 43.5 feels a tad longer. However, in the 43, my feet feel a bit tentative, like they almost want to touch the end. Kick test is good it would seem. I'm just worried about the lack of length translating into toes hitting the end with the swollen feet at the end of the day, peripheral edema, etc. Never had this much problem fine-tuning...just looking for others' experiences in fitting them, ASAP...how much did they settle in, what size did you take in relation to other boots, etc. etc. HELP!! Cheers!