offroadfanatic

I picked up at XV jacket, Cloud 1/4 zip fleece and the guide gloves and some other FA stuff for an upcoming winter climb. Seems like good stuff to me. The Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero Hooded Jacket weighs the same, filled with 650 down, but it's got an interior water bottle pocket which I like. But I went with the XV Jacket because of the cost and the fill. I have yet to have a long term testing but I don't see why some of the First Ascent stuff wouldn't stand up. I have owned the MH Pinnacle Pants and thought they were extremely breathable and totally waterproof and surprisingly tough. Sort of sold me on non-goretex products. A few things I've noticed is that the hoods are truly helmet compatible and generous. The softshells are sweet. and that I can afford it. Although Eddie Bauer has been doing down since 1953 they got out of expedition outfitting many years ago and were never in alpine. So I wouldn't use "first produced down garments for an expedition in 19XX year" as a selling point on me. Since they didn't continue making expedition gear. Their Downlight sweater fits much better than the Patagonia down sweater, is less boxy, and about 1 oz heavier. I'll have to give it all time though. I mean yes, "First Ascent" doesn't have a lot of first ascentionists, but I wouldn't buy something for apline that carried the eddie bauer name only. They had to call it something. Ed Viesturs helped develop and grow and develop Mountain Hardwear and now he's been recruited to help develop and grow First Ascent. No reason to believe it won't work as well. Guess time will tell. They offer a lifetime guarantee so shouldn't hurt to find out.

Planning on heading out to the Grand this January. Just looking for anyone who's been out there in the winter? Or knows a good site to check snowfall / conditions up there. Route suggestions? TR's? We're planning on the Stettner or Becky Couloir. I think it'll be too steep and windy for any crazy avi conditions to develop except on the snowfield up high. Been out there in the summer when storms roll in real quickly in the afternoons and are gone in the morning. Just thought y'all might have some beta for me!

A great pack that hasn't been mentioned yet is the http://cilogear.com/60lws.html I just picked mine up. With the expansion it'll fit 90L, caries VERY well. Supports local business. When I went in to pick it up I spoke to the guy who built my exact pack. I've had about 45# of gear in it quite comfortably. I never thought I would buy a pack that wasn't TNF or MH, but it carries so well, fits so much, so versatile, I'm going to buy a 40L next.

I love these ones. Mine were stolen in Yosemite. Tough stuff. Just too expensive to replace as a student!

Man! Wish I still lived closer! That's a sweet setup! I love my trango wiregates!

Willing to split this up at all? cranK

PM Sent on Tent & Bivy cranK

E-mail sent on womens harness.

HELP! I'm looking for a pair of AT boots. I picked up a pair of BD Chaos Ski's with the Freichie Freeride bindings for a song, now I need boots to go with them. I'm a student, looking to get into ski mountaineering as cheap as possible. If you've got a pair of boots in the basement / attic that you don't use anymore, an extra pair of boots that just sit around, I want to use them! (buy them). I don't care what brand, I like Scarpa's. I wear a 44.5 in my other mountaineering boots, but I think I'm between a 27.5 and 28.5. I just moved to Ohio but I'll be back in two weeks for two weeks in Bend. Shoot me a PM or an e-mail at caleb.janicich@gmail.com PLEASE HELP! I'm tired of walking off the tops and sliding down on my butt!

Where are you located?

What's the size?

Used twice to carry gear to the local crag. It's a little big for me. Moving to Ohio next month Great bag, holds a TON. The thing is virtually bottomless! Here is the description. New for 2009, like new! http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1625&prod=3379&cat=1653&viewAll=False Asking $225 OBO I'm in Portland. Will ship.

PM sent on Rope.

Nice TR! Another reason to go back! Cheers!

Hah! That sucks man! At least it'd provide a nice catch! I'm in Clackamas too! Would love to get out! Carver some time, maybe Frenches if it's an earlier night? I lead sport 5.10, Trad 5.6-5.7 I go to school and I've been SUPER busy (finals week and all) lately but we could probably get out a couple of times a week. At least once! I'll PM you my number! cheers!

Great TR! I second the inspiring comment!

Awesome shot man!

Inspiring! Nice TR! I want to go up another side now!

whoa. Thanks man. I tried the "search function" and came up with pages of unrelated items. So I posted. Thanks

This is a gear / rock climbing question. Hope this is the right spot. What do you (the cascadeclimbers climbing community) prefer as far as ropes? So I'm heavy on the sport side, moving towards trad and mountaineering. Just trying to find a balance between weight (more for carrying than climbing purposes) and UIAA falls rating and stretch. I spotted the Millet Magma which seemed like a good rope. But I don't know anyone who's tried one. I've got a Beal Top Gun II 10.5, recently climbed on a Petzl Nomad, seemed like a good rope. I've heard the New England ropes wear forever. I also want a 70m. Thoughts? Discuss. You can just talk about your rope. Why you chose it, and how it's held up, and if you'd buy it again.

the term "placing a nut" takes on a whole new meaning.

E-mail sent.

sorry. be there in a couple of weeks though.