stever

Excellent pictures! What camera model did you use?

Are the good conditions late this year? I am surprised to see there have been no trip reports yet this yet??

Great pictures!! What camera did you use?

I've never seen the route in person, why would it be scary to solo? Is the route straight forward?

I second the technos. I've had one pair resoled twice and have a second pair I'm still breaking in. Great shoe!

From the OP and photos elsewhere, I'd hazard: 1. Wolfs Head and 2. South Butt Pingora Thanks! I'm not familiar with the range, but the routes look awesome!

what two routes are these?? [img:left]http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/500/medium/P1010271.JPG[/img]

Thanks, I actually didn't know that so I will just do that if I do go the used route.

Would you guys recommend buying new at all costs? Or are used beacons okay to buy as well? There are a few used one's on MEC's online gearswap, but I do not know the people selling them. I would assume because it's a piece of "safety" gear that new is better... Thanks

I noticed Jetboil has the sumo group cooking system now: http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/StovesFuel/Stoves/PRD~5027-179/jetboil-sumo-group-cooking-system.jsp How does this compare to the reactor now that the pot is the similar size?

Thanks! I searched some more and found out the thermawrap is 50g exceloft, and the nano puff is 60g primaloft-1. So they are pretty close, still haven't tried on a nano puff though...

how does the igniter compare to the MHW compressor? I noticed they no longer use PL1 in the compressor...

how does the montbell thermawrap jacket compare to the nanopuff jacket as far as warmth and weight goes?

Thanks for all the information, seems like I have more reading than I thought. Those links are definitely helpful. I have already taken classes, and i have used some beacons in the past, but I just can't justify paying $600 for something I may only get to use a few times a year. I will not buy a "cheap" beacon, for obvious reasons such as safety and reliability, I'm just looking for something in between. I will look for a digital 3 antenna beacon, like suggested. The Mammut beacons look really nice, I will have to do some more searching to get the best new beacon that I can afford. I'll check out the backcountry sale as well. And once I find a beacon, I will make sure I know how to use it very well, before I take it outside. I've practiced with them before with friends' beacons, hiding the beacons and finding them at night. A fun exercise at the least Thanks for the help

Can someone recommend me an affordable/inexpensive avalanche beacon? I do some skiing, but would use it mostly on winter climbing excusions, and would like it have it for when I do more skiing in the future. I would prefer digital. Can someone brand/model that is reliable as well? Thanks

has anyone been up recently? The last MCR sounded like there would still be a lot of snow!

Awesome, the pictures really help to understand the fit. Thanks!

thanks for the help everyone. I will keep trying my layer systems and see what fits best. I know the pros/cons of down vs synthetic, I just was unsure about the amount of room the down jackets need. Makes sense now though. Dane: thanks for the blog link, I will check that out tonight.

awesome! I always wondered how often that route gets climbed. nice to see some pics!!

I have a question about fitting down jackets/parkas. It may be obvious, but I have never owned a down jacket and I am curious how tight they should fit. I realize it shouldnt be too tight so that the down compresses, but it also shouldn't be too loose that your body heat can easily escape. For example, I recently acquired a Feathered Friends Volant jacket. It is size large and when I zip it up, it is snug around my torso, and the sleeve lengths are fine. I assume this is a good fit, provided it's not snug enough to compress the down. I was wearing a R1 hoody and I think it may be even more snug once I put on a shell and another insul. layer. Furthermore, I tried on a Montbell Alpine light down parka in an XL. In my experience with montbell, they are a size small. (I own a large thermawrap and it fits like a medium). It is a bit long in the sleeves, and when zipped up, I feel like there is a bit of space between the inner layer of the jacket and my body. This space would probably be taken up once I put a layer or two more on (I was only wearing a base layer). What I am trying to ask is, when fitting a down jacket to go over top of everything, do you size it for extra space (like how the montbell feels?) or do you size it so it is snug (like how the volant feels)? I have a synthetic belay parka similar to the Pat. DAS and it is sized a bit big, but it also has an adjustable waist so I can snug it up. thanks for the help!

Thanks forthe link, I will check that out this evening. As far as the snoe blades, or any type of new ski equipment, I would definitely learn and get comfortable with it at the ski hill/resort first. Thanks!

Hi I was hoping to get some advice on skiing setups and what works best for the following: winter mountaineering snowy approaches (instead of snow shoes) Back country skiing Easy snow descents I have down hilled skiied a bit before, but don't have any interest in the busy ski resorts. Furthermore, it makes more sense to ski in/out during winter mountaineering instead of snowshoes or just boots. I have no back country experience but would like some advice on what types of setups are most versatile and reliable. I would prefer to find bindings that can adapt to mountain boots (LS Nepal EVO) or double boots of some sort. As well as use ski specific boots for easier snow ascents (no climbing involved) Or if there is a website similar to cc.com that would help, please suggest. Thanks!

Those synchros are badass! Never heard of them, how much did you pay?? What kind of milage (curious) do you get?

How is the clearance? How is it on logging roads? What is your average MPG? Sleep in the back? Any problems since you've owned it?

Awesome! Thanks for all the info!