Dhamma

FF confirmed the only difference is the amount of loft. I am selling my WM Antelope and ordered the Widgeon because I want the waterproof shell. Why did you sell yours?

I have a WM Antelope bag and even in the long length I don't have room to put water bottles and stuff at the foot of the bag. My feet touch the bottom, which is strange because I'm only 6'2". I found that Feathered Friends bags are longer. I like the hood of the WM bag better, but fitting my gear in takes priority. Does anyone have a Snowbunting or Widgeon? Is the only difference between these 2 bags down fill weight? Is tuck/stitch baffling important? My Antelope has overfill with a fill weight approx the same as the Widgeon, so I am leaning that direction. Use is winter and mountaineering lower 48. Thanks

Thank very much for the thoughtful reply. I guess I should have stated what I use the jackets for. Mountaineering/14ers. 4 season, and ice climbing. The Volant is one of my favorite pieces of gear, but there are a few things that bug me about it. 1- it is a little too short in the torso-I frequently have to pull it down, and 2- I wish there was a pocket or 2 for me to stick water bottles in. If you stick a nalgene in a Volant and start moving it will fall out the bottom since it has no drawcord hem. Also my XL Volant was a bit on the snug side with multiple layers underneath. I called and talked to Feathered Freinds and they told me that though the sizing chart makes the size dimensions look the same for the Volant and Frontpoint, that the Frontpoint was cut roomier in reality. He also told me to size up one on the Helios. I ended up ordering the Frontpoint in XL and the Hooded Helios in XXL, and I say a bittersweet goodbye to my XL Volant-it is on eBay.

yes. you seal the seals adn it is completely waterproof. (as long as you use the lid)

Dude you will love this pack. I have used it extensively for 2-3 days in the backcountry, and collapsed it down for a summitpack. It is rad. If you can afford it, get the W/NWD it is worth the stupid price for the durability and being waterproof (plus it looks badass). I have a 30L in W/NWD and I wish my 45L was in the same fabric

Someone help me make a case. Partially I want a new parka, but also, I've been a bit cold on the last 2 trips and I'm wondering if I should change my parka quiver. I have a 7 year old Volant that I absolutely love, but I am thinking about selling it and buying a Helios with no hood for milder stuff, and a Frontpoint for high-altitude/winter. Has anyone worn both? How much warmer is the Frontpoint than that Volant? Thanks!

I have the 30L W/NWD and a 45L in regular fabric. I love both. I've climbed with the 45L as a summitpack on multiday trips. I'm 6'2 and got the long shoulder straps. I debated for a long time before shelling out cash for the dynemma, but it was the right choice, that shit is burly and waterproof. its really nice.

http://snowslog.blogspot.com/2014/12/mt.html?spref=fb

Just something I started doing when I was bored and unemployed last year. Now that I have a job I don't have that much time, but I add trip reports as they come. Most recent was Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's Route... http://snowslog.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the advice. I ordered Petzl Sarkens and Grivel G22s. I will keep the one that fits the best

I'm trying tog figure out if the G12 or G14 will work on my size 48 Evo Nepals. Do the crampons come with extender bars? I'm looking to place old worn out BD saber tooth pros (which I love). I ready there were some problems with the new stainless horizontal front points. I mainly climb couloirs, glaciers, light mixed and roadside ice cragging. Any suggestions for my huge feet?

If you go FF I would be very disinclined to get the UL. I would stick with the nano fabric. What good is super light if it gets ruined in a year or 2

I recently picked up an Alpinlite and a Flash jacket with the standard fabric on fleabay. The bag was new and the jacket used. I took the bag out and got in it and heard a popping sound and saw to my horror that somehow the stitching had blown. It is at WM getting fixed as we speak. The Flash jacket is great, but it has quite a few loose thread ends and especially on the belly of the jacket. I am a bit concerned about the durability. I am not particularly hard on down gear, but I've not had to baby it either. I've worn the jacket daily for a few weeks and am noticing some wear already. I've had a FF Volant for 6 years with 0 issues and a Marmot bag I've beaten the piss out of and I've never blown a seam. Did I just have some bad luck buying someone else's problem or is this ultralight stuff just not meant to last long? I'm considering selling both and going to FF for all my down gear. Thoughts?

Put them in a free tyvek envelope from the post office and shove them in your pack

im wondering if the down sweater would do the same role and maybe the nano puff is unnecessary. guess ill find out

Whos got one, what do you wear it for? My gear whoreness just forced me to pick up a new one for 100 bucks online. Going to use it as a warm winter layer instead of a fleece, but trying to find other uses. Far as outerwear, I already have: Hooded patagucc down sweater for light belay duty. marmot windshirt pata ascentionist pata r1 hoody FF volant where does the nano puff fit in for you?

http://www.petzl.com/en/outdoor/ice-climbing-tools Sweet! Anyone tried them out? Reviews? Thoughts? I'm upgrading from Aztars this year. Do mostly Alpine Ice/Mountaineering, but also like to climb water ice in the winter. Thinking about either the new Quarks or Nomics.

always appreciate review of safety info. thanks

awesome pics. thanks

My buddy Anthony and I climbed Shasta this past weekend. It was his first 14er and he summited on his first try. This was my 3rd time on the mountain-the first 2 attempts resulting in failure for various reasons not within my control: one trip a party member became ill with severe AMS and I had to solo-escort him and all his gear down, the other--a solo trip because my partner flaked last minute-- I was turned back by t-storms at Helen Lake right at the end of the season when the last of the snow had melted out. Defeated by Mother Nature, I had to wait 7 months for another shot. This year the snow-pack was at 150% and we had a beautiful 2 days with clear skies and light winds. It hadn't occurred to us, until we started seeing cars lined down Everett Memorial WELL before the parking lot, that Memorial Day would turn Mt. Shasta into Disney Land. We took Green Butte Ridge and cut over towards the top of Avy Gultch to avoid the circus; I counted at least 60 people heading up the Gulch for the Summit. Some shit for brains teenager with no sense of self-preservation rode an inner tube down a super low-angle slope on Green Butte from about 11k ft with snow shoes on his feet--probably hit 50 miles an hour all the way to 50/50 before he cheese grated and didn't move for about 5 minutes. I've climbed several peaks in the High Sierra and done a lot of more technical ice/rock/mixed stuff at lower altitude, but it felt good to finally climb Shasta after several failures. The specs are people welcome to mountaineering Anthony. hahaha

smart man

Dane, i have a Volant with a hood. Trust me. You should get one to review. Its an oven. I will NEVER sell this jacket

My partner flaked. Let's leave tuesday. I have the whole week off work. Pm me

id love to see pics of aztar mods. was thinking about this with my aztars

thanks