BigSky

Psychological calories don't cut it for me personally. My favorites are sausage or salami, cheese, home-made granola, and Hammer Perpetuem if the situation is right.

They don't inspire confidence upon installation, but do seem to hold up (so far).

Some of the lighter Rab gaiters are nice. I've used OR croc's, verglas, and flex-tex too. For use with trail shoes the Flex Tex's are awesome. Fit has a lot to do with my preferences, and the Verglas have the same cut as the OLD croc's which works for me.

I've used both and if Kayland fits your foot well, either would be great. I currently climb in the Hyper Tractions and would not hesitate to suggest them for the conditions you mentioned. They are definitely a bit warmer and while slightly stiffer, not uncomfortable at all for approaches. They are a good deal at $400 too.

If you can find a Golite Ion it's a great leader pack for me.

I'd agree with the older/decent tool plan. You can even catch used aztars and quarks for very cheap if you keep an eye out.

It's small but not much smaller than anything else from the newer generation of tools. I've pounded plenty of pitons and a few pickets with it and it worked as expected. Call me ghetto but I'm not shy about using the side of a T-rated pick to put in pickets anyway. I'd agree it wouldn't be my favorite axe to plunge but if it's a second tool I'm not likely to be using it much for that--more likely high or low dagger position or traction, which it excels in. Your raven is going to be more comfortable for general mountaineering techniques. The goofy rubber accordian thing is very nice for gripping below the head for what it's worth. Hope this helps.

I use a Grivel Matrix light hammer with a slider for your described application. Lots of tools will work just fine. For occasional 2nd tool use I wouldn't necessarily worry about a replaceable pick.

Supersafe or Millet Triaxiale (10+) are good bets.

Give me a middle mark and keep the bicolor.

20% off coupon

Just a heads up, I saw that prolite has a 20% coupon going so if you're thinking Hypertraction you can save some $$$. Coupon

I've climbed in both and love both. Hypertraction gets the nod for me with a little more stiffness.

I had a String Ridge for a while. It was much nicer than I expected it to be--one of the few tents I'd consider owning again outside of a Hille.

I can go pretty cold with a guide style, leather palmed, mountain glove for general use. I guess it depends a lot if 5 is going to be your norm or the coldest expected temp.

I don't really have a problem trusting Kerlon 1200, though for an expedition tent I can't fault a guy for wanting 1800. ID's tents do go together much more easily than Bibler and Rab.

ECB gave you better info for the Convert than I can give you for the Jannu. I do have a couple of Hilleberg tents and have set up and been in nearly all of them, Jannu included. It is definitely more cold weather oriented compared to many 4-season tents...built stout, but doesn't have the ventilation options of the Nallo's, Allak, or BA String Ridge for example. It is put together pretty tightly (read: temp. boost). For what it's worth, Hilleberg's have consistently been the best made (attention to detail, quality, etc.) double wall tents that I've ever seen. Up to you to decide what fits your needs, but I decided the Jannu was more cold weather inclined than I need. Good luck!

I've had all three you mention as well and the G14's probably fit my boots the best on average. The performance was indistinguishable to my elementary foot the for Cyborg and G14.

Assuming you'd like something in the Oasis price range, my money would be on Big Agnes for a 3-season option. The Copper Spur is a fair amount of tent for a 3-season. Honestly though you can find 4-season tents in the three season weight range anymore. Check out the Hilleberg Nallo 2 or 2 GT. The Nallo 2 is in the 4.5 lb range all up and will handle heavy weather.

I am very impressed with my NW alpine gear. Just ordered a second pair of Fast/Light's in fact.

+1

Rab would be worth a try. I really like my Xenon, though the hood is of the under helmet variety and possibly the only thing I'd change. Rab's cut is generally different enough from the standards to see if it's for you. Some of their Generator line is hoodless if your looking that route.

I'm pretty sure production is discontinued, but Prolite appears to have recently gotten some Hagan Nanook's. First I've seen them in the US, shame about the discontinuation.

Were you on the Thrill early saturday by chance? I have a picture of a party on it taken from Mummy II.

Looking forward to some discourse, I was about to start a similar topic in the next day or two.