monoloco

As a ChillyThistle lurker, I want to join in wishing you the best Dane! Greatly enjoy your posts - always informative and interesting.

In for the following if still avail petsl ice screw racking biners (2) v thread tools w/hex wrench end quarks (if others fall through) bd roll up ice screw bag (1) bd 16cm new-style screw (3) charlet ice leash (2)

PM sent on Venoms. Also, put me in line for screws if others fall through... LOL

AAI did in fact strongly recommend plastics, but for early or late season climbs. Having gone through several days of constant wet wx on an early season guided (AAI) Baker class, I can attest to the wisdom of plastic boots for multi-day trips in (likely) inclement weather - totally different than a day or overnight peag-bagging attempt. On day 5 of standing in wet snow and/or rain, it was very comforting to be able to dry the liners out. I'll also highly recommend the Scarpa Alpha (or newer version, the Omega) as a much more "nimble" alternative to the Inverno.

Noobishly, I didn't interpret it that way at all. I wear seatbelts, rope up, wear helmets... But it they're all worthless if I start thinking that I can step a little too close to the fire, just because I have those backups.

That's an interesting comment. A couple of weeks ago, one of our group asked a guide what he though of wearing Avalungs etc. He replied that yes, it's all good, but also that anyone who is looking down a slope and thinking they NEED the gear, has already made the first (and possibly fatal) mistake in judgment.

Dane, maybe I'm an exception to the rule and hopefully it's the result of having other (non-snow/alpine) climbing experience, but I would never assume that a summit is guaranteed. If nothing else, as an "old guy" I know better than to think that the mountains always deliver - guide or no guide. If we're talking specifically about guided summit trips and folks with near-zero mountain experiences, then I can see how the pressure might be pretty intense on guides to deliver the experience. I don't envy the guide services and schools. OTOH, for someone with limited time and not living near such mountain ranges, a "school" was an excellent vehicle for acquiring some essential glacier skills. Anyway, I just wanted to comment on my experience - and it's true that I was on a different peak, and under diff circumstances. YMMV...

American Alpine Institute

Having just spent a week with AAI on Mt.Baker I can add this: It's true that for a noob, though very disappointing not to summit (we did not due to the difficult conditions and avy danger), it is indeed a rush just to get onto the mountain and receive an intro into glacier travel and skills which will hopefully translate into safe and successful summit bid on the next trip (with or w/out guide services). In AAI's case, we were offered their "second summit" option if we wanted to try again, which means could sign up for the minimum 3-day Baker summit trip for 1/2 price. It seemed very clear that safety was the primary concern and at no time did we see our guide suggest that we should push the safety "envelope" in order to bag the summit.

I'm told that www.airporter.com shuttle would get you to Bellingham if that helps.

I picked one up a couple of weeks (months?) when they first went on sale. Unfortunately, the season was already over (here in mid-Atlantic) so I can't speak to experience. I can say that it appears to be very nicely thought out and well made. It also has a BIG hood (I hate wimpy hoods that don't work with helmets) which is great! It is bulkier than I'm used to (I've never owned a poly puffy, only down). My only other real "concern" is the one way zipper. I'm on the short side (5'7") and wear a medium. It's cut *relatively* long and I'm not sure if it's going to get in way of access to harness/ATC when I actually get around to using it as a belay jacket. I'll know more in two weeks when I'm headed Baker way...

Holy shite! 145 buckaroos!! Arc'T stuff is nice, so I'm suure it's worth it, but sheesh... Anyway, what's sketch about the BD harness? I'm guessing it's not as comfy to hang in, but looks like a great upgrade to the Alpine Bod.

Suggestions for descent training (other than actual climbs)?

Got it. Will watch wx and make call closer to travel dates. Thank you kindly...all.

Easton (I presume) AAI noob course. Suspect there'll be some standing around taking turns watching folks z-haul... Im new to glacier travel/camping and the Cascades in general (have backpacked one fall there). Thus the noob question. I hate heavy and i'll be humping a larger load than i'm used to anyway. So down layer is attractive in terms of bulk and weight.

Noob question I guess. Just not sure how wet cascades are in early spring (last week of may?) and I know how variable conditions can be. Options are MH Phantom or new-to-me First Ascent Igniter. Will I regret goind with down as my standing-around layer?

Selling Dragontail AND factory groundcloth. Tent was setup ONCE for a photo shoot and then taken down. Everything still has the factory tags still attached, and the ground cloth has never been unfolded. The stakes will show some minor scratches from having been used that one time. Otherwise, essentially new! Retail for tent is $480 and $40 for groundcloth. ASKING $350 + shipping Lovely tent, it's just not suited to mid-atlantic, where I can get away with 3-season tents....

The fabric is similar but different. Portions have a micro-waffle like texture. I've not had it in extended rain, but in snow and wet/snow I've had not issues. It does also have a little "nanoshere" tag. Yes, the cuffs have a flexible plastic tab (which I dislike). The "real" Laser just has elastic and thumbloops. The sleeve fit on China jacket is also not as snug - i guess the overall fit is less "athletic". The front zipper is not waterproof, but the pockets are. "Real" Laser has WP zips everywhere. Stitching is about the same or maybe a little bit lesser in quality. I just set the jackets side by side and frankly, if it's a fake, they did a damn fine job. My guess is that at the least, it's the same factories putting the stuff out. If there's interest - and I can figure out how to post pics - I'll shoot some detail photos tomorrow and post up.

I own a "real" Laser (well, I assume it's real as it was bought at a major outdoor store etc.). The fabric is absolutely incredible and the fit is excellent for climbing. For daily duty, I was bothered by the lack of extra pockets. Also, the sizing was on the small side, which again, was perfect for climbing, but shitty for layering and when used as a "car coat". When I saw the ebay jackets, i thought I'd risk the $35 and spring for one size larger. What I received *appears* to be authentic right down to the smallest detail (zipper pulls, hang tag, etc). However it is NOT the same jacket. Similar, but different in several regards. One possibility which I've considered is whether the ebay Lasers are the earlier "laser light" which comes up on some reviews found by googling. Or perhaps some other discontinued product etc. Unfortunately the ebay laser was missing some of the best features of the USA Laser, such as the thumbloops. I've now replaced it with a MH Manticore (no longer made) which I'm very happy with for general outdoors duty. YMMV....

Can someone tell me what the foam roller is (URL maybe)??

...one last comment and a question: At risk of getting mail-bombed by either mfg, I'll mention that the framesheet from a Cilo (60L??) fit's the Chernobyl quite well. I've used it to give the Chernobyl a little more "support". Not sure if long term it would cause wear issues on foam pad pocket. I just slip it between the folded foam halves. ... which brings me to my question: I really like the full foam pad on the CCW packs. In comparison, I own a MH "trance", which is in fact a nice pack, but which has a "U" shaped rod suspension with a skimpy foam pad to match. Yes it's removable, but worthless as a bivy pad. WHICH of these other packs have "real" removable foam backpads?

Glad for all the comments, which of course i realize are subjective evaluations. But that's what I want to hear ;-) I owned a 1st gen Cilo. Great design, but it just didn't work for ME (note emphasis on "me"). YMMV CCW's are hard not to like. Bomber, well thought out, and no BS features. My fear was that the Chaos might exceed the limits of the "class" and get too floppy/painful to carry. I'm and alpine noob and am shopping for relatively non-technical use. Ice axe, rope, minimal rack. I won't be sending WI8 any time soon. Carry less - understood. I'll also need to learn what I can do w/out, through personal experience. Right now, I'll err on side of caution and carry an extra layer or two, etc. As someone above suggests, I'm also intrigued by possibility of adding some side pockets to Chernobyl. In general I dislike strapped-on stuff, but with another 500ci or so, I could go with what i know. OTOH, I already own 3 other CCW's, so I might as well own them all :-o

I posted this in noob forum and someone (thanks) suggested putting it here. I know "which is the best yada yada" threads are stale. But if you recognize any of the items below and have either horrible or wonderful things to say about them, I'd be interested! Shopping and so far considering: CCW Chaos Wild Things Andinista Khazri 55 BD Quantum 55 MH South Col Criteria are ability to carry spring/fall multiday gear (including rope etc), relatively light weight, comfort with harness on and ability to compact/strip for summit climbs. In other words a good alpine multi-day pack. Can't fondle any of them locally. Have experience with CCW (all positive) and would consider using my Chernobyl, but worried that extra layers will stuff it beyond it's limits (comes in around 3000ci). I'm guessing I need 3500-4000ci. Comments welcome... pleeeeze?

Shopping and so far considering: CCW Chaos Wild Things Andinista Khazri 55 BD Quantum 55 MH South Col Can't fondle any of them locally. Have experience with CCW (all positive) and would consider using my Chernobyl, but worried that extra layers will stuff it beyond it's limits (comes in around 3000ci). I'm guessing I need 3500-4000ci. Comments welcome... pleeeeze?