benxcski

bump. Stuffs on ebay, so make an offer and if I accept I will end the auction, or maybe you can hope to get a few bucks off on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/radbike123/m.html?item=281099379603&ViewItem=&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

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Pictures at http://mountainproject.com/v/western-mountaineering-puma-ems-exp--30-expedition-sleeping-bags--25-and--30-f-/108107826 and http://mountainproject.com/v/marmot-8000m-down-parka-and-pants-down-sweaters-primaloft/108107863 Eastern Mountain Sports EXP -30 down bag in bright purple. Left zip, size long. I am pretty sure the shell is either Pertex or GWS. 52 OZ of 700-800 fill means this is truly a 4 season bag, and the -30 rating is pretty accurate. I have two of these and will send you the one that has only been used as a comforter once or twice. Looking for reasonable offers around 375-400 depending on how you want it shipped, as comparable bags go for 600-800 new. I also have some other down gear (down sweaters, primaloft jackets, TNF Himalayan pants sz small) that I will bundle. Willing to package. Time to get some warm stuff before you fly out. Feel free to PM an offer.

Couple pics added as requested to the TR. I haven't finished processing photos and video from the trip, so just a taste.

Trip: Svaneti, Republic of Georgia - Various Date: 3/18/2013 Trip Report: Note: More detailed pictures and writing on my blog, theworldofbcor.blogspot.com. I decided on a whim to head to the Republic of Georgia for some skiing over Williams' two week spring break. Not too hellish of travel with a direct flight to Munich via Lufthansa and then a 4 hour flight from there to Tbilisi, followed by a long layover and 1.5 hour twin otter flight if the plane is running (rarely, though worth checking and $45 US one way to Mestia) or a 9 hour mini bus ride (quite a cultural experience, just be sure to grab your ski bag and then hop a cab and have them call the marschrutka driver for Mestia). Once in Svaneti, a sparsely populated, mountainous region in the NW of the Republic of Georgia, you realize that there is limitless terrain. The Svaneti range to the south has plenty of 4,000 plus meter lines, and the Greater Caucasus to the N (make sure to not cross the Russian border) have stuff in the 4700 meter range. Even in March, there was still perfect powder on some aspects, followed by nice corn, and then more powder later in the week. A chopper would be nice, but given the occupied territory around Svaneti (Ossetia and Abkhazia) over which numerous recent wars have been fought, its difficult to get one in. As I was headed out through Munich, a rumored German group who chartered a chopper and security from Turkey were headed over; this was the first time a western group had had a chopper in a couple years. But no worries, you can ski plenty of stuff straight from village homestays, get (free) or cheap rides in (Soviet jeeps) or more current Japanese AWD vehicles. There are a couple of snowmobiles (4-5 max in the entire region), but with some Svan hospitality you can probably figure out a way to get one for a couple days if necessary. Food and housing available for $20 US- $50 US per person very easily, depending on if you want a traditional homestay and endless wine and food, or more Western hotel-ish accomadations (though in the winter these end up being mostly a homestay). I'd reccomend Hotel Hatsvali (tell Vito Ben Corwin sent you), Roza's guest house (same deal), or Grand Hotel Ushba if in Becho/ Mazeri. This place is packed in summer due to beautiful nature and views, but in winter there are less than a dozen Western groups per season, and the lifts at Hatsvali, the local hill, are almost always empty. Anyways, onto the skiing. Hatsvali, about 30 mins from town (free transport if the employee minibus driver is nice, your host will know where to meet it), $9 US for a day pass. 1800 vertical feet or so, with one well-maintained piste and hundreds of off-piste options. The local Georgians, of whom the majority of skiers at Hatsvali belong, either don't have powder skis or just like to rip wide GS turns. But the lift-assisted powder skiing is some of the best I've ever had: steep birches, large evergreens, old lift lines, roadcut drops, etc. And this was in March with only a foot of fresh. Hotel Hatsvali is at the base, and the top has an awesome summit restaurant. Unknown hours and options, but I was invited in for lunch and drinks by the director of the resort and some friends, and there's often some employees lounging on the deck. From the top of Hatsvali, you can ski down to Ili (pronounced Yelli) village, and try to get a ride out. But other touring options about just out of town past the airport, above town near the cross (where there are ski races in August), and pretty much every side valley and village has nice lines within easy skinning distance of the road. I won't go into detail on the lines we skied, but you can find an adventure and stable slopes almost anywhere you look (Geoland maps are hard to come by, email me and I'll do my best to get you an emailed scan of some precious 1:50,000 topos). Some of the ridges outside of Becho on Ushba are awesome, as are the slopes near Tetnuldi. I didn't have a chance to ski Laila, but with a tent and a couple days the Svaneti range has lots of potential. And if you can finish in a village, you'll always have delicious Svan pancakes, local meat and potatoes, jams, "tourist" salad, and plenty of wine. If you do end up taking my advice and going to one of the best "unfound" and easy to access ski destinations on earth, please mention that you saw this and email me at benski123@gmail.com and I'll get you mobile phone #s for contacts while you're there, as well as personal emails for guesthouses and guides and such. I'm working with some of the locals to see how winter revenue can be increased, and if word-of-mouth is effective or if marketing of some sort is necessary in order to convince skiers to try out Svaneti's lines. During summer, most people are employed, but in winter, alcoholism is becoming increasingly problematic, and extending the tourism and guiding season (right now there's really only one guide in the entire region) could be very good for the community. Gear Notes: Aki gear is nearly impossible to find in Svaneti, and there is 1 ski shop that sells stuff in Tbilisi. Make sure to bring spares. Ice axe and rope are nice along with a couple pickets or screws and maybe a small rack. Approach Notes: Fly to Europe. Fly to Tbilisi on Lufthansa, KLM, Airzena, Georgian, Air Baltic, etc. 10 hour minibus from the train station to Mestia, or $200 private taxi. If weather is good, twin otters leave around 11am on alternating days, but the airport has no radar or guidance beacon so flights are rare.

Hi- I'll be in the stans this summer and looking for a couple people to join up for treks, easier rock first ascents, 6500-7500 meter alpine style ascents. Leaving Dushanbe July 12th so on the earlier end of the season, but free June - then for a week or two. Visas and border permits take a while but can be done in time if you want to PM me. Ben

speed radicals and ev2 sold. most everything else still available.

bump. lots of stuff still available, PM to check

bump. adding some dynafit speed radicals, brand new. $375.

bump. some stuff still available. send pm or better email benski123@gmail. don't forget free patagucci with purchase:)

pm sent.

Bump. Get some gear for them big peaks coming up.

anyone? I will take any reasonable offer. Disclaimer: I bought a lady's entire Patagonia wardrobe for lots of long underwear to donate to kids in the Republic of Georgia. Trying to make back some of the price so I can infuse more $$ into their economy.

some stuff sold. If you buy $250 worth of stuff I'll throw in a free Patagonia fleece or ski jacket.

Lots of retro patagonia gear. Details and pictures here: http://mountainproject.com/v/patagonia-ski-jackets-shelled-synchillas-snap-t-fleeces/108026702 and http://mountainproject.com/v/patagonia-capilene-jackets-fleeces-wind-pants/108026643 I'll take $5 if you're from the NW. PM or email benski123@gmail.com is fine. If you buy my EV2 tent, I'll even throw in a jacket for free if you want.

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thanks

First Ascent hoody, green, medium, brand new. $32 shipped. Patagonia Piton hoody, cilantro, medium, brand new wo tags. $122.50 shipped. First ascent heyburn pants, blue, m. brand new pair of waterproof ski pants. $120 shipped. Patatonia nano puff hoody, size small, brand new, blue. $162.5 shipped. Black Diamond Icon headlamp, green previous version. Very good condition with newish batteries. $35 shipped. Julbo monterosa sunglasses, white, brand new with case and all. $62.50 shipped. First ascent expedition flannel, polyester, blue/black, size medium. $42.50 shipped. Mountain Hardwear EV2 brand new four season tent. $410 shipped, 410 if you pick up in VT. Petzl Altios helmet, smaller of the two sizes. Grey. Used but not abused or fallen on. $45 shipped. Sterling ropes e gift certificate for $200 and 15% code bundle $165 Free with any purchase: $10 to liftopia, for cheap lift tickets. Garmont G-ride boots, 26-26.5, used one season. $75 + shipping from MA First Ascent downlines jacket, $180. Waterproof 700 fill. size medium. First Ascent downlight sweater, size sm (fits like a m). Forest/ dark green. New. $80 shipped. Brooks Range duffel, large (probably 120 liters). With backpack straps and such. $100. North face down pants, 700 fill, sz small with gore dry loft. $200 shipped. Canari cycling softshell. Reflective, very warm, great for skiing. $75 shipped. Swix beanie, Craft striped blue+ red norwegian flag beanie. $15 each shipped. Columbia reflective beanie, brand new, navy with green accent logo. $20 shipped. First ascent Summit mitts or liners only, waterproof down and primaloft expedition mitts. New. $100 shipped. Patagonia capilene hat, dark blue. $12 shipped.

Stove, punisher gloves sold, everything else up for offers. Tell me what I need to do to get you to buy something that you want and I'll see what I can do.

new patagucci stuff added

some new stuff added. make an offer.

adding a bibler/ black diamond eldorado, brand new in package. $415 shipped to your door in the lower 48. PM with questions. I've got some down gear, dynafits, climbing stuff, xgk stove for sale as well if you want to make a package offer.

naxos sold, prices reduced on dynafits, nikon dslr, others. feel free to email benski123@gmail.com with offers.

feel free to make a reasonable offer on anything. leaving in a couple weeks and need to trade gear for experiences.

Doing a big winter cleaning to raise funds for a trip to Georgia. Shipping included to PNW. Free with any purchase: $10or $20 to liftopia, for cheap lift tickets. Dynafit Vertical FT12s with high torque. Includes one brand new heel, otherwise in very good condition in original box, with all screws. Asking for 375. Julbo Monterosa sunglasses, white frames, brand new. $65 shipped. Marmot alpinist new in bag. $485 shipped. Mtn Hardwear EV2 tent, brand new in package. $460 shipped. Patagonia nano puff hoody, small, blue, brand new. $165 shipped. Patagonia piton hoody, cilantro, small, brand new. $125 shipped. First Ascent downlight sweater, size sm (fits like a m). Forest/ dark green. New. $90 shipped. First ascent polyester expedition flannel, blue/black, size medium. brand new. $50 shipped. First Ascent microtherm vest, small, blue. $70 shipped. Sterling rope gift cert for 200, asking $175. Good online, on outlet, etc. Garmont G-ride boots, 26-26.5, used one season. $75 + shipping from MA First Ascent downlines jacket, $200. Waterproof 700 fill. size medium. First ascent hoody, green, mens medium. $30 shipped. Petzl Altios helmet, smaller of the two sizes. Grey. Used but not abused or fallen on. $45 shipped. MSR XGK stove- earlier one, includes msr fuel bottle, pump, some tools/ maintenance stuff. $80 shipped. Swix beanie, Craft striped blue+ red norwegian flag beanie. $15 each shipped. Columbia reflective beanie, brand new, navy with green accent logo. $20 shipped. First ascent Summit mitts, waterproof down and primaloft expedition mitts. New. $100 shipped. Nikon D80 or D50 DSLR. Great condition, just upgrading. 5k or so shots on the shutter. $250 or $150 for the body+ battery, +125 if you want a 50mm 1.8 lens too. Patagonia capilene hat, dark blue. $12 shipped. Black Diamond punisher gloves, Green, medium. Brand New with tag. $65 shipped. Canari cycling softshell. Reflective, very warm, great for skiing. $75 shipped. North face down pants, 700 fill, sz small with gore dry loft. $240 shipped. Ski stuff: swix lf 12 combo wax packs 60 grams. Your skis will be faster than anyone else. Cerruti 1881 ski suit, Womens 8. White with beige accents. One of very few from the Cerruti fashion house. $250 shipped.