Gregory.S.

I have an REI credit and they have the 20% sale going on so I am looking to buy my first pair of actual mountaineering boots (backpacking boots up until now). I have gone into REI and the two boots at my closest store that I feel are good options are the LOWA mountain expert GTX and the Scarpa Charmox GTX. I have spent a lot of time wearing the LOWA's and would prefer them because of their insulation (want to use them for baker, rainier (multiple trips), shuksan, etc. The LOWA's mostly fit but seem a little tight around the front of my feet (right before my toes). It is more of a light pressure but it is obviously pressing against that part of my foot more than any other. I had planned on just buying the LOWA's until I realized this is a problem as the largest size they carry (13) would not comfortable allow me to wear a liner and wool sock. Any thoughts, feelings about the SCARPA's and LOWA's?

I know! I sized slightly up in order to use thicker socks and waterproof them. I know its not ideal, I was just making sure there were not other reasons I had missed previously that would make it a bad idea.

"I would either rent or buy plastic boots (buy if you think you will get more use out of them to justify. Like going to denali or acon-choss-ua or something like) Don't be the guy with leather boots. seriously. gaiters, the standard OR kind is fine." genepires, I was just wondering if you could specify why it is such a bad thing? I personally know people who have used leather backpacking boots with BD contact crampons (I used Vasque boots with contacts for adams Which I know IS different). I had been considering using them for baker with two pairs of wool socks so that I could have one less thing to pay for (as I have already spent waaay too much on this hobby), why exactly is it such a bad thing?

I have not sold anything on here before and if you would rather meet in person I live in northern wa state (along i5 nearish the border with Canada).

SOLD;;;;

I understand the sentiment but it takes a lot for me to want to wear a protective hood. By the time that happened I would just wear a hard shell anyways.

I wanted to report something. I bought the patagonia traverse soft shell (50% off) last week. It is ultra thin and not super protective but by far the lightest weight "soft shell" I have ever come across. I might not use it to replace my nano puff but use it in conjunction with an r2. Definitely worth the money if you can find it for less than 80$.

I was wondering about that too! I tried googling it but could not find anything.

Thank you for all of the replies, some good advice. I wanted to save weight but I am looking at the patagonia traverse jacket now which is pretty light weight, not too bad to just throw in the pack to give that extra option of base layer + softshell or base layer + shoftshell + nano if its cold but not freezing.

To clarify, I would be using the nano puff as a mid and outer layer (nano puff and possibly a wind shirt , instead of softshell + r2).

In hopes of shedding a little weight I picked up a nano puff pullover that was on sale. I had hoped that I would be able to use it to replace a soft shell in many conditions that I would be wearing a soft shell and an R2. For the most part soft shells seem to be really heavy and I would like to due away with mine. Windshirt and nano? Light soft shell? Any other experiences with this?

This coat did not end up working as a belay jacket (a little to small with my shell on). I never used it for climbing and only wore it a total of two weeks when it was snowing outside. I have never sold anything on here but if you still feel comfortable buying it I am selling it for $80. Black: XL. Pictures tomorrow if desired!

Thank you for all of the great replies! I was kind of leaning towards it being too small and after sleeping on it and reading this responses I reached that conclusion. I like my MH bag but I am looking for something a little different. A little simpler, maybe a tad smaller for "climbs" that are more technical hiking than climbing (non technical routes: hood, adams, baker etc.).

Right now I have a mountain hardwear direttissima 46 (large size is 50ish liters). I am thinking about buying the Marmot Centaur 38 Pack (link below) but am not sure if it would be too small. I would use it for Adams, Hood, Baker, Shuksan, etc. What does everybody else use for mountains like these? Also, the Large I would be getting is 41 liters. 1-3 nights on average. http://www.rei.com/product/833155/marmot-centaur-38-pack-2011-closeout,-dark-coal/black,-large?preferredSku=8331550002?cm_mmc&mr:trackingCode=AE12AAF4-D12C-E111-B2D2-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA

Thats what I figured! Thanks guys, I will keep an eye out!

Looking to buy anything 57cm or larger.

Getting ready to start looking for one. I have mostly used BD raven pro but want something a little different for some of the steeper stuff I plan to do on shuksan, baker, and rainier. Any experiences with the venom?

I am looking to buy the DAS Now. I have found a few options to buy the DAS in black or dark green but was wondering if anybody had an opinion about this? I have always noticed / tried to buy bright colors since it will be used in the back country. Any thoughts?

That is what I had thought about doing too! I was going to go up to winchester to take a look at larrabee but our car didnt make it more than a mile at the start of the forest road until our car couldnt make. We ended up having to hike (4?)miles to the parking lot. Thenthe 2.5 mile road to the trail head. By the time we got to the TH it was pretty late and we were tired and decided to head back.

Anybody have any experiences there? I am thinking about checking it out during the summer.

I broke and ordered the MH compressor (hooded) from REI. I am kind of torn because though it is warm I am not sure how well it would hold up on rainier during those really cold moments around camp. Back to my original dilemma.

Im going to do most if not all of my climbing spring / summer / fall, nothing in the winter. Right now I am leaning towards the MH Compressor (hooded). I have the MH Axial hardshell and can fit a big puffy underneath it so I think it should be okay. From what I have been reading a down puffy might not be the best choice.

Lots of hiking and mountains like adams, hood, baker, rainier during fall and summer. I do like the idea of having a coat that would just keep me supppppper warm. I am also looking at the Mountain Hardwear compressor (below). I think Its between the mountain hardwear, rei antifreeze and marmot down. I know down gets wet pretty quickly but if its practical to just put under a hardshell I may get that so I can stay extra warm. http://www.backcountry.com/mountain-hardwear-compressor-insulated-hooded-jacket-mens?CMP_SKU=MHW1910&MER=0406&CMP_ID=SH_FRO001&mv_pc=r126&mr:trackingCode=883D7A1E-27F7-E011-87D9-001B21A69EB8&mr:referralID=NA

I have pretty much every layer I need for a while (minus a general warm coat to use when belaying or hanging out around camp). I went up on adams over the summer and even at the lunch counter I was pretty uncomfortable in my thermal + softshell and an outershell I brought with me. I bought a thin performance fleece for when I am active (if it is really cold) but want to buy a warmer jacket, possibly a down jacket. I know that down has some serious issues with water but I have not seen too many synthetics that I liked yet. I have a hardshell now and figured I could wear it over any down I buy but I am not sure how practical that would be? I would also possibly be wearing it around town / school as It can get pretty miserable during the winter. Any recommendations or opinions on my choices would be appreciated. Options so far (favorite to least favorite) http://www.rei.com/product/802247/rei-antifreeze-down-jacket-mens http://www.amazon.com/Marmot-Stockholm-Down-Jacket-Mens/dp/B002OLYBIK http://www.backcountry.com/montbell-thermawrap-bc-insulation-jacket-mens

Funny you should say that. That was my third option!