Gregory.S.

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?

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!

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!

Pretty sure this is my actual last issue! We have bought / rented everything we need and I am now stuck with one last question. long johns or boxers? I know its the end of august so I am thinking I will be really hot in my marmot scree pants and boxers alone. Any thoughts> ?

One last issue that has come up. I was going to rent mountaineering boots and crampons, but somebody at REI told me I should use my hiking boots and buy a pair of Strap-On crampons. Does anybody think this is a good idea? From what I have heard for the most part people recommend a very secure firm boot, or would I be okay doing this on adams?

I know self arrest techniques with ice axes, and have read about methods for glissading in general (but have not spoken to anybody that has done it on Adams). I have not gone glissading before and feel hesitant to glissade down on Adams since I have not before.

Oh I do have one more question! Is there any way to control your glissade speed? Ice axe? Boots? etc.

I am bringing some fairly light hiking boots, but I have a pair of running shoes I could take in lieu? We are renting a lot of gear from our university that has a really price for day to day rentals. The hiking boots would offer a little more support and traction I think, unless thats not too much of an issue? From what I have heard this is still quiet a bit of snow for the time of year and should bring boots / crampons still. I am going to REI today to buy softshell pants and will probably wait on the softshell top as I do have a columbia coat with a removable liner. Me and my friend are getting pretty excited to go!

Me and a climbing (so far hiking) partner will be climbing Mt. Adams next Monday / Tuesday. We have both hiked quiet a bit and wanted to get a chance at Mt. Baker this year but it just did not work out. Our plan is to do mt. Adams next week, and work on conditioning over the winter to start off the year with Baker then Rainier a little later next season. Questions: Does anybody have any advice or words of wisdom? We plan on getting on the Mountain around 12-1pm and taking the south spur route. we will try to make it to the LC to camp but I am not sure if this is realistic given our late start? We plan on leaving early, around 2-3am to summit and make it down Tuesday. We have given ourselves a third day just in case it takes us longer or if there is a complication. We are renting most of our climbing gear (boots, crampons, sleeping pads, etc). Will we need helmets? It is best to just bring one, correct? The only thing I need to buy is clothing. I have an outer layer Columbia coat I will bring (there is a inner lining but from what I have heard that's not a good idea). I know I need to get a good soft shell pant / coat. I am thinking of Marmot scree pant, but need advice for the top. Sorry about the lengthy post!!!! Thank you for reading through it, I appreciate it.

Yeah I bought the 50, I would definitely end up carrying too much stuff and the 50 was more comfortable. Thank you for the feed back!

I am trying to choose between the 50l Direttissima (large) and the 70l South col by mountain hardware. Somebody at the outdoor store in portland told me that the 50l expanded quiet a bit and that they had used it for a lot of multi day trips with no problem. Right now I mostly go hiking / camping, however I am going to climb baker before the end of the season (hopefully). I am really just starting climbing / preparing for it. I hope to do Mt. Rainier next season as well as shasta. Any advice / opinions are welcome! http://www.sunnysports.com/Prod/MHWPDSN.html http://www.rei.com/product/811212/mountain-hardwear-south-col-70-pack