Sig Olsen

No solid or liquid partner. I will be going solo it looks like. What is MP?

Going to Mt. Shasta in 2 weeks and would like to get a pair before I head out. Cheaper the better right now. But also what you think is the best. How dark do I need them? I usually wear Oakley polarized darkest sunglasses here in Florida. Any pointers are greatly appreciated. I searched "goggles" subject for past year and came up with nothing btw.

Hopefully it will be soon for both things Khartoum.

I am the only person going there that week? Bummer. I really wanted to get some tips and pointers to move on to more challenging mountains ...

Probably doing Avalance Gulch, unless someone wants to take another route in that area. First time climbing in snow. Bought my airfare to sacramento. Land on the 26th afternoon. Driving up to Shasta and camping at trailhead. hike to helen lake on the 27th. Summit and back to helen lake on the 28th back down on the 29th. 1 extra day for bad weather/acclimation. I am from Florida so don't expect me to be blazing a trail since I wont be acclimated really. Email me here or at sigsterrr@gmail.com

ordered the camp 18 oz. shovel, 4 smc sno tent stakes, 4 msr blizzard stakes, and 4 rei snow and tent anchors(parachute style). Thanks again for the advice. Being there a few days I will then be able to tell which one I like the best. Ok now I think I have everything :-)

Ok so what shovel does everyone carry then?

seems the lightest so far 18 oz. http://www.prolitegear.com/site/camp-alu-fix-shovel.html

Test runs are impossible for me unless the earth's axis shifts :-) I live in central Florida. It was in the 90's here last week. I will pick up a shovel. Light weight of course. I see the use clearly. Recommend one? Does anyone use the snow claw? http://www.rei.com/product/650213/snow-claw-guide-snow-shovel?compare=reviews

everyone said dont bother with snow shoes so I wont have them to use as stakes. I wont be skiing so I cant use ski poles. I never use hiking poles unless everyone thinks they will help in snow. I find they just wear me out more. Didnt plan to bring a snow shovel. Do I really need one?

Ok Ok. I will bring 8 of the snow stakes and no pickets. I thought it would bee good as a test. Does anyone have first hand experience with the smc sno stakes vs msr blizzard stakes? The seem identical but the smc ones are half the price.

Thanks alot. The SMC stakes are the ones I posted a link to in the first post. I will order 8 of them and 4 pickets. I can leave the pickets in the rental car if I dont feel I need them. Thanks again everyone.

Since I have never camped in the snow, do I need snow stakes? I will be climbing Mt. Shasta end of next month. Using MH Direkt2. It has 6 tent body stake spots and 6 guyout spots to tie down. Do I use 12 stakes? If you were planning today to go to Shasta end of next month, what would you want to bring? This type of snow stake: http://www.rei.com/product/358111/smc-sno-tent-stake or this type: http://www.campmor.com/msr-2ft-snow-picket.shtml?source=CI&ci_sku=71488WC&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

Bronco I chose the ti version for a few reasons. I know the heat exchanger will burn off easily if there is not enough starter water in it. I try to not use anything with non stick coating. I know the newer version is suppose to be safe, but so was the original non stick until it wasn't :-) The cozy being thinner is really not that big of a deal. Yet anyways. Weight/Size ease of use are the primary reasons. I will try it a few times before I go to Mt. Shasta next month hopefully. I have read on other forums/posts that the earlier versions of this had a problem but it was suppose to be better. I was really more interested in finding if the SOL or Sumo cup would be better. I appreciate all the input.

Bought the Jetboil SOL ti today.

I have never been camping in the snow so my review of condensation will not be very reliable. If I say it was the least condensation or most I have ever seen, I will be telling the truth :-) It does feel like a bomb shelter though and rather large for the weight. I knew others were interested in it too. I got the first shipment from REI.

The reactor is nice but its so much heavier. Thanks for the advice guys.

I have an msr dragonfly international. I am thinking of picking up a jetboil. Primarily for short snow climbs (2-5 days) (US cascades). It will probably be just for me. I have never melted snow but I believe I read the larger one is easier so you can keep more melted snow/water in as you add snow. Will get the Titanium versions unless people dont think they worse than the other one. I will be using 4 season gas of course.

I plan to use it solo. I think 2 people my size could sleep in it, but it would be cramped with no room then for gear. I would buy the uv2 I think if I planned to share it. That split in weight is still only about 2.7 lbs per person if I remember right.

The pants arrived yesterday. I wore them last night for a few hours. They really do fit and feel amazing. Thanks for the recommendation!

Big sky, it does feel like there is some coating. The tent packs extremely small and the poles have many sections making them very short length. I was skeptical about the front door and not side door since I am a big guy. The door is huge and very easy to get in and out of. This is much higher, via printed info than the firstlight. After reading the brochure, It does have tie outs on the corners about mid way that look and feel very strong. Now I need to figure out if I need snow stakes...

I do not have 2 sleeping pads. I have not felt the BD Firstlight. It feels like it will breath. There is a vent up top with a zipper inside to control ventilation. It has a warning about suffication if not ventilated. :-)

About me: 6'2 - 195 lbs - not a little guy by mountaineering standards. Just got the tent today and set it up in my bedroom. To me - perfect size/weight. I inflated my neoair large/long mat and it has about 2 inches on both end. Plenty of room on the side. I usually underinflate the mat and fold the end for a pillow. Easier than carrying a pillow plus the large is wider I believe. I have the original version not the new one. With the pad fully inflated, I can sit up with about 6 inches clearance above my head. Solid design. 6 tent stake hook/loops. 1 tie out on each side and middle of each corner has extra webbing I assume can be used to tie down also. Small pouch that hangs center top which is removable. Front door double zips so you can vent up top through the door in addition to the vent in the upper back. Comes with a slide over tube I assume is incase you break one of the sturdy poles. Poles click in place inside. Note- do not try to slide through the velcro hold tabs before setting up. Easier to just stretch the tent with the poles and then sit inside to fasten velco straps to center the poles. Didn't weigh it, but I will tomorrow after I sleep in it tonight.

Ordered the nw fast/light pants. Thanks again for the advice.

I ordered mine (MH Direkt2) from REI and it should be here in a week hopefully. Only paid 350 with the annual discount and member dividend. I am 6'1-6'2" 195lbs so I hope I am not too cramped. :-) I may buy the EV2 also which is a little bigger but heavier. I believe the Direkt2 does not need to be seam sealed?