Sig Olsen

Thank you to all the great people of this site. Because of your input and links I have the gear and confidence to take my climbing to the next step. Thanks again everyone.

I like the 2"-3" higher also. It is shorter by 1" and narrower by 3 inches. Saying a tent breathes better when you haven't tested both is moot though. It does have a vent up top. The video of the Direkt 2 on top of a car driving down the road was cool to show how stable it was :-) I am curious about actual weights. Most brands underestimate the weight :-). I think they are both about the same except the weight. Plus I like that they (Mountain Hardwear) sponsored people like Ueli Steck or even Ed Viesturs before he was all that famous.

I am looking at the MH Direkt 2 right now for my shasta attempt end of may. I was looking at the EV2, but may now get the Direkt 2 instead. Uli bivies in snow caves in some of his videos so I doubt he even really uses this tent but I cannot find a lighter tent that is durable as MH has been for me. I just wish I could find anyone selling it at a discount. Even throw in the footprint and free shipping and I am in.

Thanks again. I will be ordering a pair then next week. I do try to get american made, but there is just so little out there of high quality it seems.

Recommend a pair of pants that fit this bill? Soft shell or hardshell? I dont have rain pants. For softshell I am guessing something like: http://www.rei.com/product/795028/mountain-hardwear-nima-pants-mens-regular or http://www.rei.com/product/818993/mountain-hardwear-returnia-shell-pants-mens these look sweet... http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%27s-Quasar%E2%84%A2-Pant/OM4499,default,pd.html Thanks in advance everyone...

Thanks Dane. I ordered the Phantom Guides. I have no reference to any other ones so I wont post anything about fit or quality or temp range... Thanks again everyone. Now one last thing... I will be asking in a couple weeks.

I do have OR expedition gaiters. :-)

Being new to alpine/snow/ice climbing I cannot imagine my skills are dialed in. :-) What basics for keeping them dry? What common mistakes will get them wet? I couldn't find anything relevent on a google search or reading of previous articles.

Thanks Dane. I have read your posts here and coldthistle countless times. My concern was mostly in walking comfort in all these boots then weight. So I think having a wide foot I will stick with the scarpa line. so I think the guide or ultras. I can get the ultras for 572 shipped. By the way, I live in florida so there is no place to actually try on any of these . I just dont want to risk getting to california and not finding my size then being stuck. If I can get a good price on the guides I will get them or just spend the 572 for the ultras. Thanks again everyone.

I recently switched to a wide boot and loved it. They were given to me and wondered why they fit so good and found they were wide versions of the boots. Not alpine boots. I appreciate all the comments by the way. Scarpa seems to be the boot company for me. The Ultras are 25% or more lighter than the nepal evo. So would you guys say the mont blanc gtx instead of the phantom ultra? Hopefully Shasta will be the warmest mountain for these boots :-)

Do you guys think the La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo GTX is more appropriate? What temp range would the normal person find comfortable with either and smartwool mid weight socks?

Getting ready to order my first pair of alpine style boots. Mt. Shasta will be my first snow mountain as a primer for rainier next year and etc... I dont want to buy boot after boot so I figured I would buy the Ultras first since I am sure I will need them on Rainier. Will they be too hot for Shasta in May (23rd - 28th) window probably 3 days on the mountain. I assume I will be wearing them from the parking lot to the summit. I don't mind spending the 575 I was quoted from overseas.

Thanks Alex. Yeah I know the mountain will be there next year. I will be there for a few days to allow for bad weather and bad acclimation probs. I know the top is only halfway.

Thanks Ben and DPS. I will be opting out of the snowshoes. Weight was a big factor plus it seems overkill now. Maybe thats why its never really mentioned anywhere.

So you brought and needed snowshoes DPS?

Thanks Mugsy. I didn't see it. Damn blinders. But I really posted just to see if I needed snowshoes for Mt. Shasta in may? I see though that snowshoes are not like tents, one for all times if I read it right and most like the msr lightning ascent.

Going through a few pictures and saw people carrying snowshoes. I didn't plan on getting any. Will I need them the end of May? I have crampons, ice axe and a helmet. If you would carry them, recommend a reasonable brand and the best brand? Business fluctuates so I like options.

Nice read. I am planning a May trip and this info is useful.

Yeah it has guy line points. So it should be fine. http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Skyledge%E2%84%A2-2.1/OU9479,default,pd.html

I have a Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 and love it but just not sure if it will be sufficient for Mt. Shasta in the end of May. It held up real well in the boulder field at Long's Peak Colorado, but wanted some opinions. I would rather not spend the money on another tent. Maybe just get some snow stakes? Any advice is appreciated.

One thing I want to point out, is that I am in Florida. So in may when I head to climb out there it will be around 80 here. I will not be acclimated to the cold as a native would. I read quite a few of your blogs Dane and found them to be amazing. Thanks for all the info and time it takes. Because of your blog I am looking to find a place to order the Scarpa ultra phantoms :-)

Thanks. I ended up ordering the MH Sub Zero SL Parka. I figure it may be overkill, but after watching a youtube of a guy last year same time I wanted to be safe. I also plan to do the rainier 8 day school next year and they recommend it. I couldn't find the temp range on the phantom when I was looking. I wanted something 800 or 850 fill, but wasnt sure. Thanks again though for the input.

Theodore, first thanks for pointing me to this post. Great thread. Answers a few questions I had. I wanted to find out more specifics on layering, but seems most info is old and outdated. I will buy a lighter down parka/jacket (with hood) now and bring all my other layers ( light base long sleeve, medium poly pro long sleeve, heavy fleece) and should be good to go. I like the idea too of adding a lighter sleeping bag to my mont bell ul super spiral #3 to make it suitable for 0 degrees. Another layering trick. Thanks again for this info and will be following this thread

Need to get a warm parka. I have been eyeballing the Mountain Hardwear Hunker Down ( its only $155 on e-omc). Is that overkill? I want to use this jacket next year for the 8 day course for rainier with alpine ascents. They say medium weight down parka but dont list one suggested.

I sent a friend request.