dbconlin

Get Intuition Liners. Your feet will thank you.

Because... conservatives who feel strongly about American cars are violent? Excellent. ...and are card-carrying members of the NRA.

I have a North Face Tadpole I use for backpacking. Very sturdy, has been good in rain and snow storms, and fairly light. It is a small tent, suitable for two people in slightly cramped quarters. Weighs 4+ lbs. They (TNF) also make similar models slightly larger and heavier. You can also pitch the 'footprint' ground tarp with the poles and fly (leaving home the tent body) for a lighter, more tarp-like option. I find the above tent to be good, but of course you can go much lighter, by foregoing features like double-wall and free-standing. I have heard good things about the MSR Missing Link. The tents at Light Is Right look like good options. YOu can get a 2 person loop tent in their 'EXpedition' series that weighs 2.5 lbs. They don't look freestanding and they seem pricey. The design doesn't look revolutionary in any way.

i have slept in brian's mk 1 xl in blizzard conditions and it worked excellent. we cooked in the tent too. it is a good size for two people and the second door is convenient so you don't have to crawl across the other person when 'living' in the tent. i too like the design of the ID vents much better than the Bibler design. The reason Bibler 'treats' their tents (what Brian described as 'baking' them) is for non-flammability. I have heard that this process 1. decreases breathability and 2. increases weight. My understanding was that it was a chemical treatment, but I don't really know. the mk1 lite (which I have) would be adequate in size for 2 short-medium people (the info says up to 5'10"), where weight is paramount. The main disadvantage is roominess and therefore may not be the best for larger people. Having only a single door is a minor inconvenience.

Well, here is the update on my digits: feeling has mostly returned, but I have noticed some sensitivity to cold. No peeling or discoloration at all. Andrew- I noticed my numbness right away, i.e. the same day and next day. Was there a delay before you noticed anything?

Nice work guys. I was wondering how all the recent snow would affect your plans! Sounds like you made a good go of it anyway. Right on!

Oh, and the approach was heinous. Every time I've gone there, the depth of snowpack has slowed progress even with snowshoes, but this time seemed especially bad. Felt like it took foreeeeeeeeeevveeerrrr to get to the mountain. Freefall/Andrew thanks for a great day out! And for taking the photos/video!

In my opinion, there is no reason to get strap-on crampons with a mountaineering boot. Hybrids/newmatic are the most versatile.

I have always understood 'winter' to be Dec. 21 - March 20. However, this definition lacks appeal for obvious reasons. I am not one to get too hung up on this sort of thing, but the Meteorological definition seems to be a good compromise between the somewhat arbitrary Astronomical winter and the impractical Climatological definition. Let the revolution begin...

In accordance with much advice above, I would suggest: 1. general fitness activities, biking, hiking, etc. 2. indoor rock climbing, learn the skills, get some technique. 3. go summit some easy 'mountains' just walk-ups are fine. 4. start cragging outdoors, top-rope, bouldering, maybe lead some day.

That is interesting what you said about the arms. My Figure 4 (hoodless Ready Mix) seems to have about the same length arms as the Alpha Comp. The Alpha Comp has baggier arms though. Other than that, I find they fit about the same. The Patagonia might be a tad snugger in the chest/torso. I wonder if the Figure 4 and Ready Mix are cut slightly differently..?

Also consider: Rigid midsole/shank Heel bail at minimum, toe bail nice Vibram sole/good rubber sticky rubber rand ankle flexibility While brand name isn't everything, there is a reason certain brands are commonly chosen and others aren't. In my opinion, that Columbia boot would be totally inappropriate for climbing/mountaineering.

Post deleted by dbconlin

I am so glad we went to war and now Saddam is hanged. Bush is so great.

I have the hoodless version. It is excellent. I really debated between the Ready Mix and the Alpha Comp Hoody. It is kind of a tossup, but I went with the hybrid. The material Patagonia uses sheds weather really well, is very wind-proof, very breathable, and dries fast (and light, as you mentioned). If you want to go full softshell, this would be my top choice. It is not hybrid though. My only quibbles are with the cuff tabs. Also, it is not very stretchy, but do you really need it to be? It fits close.

Something to look forward too...next year...

works for me. thanks guys.

They don't:

CCKMP.

yeah, good all-round mountaineering boot. not so good for steep ice. La Sportiva makes some higher, stiffer leather boots that would also be good for what you suggest, but may be able to take on a little more technical terrain when needed.

Baltoro's post reminded me of the REI Taku jacket. Hybrid jacket that weighs same as Arteryx Alpha Comp (18 oz). $199. Outside magazine Gear of the Year Award Winner!!!! for what that is worth. Ugly though. I tried one on once and the fit wasn't for me, but maybe for you.

I agree you should probably start off with at least a couple of days at a resort before heading into the backcountry. You should also invest in some avalanche awareness training and you will need to buy a shovel/beacon/probe at the minimum, in addition to ski equipment. If you are relatively fit and agile, though, I don't see why you couldn't be in the backcountry very quickly, especially on AT gear (easier than tele). Ideally, you will want: 1. good boots; I don't think this is the place to skimp. Get thermoformable liners and have them custom fit. 2. bindings; I don't know much about 'em since I am a tele skier, but I would look for some used ones per the suggestions above unless you have a lot of money to spend, in which case just buy the best (whatever that may be). 3. skis; For your size and considering your desire to do mostly backcountry, I would look for a ski in the upper 170s cm length and with a waist of 86-92 mm. However, for a beginner, I think the skis are a good place to save a bunch of money by buying something used and/or cheap. Sometimes stores like Gart Sports have some really cheap downhill skis brand new; just make sure they don't have integrated bindings or whatever. 4. poles; ideally you will want adjustable poles, but you could start off with regular cheap ski poles, maybe in the 120 cm size range; I guess the way to size them is to hold them while standing and your elbow should make about a 90 degree bend. 5. skins; good luck finding used ones in good shape. Otherwise you are looking to pay at least $100. BD/Ascension, Backcountry Access, and G3 all make good skins. You will need to size them to your skis, which is a whole other controversy. The easiest (although arguably not the best) way to do this is to buy skins that are the largest size narrower than the waist of your ski. Otherwise, you can go larger and trim them to fit.

I don't think Beyond Fleece is offering a hybrid jacket, unless you consider the WB stuff to be the 'hardshell' part and I think that stuff is heavy. I have had my Alpha Comp out on a few trips now, and I like it a lot. I think Mammut is making a hybrid jacket, but it is relatively heavy.