dbconlin

I have old BD Black Prophets that I use as the handle to my shovel blade on multi-day trips. This works really well, an idea I originally got from Twight's book. The handle design on the BD tools, including the cobras fit perfectly into the blade of a Backcountry Access shovel (with the oval shaft). Question: has anyone come up with other tool/blade combos that work, or ways of jerry-rigging them to work? The reason I ask is that I am considering purchase of new (i.e. modern) tools, but I do not want to lose that functionality. Thanks.

Add to that V-THREADS

Of all the advice on this post, follow this one.

Actually, I was just there (schoeller website) and it is NO HELP, for me anyway. It is just what you say, "marketing".

Does anyone know and care to explain the difference between different Schoeller fabrics, especially with regards to their respective warmths, weather resistance, and weight? Particullaryly Dynamic VS Dryskin VS Dryskin Extreme VS 3XDry VS WB-400 VS WB-formula. Thanks.

I bought 50s and wish I had gone 60...

I would go down, with a epic, event, or similar water-resistant, highly breathable shell. Feathered Friends makes great ones. If it is likely to rain on your trip, bring a tent and, possibly, use a water-proof stuff sack such as those made by OR. It it won't rain AND you don't want to bring a tent, I think an eVent or GoreTex bivy would be best, although not the lightest, and an Epic (such as the BD/Bibler winter bivy) would be lightest and adequate as far as weather protection goes.

I agree, soap and warm water, let dry, then lube. Lube: I asked at a reputable shop, they recommended graphite lube (for locks, etc.) I have been using this and am pleased. White Lightning sounds like a good choice, too. You basically want something that will be a "dry" lube, so it won't attract grit and grime.

WE needed a handful of ice screws this past weekend and a v-thread tool would be a great idea (we did not have one - duh!). No need to rope up below hazard--the route crosses the Nisqually glacier in a very safe spot if you head to the fan and then follows the edge of the Wilson Glacier on snow fields and rock ridges. Routefinding is straightforward (with good visibility!). A second tool is a good idea.

StevesDigiCams.com has reviews and a comparison shopping feature. I am sure Amazon would comparison shop for you too.

That is interesting. I hadn't heard about it. I found it particularly interesting that Scarpa was looking to go into "mountain fashion footwear" market and BD was not interested in that direction. Go BD! They are a great company and I'm glad they won't be watered down as TNF was and I feel Marmot is becoming. I hope Scarpa continues to offer its excellent plastic boots as well as thier fashionable tennies.

Yeah, but they last for years... I have superfeet that have outlasted some boots, at which time i swap them into a new/different pair. I think I have about 3 pairs of superfeet that I switch in and out of about 6 pairs of shoes/boots. ...oh, and I have retired one pair of superfeet

I have androids, had them self-release only once (but didn't drop the tool). Now I kind of double check the action every time I reclip it. It seems you can kind of clip it without it latching all the way and if you give it a little jiggle, it clicks the rest of the way. That said, I love these leashes!

I saw the topic of superfeet in another thread, but decided to start a new one specifically regarding superfeet. Anyway, "experts" in the field have told me that even if you do not have foot problems/pain, it may be wise to use superfeet for activities that involve carrying heavy loads because the extra support can help prevent your arches from collapsing over the years leading to feet problems later in life. An ounce of prevention...

Beal Joker (9.1) = 53 g/m Mammut Infinity (9.2) = 55 g/m I really like Mammut ropes and would get theirs, but both of these would be great ropes and are light.

How 'bout those DMM Revolver biners with the built in wheel...?

Cool, thanks. That definitly clears things up.

I have a bunch of neutrinos which I use to rack cams. I like them for this application but do not feel they are a good all around biner. I have a handful of Trango SuperFly biners. They are awesome all around biners and will be my biner of choice in the future.

use a hotknife!

Alpine climbing tools that dabble in waterfall ice: BD Cobra Grivel Alp Wing

Lowa Civetta Extreme is reportedly an excellent climbing boot. Probably what I would choose. Forget the looks.

I have the Pentax Optio WP: waterproof very compact and 5 mPs. I am very pleased with it so far. ONly drawbacks: no optical viewfinder, so you can't turn of the LCD to save batteries; non-standard batt size (too compact) so you can't throw in AAs in a pinch. An extra battery costs $50. That said, I do not regret buying this camera.

I would say either a 9.2-9.4 mm single rope or 8 mm double ropes would both be good choices. You might pair the single rope with a thin tag line for alpine rock. YOu can use the double ropes singly (i.e. a half-rope) for glacier travel.

a photo would be great...and thanks for the info!

Any suggestions as to what the "small stove board" is/how I can buy/make one, etc.?