North Face Nuptse Jacket...?

[adam]

I'm new(given), would you trust this jacket for a summit of oh' say 12,000 up Mt. Adams, WA? What is the best, affordable Down jacket?

[mattp]

Adam -

I'm not familiar with that particular jacket but the truth is, it doesn't matter WHAT jacket you take up Mt. Adams. On a sunny day in the middle of a high pressure period in the summer, a sweater and windbreaker would do and you will be way ahead of half the people there if you take ANY jacket.

In general, when you are on a mountain where you can't quickly run back to your car or tent you should take down, synthetic, wool or whatever ... with a second jacket of some kind of shell gear that should be waterproof or "waterproof breathable" (e.g. gortex).

If you want to save money, you can get this stuff at the Salvation Army or Army Surplus shop, or buy used equipment. I often carry a simple wool sweater and a cheap raincoat, with the combination being damn near as warm and light and compact as cloting that would cost several hundred dollars if I bought it brand new at Marmot.

The modern (expensive) materials have their place, however, and they do perform very well. Check out www.promountainsports.com

Mattp

[This message has been edited by mattp (edited 09-01-2001).]

[Rodchester]

Adam,

The wife and I each have the TNF Nuptse Jacket and love it. It is lightweight and very compressible. It is also priced fairly....you can usually find it on sale.

The best lightweight down coat is by feathered friends....expensive.

Marmot also makes a good down sweater that is 700 fill.

good luck....

[This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 09-04-2001).]

[Backcountry]

Watch sierratradingpost.com or campmor.com to name a couple.

I purchased two TNF Baltoro 700 fill Dry Loft parkas for $580(normal retail is about that price) from STP.

I have changed somewhat how I pack. I pack to one extreme or the other, it's either moving and staying warm or sitting and staying warm. All I bring lately is the Baltoro for sitting and staying warm.

My thinking is pay a little extra for a Dry Loft shelled parka and then you dont have to worry as much about it getting damp from snow or misty/cloudy conditions, or pack something to put over your parka if it does turn to wetter or windier conditions. The Dry Loft parkas seem a tad warmer too.

The North Face Dry Loft jacket is the Summit and the TNF Dry Loft Parka is the Baltoro.

[hikerwa]

I have a marmot down jacket and it is as if I have comfy, fuzzy bunny slippers for my whole torso. I use this thing everywhere. Usually I climb in a windblock fleece, and sit in my down jacket. Nothing can beat down for compressability and warmth.

sean

[Dennis_the_Menace]

I like the Mountain Hardwear Chugach Jacket. Synthetic, warm and light. Stuff to softball size.

[Dru]

I like to slit open my snow-bounder's guts and crawl inside to stay warm, just like Luke Skywalker in Empuire Strikes Back. Also no ducks are hurt that way