Gear advice
This is my stab at a decent set of gear for our forthcoming mountaineering adventures (likely to include Mt. Washington). I've spent 7 winters in NYC using the patented hoodie+jeans+circa 1987 JC Penney's Boy's Large Parka+Converse, so the choices reflect recommendations and advice from people who have actually mountaineered.
Any advice or comments you guys have to offer would be appreciated. Note that my main constraint is cost, which explains many of the specific selections (I will certainly not be matching colors on the mountain).
White I already own, purple I haven't purchased yet and red I should decide quickly about due to impending price changes.
12 comments:
I'm not sure if cost should be such a constraint for you as you've pretty much got everything bought already :)
Seriously though, price is definitely an issue for me as well. I take it you're planning on doing some winter climbing then?
I've been meaning to get some adventure race packages up as well. I think the most expensive thing there is a good mountain bike (and some racks to go on the car so I can transport bikes)
List looks good, just a coupla points:
- definitely light pair of hardshell pants, little weight gives you a lot of protection if it pours
- balaclava?
- gaiters?
- how heavy is the micropuff? i'm guessing this will be your insulation layer
- don't know that pack, but can't beat the price
also may want to check for:
- sunglasses
- goggles
Damn, thought I could get away without some hardshell pants...
The Micropuff is about 12oz, pretty light, and apparently very warm. I'm hoping it will be enough for insulation. I will pair it with a Patagonia R1 Hoody if not.
Good call on the goggles. How are your contacts in the extreme cold? I don't want to be that dude with the clip on sunglasses.
I was thinking of renting the gaiters so they fit over the boots I rent.
I was hoping for a Cilogear bag, but I'm already spending enough cash, so I can't justify it. The BCA bag has been well-reviewed; my only worry is that it may be too small.
One caveat about the hardshell pants - if it's not going to be wet (raining), you can get by with softshell and insulation likely for the pants. Snow itself is relatively dry if it's cold. A hardshell would help cut wind if it's blowing out, but your legs aren't a concern like your core is.
I think you could do without if you want. I have a beatup pair of old paclite goretex that gets me by...
Contacts are ok in the cold (don't know about the super cold), I tend to keep my eyes covered with at least sunglasses because the wind is a much bigger problem - dries em out, and they have a disconcerting habit of popping out (had one pop out on a trad lead once, after retrieving it from my eyelash I realized I couldn't stick it back in with one hand and couldn't let go with the other - stuck it in my mouth for the rest of the pitch).
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/380,14747_Lowe-Alpine-Storm-Gaiter-Pants-Waterproof-For-Men.html
damn cut me off, try this:
http://tinyurl.com/23cwec
clickable Lowe Alpine pants
Those are nice, although I am a bit leery of the fabric. But honestly, given the likelihood of having to actually wear them, and the fact that bumping up to a better fabric doubles or triples the cost, I think you found a good balance.
How are those elbows? want to try for a climb this weekend?
What day are you thinking? I might be game for a morning session (would like to get back by 1pm?).
Perfect, back by 1 is good by me, Eric is in too. Do you have a preference for Sat or Sun?
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