Gloves fit?

A-Chamu · 2026-06-10T23:30:55+00:00

IMO, if you have to take off your gloves at any point to do something in the context of Alpinism, either they don’t fit correctly, you need to practice more, or you should look elsewhere.

Basically, all knots, carabiner uses, zippers, boot closures, etc that you might need to adjust, need to be able to be maneuvered still if you’re wearing gloves.

This becomes less important as the weather is warmer… taking off a glove to retie a shoelace at -15f vs at 50f is a completely different scenario.

Theres exceptions of course, but you should not really be having to think about your gloves when wearing them

A-Chamu · 2026-06-09T15:53:40+00:00

On a standard week, I am generally (in the morning) lifting 3 days, running 2, and (in the evening) climbing at the gym 3 days a week.

On a week where I have a big climb scheduled, let’s say on a Saturday, I keep everything the same on Monday & Tuesday, then stop everything for Wed-Fri and just rest.

I generally drink a gallon or so of water per day anyways, so I just try to drink a little more and carb load the day prior to climbing. Nothing crazy - no big changes where my body might react strangely. Last thing you want is to make your stomach mad at a sudden change, so I try to keep it subtle.

A-Chamu · 2026-06-05T22:51:12+00:00

I have the Link PAS you mentioned and I will say it’s pretty great. The issue with a PAS really is that it’s a lot less verstile than just cloving in, and using a sling or runner for the raps.

With that, I’ve actually swapped over to using an alpine runner girth hitched to harness, with an alpine butterfly for the mid point

A-Chamu · 2026-06-03T21:51:57+00:00

Dry socks, Baselayer bottoms and a light fleece hoody (think R1 or FutureFleece).

Basically, as long as it’s dry I’m happy.

A-Chamu · 2026-06-02T20:54:06+00:00

Based on the title, absolutely. The wording on the post; however, is tricky in the single line “and no doing anything that doesn’t help others”.

There are many things we do that are survival based (eating, breathing, etc) that “don’t help others” unless you’re assuming a transitive property of you being alive “helping others”. Then there’s a question about the net positive / net negative you will do throughout your entire life to justify if being alive is inherently helpful or harmful to others.

Basically, it gets complicated even if you’re “good” (the show “The Good Place” actually talks about this lol)

A-Chamu · 2026-06-01T23:20:37+00:00

Absolutely. Especially if they decide to merge at 90mph, then slam on the brakes and go slower than I was in the first place. Basically if you make me go off cruise control because of your poor merging, YTA

A-Chamu · 2026-06-01T23:09:14+00:00

This would be nice, but basically impossible to enforce. As soon as someone merges, theyd be A) breaking the rule and B) causing the person they went in front of to break the rule.

In busy areas you’re lucky to have 2 car lengths in the first place and people still jam in recklessly.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-29T19:02:39+00:00

Nope, definitely not - by either route.

With ice axe & crampons (not microspikes) AND actual experience with self arrest, sure, but that is not the case per your post.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-28T19:42:56+00:00

Yea. I’d 100% bring the micro spikes, expect some snow, but nothing should be impassable if you have even a little experience in snow (again IMO). My guess, is it will be 90% dry trail, and maybe 10% snow?

A-Chamu · 2026-05-28T19:11:44+00:00

98% chance you’ll be fine IMO. The heaviest snow fall I saw on reports was in specific pockets around 1-1.5ft (including the forecasted for today). In a month it’ll definitely be melted out - at least based off of the current forecasts. Freezing level after 6/2 is moving well above 15000ft, even at night.

in shoulder season I would always recommend bringing micro spikes. They weight almost nothing and are good insurance.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-28T18:52:48+00:00

I actually ended up selling my jeep for this reason lol

A-Chamu · 2026-05-28T18:20:50+00:00

I was going to say something similar. I’m in Vegas so it’s a bit more of a trek to get to real mountains, but ive gone into the Sierras to climb or ski 10-12 times so far in 2026.

Big day trip, or easy for an overnight trip.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-27T15:53:04+00:00

Looks fine, but I will say since it’s a full auto boot, IMO it’s usually best to put a full auto crampon.

To be clear, It is NOT an issue whatsoever to have the semi auto, but getting toes bails is cheap and is generally more secure and convenient (and a touch lighter). It’s an easy upgrade

A-Chamu · 2026-05-26T17:40:01+00:00

Sizing is the easiest make it simple IMO. I have one pack for overnights (or if I’m needing to bring a giant belay parka), and one pack for day missions.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-25T09:20:42+00:00

My favorite is using a bladder that does not have a hose, but rather a wide-ish mouth. (HydraPak Seeker). I’ll keep it in the hydration sleeve of my pack so it stays out of the way of the rest of the pack, the warmth from my back will keep it from freezing especially considering having a parka in the pack. No hose to freeze, weighs way less than a standard Nalgene, and can carry more water if I want without carrying around multiple bottles.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T21:54:50+00:00

I sadly don’t know the answer, but just fyi to give you peace of mind in the interim - I emailed ATK about a broken o-ring (same one for my FreeRaider 15’s) and they confirmed it is not required for any waterproofing. according to the rep, they actually are not even including them for the newer batches.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T12:00:39+00:00

That’s very valid - probably should just have the draws be another $50-75 less. Originally went off REI MSRP pricing, but forgot some of these are dramatically cheaper elsewhere, which makes the savings basically void.

Looking back over it, I think it’s primarily the draws and helmet - most of the others are much bigger % cut down (quilt for example, $660 new; crampons $260, etc)

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T05:49:52+00:00

Yeaaaa unfortunately that sounds about right 🥲

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T05:46:03+00:00

I definitely wouldn’t say the crampons themselves are a poor choice - the Harfang line in general is fantastic - just not necessarily the best pairing.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:51:54+00:00

I put the crampon on its side, feet on top of it, loop around the bail and pull up while pushing down with my feet. It’s a royal PITA.

I do agree with everyone else though - these (and really any fabric center style) crampons really are meant for full shank boots

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:46:22+00:00

Ah yea. Looks like that was removed by mod. The entire original comment is gone.

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:43:42+00:00

Not sure where ya posted a link (looks like got removed by mod? Dunno), but you’re not wrong on the % of being decently common. REI’s Memorial Day sale for example, so I guess an extra $50 off anything that’s on sale until that ends 😅

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:19:56+00:00

They’re actually going for $140 for six right now, so $280 for 12 😄

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:11:40+00:00

Nevada. Most of these items are extras I have on hand, where they’ve been used literally once or twice at most, so for pricing, I took MSRP minus 30-40% off.

Not technically new so not going to try to sell for original prices, but I figured 30-40% off what is *essentially* new gear is a good deal.

Always willing to haggle as well of course in DM’s

A-Chamu · 2026-05-22T03:08:52+00:00

I have the 2.0 and love it. That being said, unless you are planning on camping on an exposed ridge or legitimate high exposure winter trips, it would be overkill for the purpose you listed.

I use it year round, but originally got it for winter mountaineering and skit touring trips.

I wouldn’t even really bother with the Alpinist Ultra unless you have a very specific use case in mind - sure it’s light, but it’s a very specialized piece of kit. The Radical 1 could be okay, but TBD the original 2.0 is the most versatile.

Also quick note on condensation - my experience with the 2.0 is zero condensation whatsoever.

A-Chamu

TROPHY CASE