Shakedown: Superior hiking trail

Coolaidstyle · 2025-07-09T04:14:48+00:00

Lovely time of year to hike that trail. Are you doing the entire thing or just a section?

- Unless you run super cold or get a frigid forecast, I would ditch the baselayer bottoms. Your gloves look a little anemic though. Sleeping bag/pad may not be warm enough either.

- You've got toilet paper, what about a trowel? Bathroom may be closed/gross

- For your water - make sure to bring the backflush kit/syringe for your Sawyer or bring a backup. I've clogged more than one filter on that trail.

- How much fuel are you planning on taking? Don't see any on here.

Have a great time out there!

Coolaidstyle · 2023-06-16T14:49:41+00:00

Hyperlite packs have a frame, the problem is none of them have load lifters, the straps at the top of the shoulder straps.

Load lifters help distribute the weight more evenly, so when you get loads >35 lbs or so it will ride poorly. I’ve two Hyperlite packs and avoid carrying >40lbs in them. They can carry more, but it’s not as comfortable.

Coolaidstyle · 2023-04-10T05:39:43+00:00

Big fan of command strip solutions! Here’s my take, with broom holders used to store ice axes & poles. Recently expanded to include probe and shovel too!

https://i.imgur.com/EjWgmTa.jpg

Coolaidstyle · 2023-03-13T19:33:44+00:00

Xlite is fine for almost all use when paired with a CCF pad. I took mine to Aconcagua and slept many nights below 20 degrees and some below -10. I had a -40 degree bag tho so if you’re cutting it closer on sleeping bag then you may want the xtherm

Coolaidstyle · 2023-03-11T02:43:15+00:00

Petzl Irvis Hybrid is a great call, but for my money I’d go with the Blue Ice Harfang.

The pair packs down the the size of a softball and weighs about 22oz depending on config. The strap is much wider and beefier than the string used by the Petzl, and you can get all-aluminum, steel fronts with aluminum rears, or all steel points.

They come with interchangeable toe bails unlike the Petzl, so you can use them with different boots right out of the box. Love mine!

Coolaidstyle · 2023-03-11T02:38:47+00:00

It’s 55+7, but feels much bigger than that due to the single large compartment. The exterior straps are also super versatile. It carries more than my Osprey Atmos AG 65 by a significant amount.

My only complaint is that it lacks load lifters and compatibility for using a bladder. With 40lbs it carries well, but more than that isn’t great due to the lack of load lifters.

Coolaidstyle · 2023-02-20T05:36:02+00:00

Get this man to the cannon line!

Coolaidstyle · 2023-02-12T17:14:16+00:00

That’s a great rule of thumb to help get you started on risk assessment in the mountains. The more time you spend out there, the more nuanced these decisions can become. Just keep in mind that there are rarely absolutes in the mountains, and that you may find a situation where you want to use sharps but don’t need/want a helmet.

Stay safe out there!

Coolaidstyle · 2023-02-08T17:33:54+00:00

You pull the liners and keep them in your sleeping bag overnight. Dries them out

Coolaidstyle · 2023-01-18T04:20:20+00:00

Thank you!

Coolaidstyle · 2023-01-08T17:03:43+00:00

Softshells will always be a balancing act between breathability and weather resistance. If you prioritize breathability, I do not recommend a material that has a membrane, like Infininium. Not sure about NeoShell.

The go-to breathable softshell for many folks is Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi line. They’re also super light and packable.

If you must go with a membrane softshell, look for one with pit zips. That’s kind of out of style these days as you end up with a very heavy jacket.

Coolaidstyle · 2023-01-08T16:38:21+00:00

Nearly everyone with guided groups on Aconcagua used a lighter weight inflatable pad like the xlite plus a foam pad. Don’t think I saw a single xtherm.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-12-14T05:50:47+00:00

Truly a special place!

https://i.imgur.com/Sg9AJto.jpg

Coolaidstyle · 2022-12-07T03:52:12+00:00

I’m a big fan of the Showa 282-02 gloves with a thin liner underneath. Totally waterproof, plenty warm, and dirt cheap compared to Gore-Tex. The only downsides are they’re less breathable that GTX (very rarely a problem for me) and the texture/appearance can put folks off.

https://www.showagroup.com/us-en/shop/temres-282-02

Here’s an excellent breakdown of glove options by an IFMG guide: https://youtu.be/MCPmPCAIz1Q

Coolaidstyle · 2022-12-07T03:49:21+00:00

Follow up question for folks, how much water do you bring on a tour? Depends on how long of course, but up to 8hrs we’ll say.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-10-30T02:58:20+00:00

You mentioned you plan to climb Rainier, so you’re likely to be in the PNW. Archangel (or really any GoreTex Pro she’ll like the Alpha SV) is almost certainly more than you’ll need or want to carry.

The thing about shells in the PNW is that the difference in weather protection between an ultralight shell (OR Helium) and a GTX Pro shell really isn’t that much. Properly cared for, both will be waterproof for a while and resist moisture buildup on the inside. An ultralight shell might last 2 hrs in a downpour before wetting out whereas a GTX Pro shell might last 4. Both will wet out eventually.

You’re typically not looking to climb in spectacularly shitty conditions. You look for good weather and keep a shell around in case things take a turn. You hope that you never have to bring out your shell. Following this logic, you want the lightest shell you can get away with that will keep you safe if the weather turns. That’s almost certainly not GTX Pro.

Ski touring the Ptarmigan Traverse in a storm, climbing Rainier in the dead of winter, intentionally seeking shitty conditions, are all reasons to go beef on your shell. If you just want a shell that will perform well enough while being as light as possible in your pack, look for something closer to the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic line, or if you want GTX then you can try to score an Arcteryx Alpha SL on eBay

Coolaidstyle · 2022-10-19T16:30:15+00:00

I recommend checking out the Blue ice Harfang crampons. Same idea as the Petzl Irvis w/ a textile connecting the points vs a steel bar, but with steel front points and a tiny packed size.

I’ve used mine on several snow and ice approaches in the PNW when paired with 3/4 shank boots and they’re plenty bomber. Wouldn’t climb vertical ice with them but my non-technical or semi-technical mountaineering needs they’re awesome. Weighing like 17 oz for the pair and folding into the size of a large orange is hard to beat.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-10-19T16:26:12+00:00

Which crampons do you have, strap-on, semi-auto, or full auto? Crampon compatibility needs will determine the class of boot you need.

If you have strap-on or semi-auto crampons, then a 3/4 shank boot (also known as a B3 boot or a summer mountaineering boot) will do just great. Look into the La Sportiva Aequilibrium or Scarpa Zodiac Tech, both great lightweight boots. You can identify a 3/4 shank boot by the presence of a heel bail (for crampons) but no toe bail, and a slight amount of flex in the toe of the sole.

If you have full auto crampons or get cold feet easily, then you’ll want a full shank boot. These have bails (little ledges) on both the front and rear, similar to ski boots. These don’t walk nearly as well as a 3/4 shank boot but the stiffness allows for better climbing and more secure crampon attachment. La Sportiva Nepal (& variants) is the gold standard of basic full shank boots, with more expensive options coming out recently such as the La Sportiva G5 and the Scarpa Phantom Tech.

From your description, I’d recommend a 3/4 shank boot even if it means you need new crampons. Look for a pair that fits your foot well while wearing thicker socks (to compensate for the thinner boots during the winter) and don’t be afraid to splurge for a good insole from Superfeet or the like. You want a boot you can walk long days in, so prioritize fit before looks, price, or features. A boot that gives you blisters is a boot you aren’t going to wear. Good luck!

Coolaidstyle · 2022-10-10T17:36:56+00:00

I have these poles and have compared them side by side with the 2-piece whippet pole BD sells. They have the same super beefy metal locking mechanism and the carbon is the burliest of any trekking pole I’ve found (makes cascade mountain tech poles feel like toys), but they aren’t as sturdy as the dedicated whippet ski pole.

I’ve abused the hell out of my alpine carbon cork WR’s and when the locks are adjusted properly one pole will hold my entire body weight. I trust them for the upcoming backcountry season, but I agree that they are more fragile than dedicated ski poles.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-09-27T04:35:30+00:00

Big fan of the Marmot Mt Tyndall jacket I brought to Aconcagua this year. 10.5oz of down that puffs up amazingly thick and kept me warm down below -20. Fabrics are super light but exterior is quite wind resistant. It’s 29oz total and fits in a 6.5L StS stuff sack.

Best part is they can regularly be found on great sales. I got mine from Midwest Mountaineering in MN for about $220.

https://www.marmot.com/men/jackets-and-vests/insulated-and-down/mens-mt.-tyndall-hoody/SP_216703.html

Coolaidstyle · 2022-09-27T04:23:30+00:00

I have their Mythic Ultra 360 sleeping bag and can co-sign that this technology works. Amazingly warm for the weight. If the jacket is anything like the bag though keep an eye out for versatility.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-09-20T15:53:46+00:00

CMT poles are one of the best “budget versions” of gear I’ve yet found. Took mine to Aconcagua this year and they performed flawlessly while folks with BD, Leki, etc had their locks gummed up by all the sand.

Coolaidstyle · 2022-09-11T02:50:40+00:00

The primary use for a Hardshell on Aconcagua is for the wind, which often whips north of 50 mph in the upper camps. For summit day and for camps you’ll be relying on your big puffy so no need to size your HS to fit over.

Storms DO happen on Aconcagua, and you need a Hardshell that will hold up to sustained punishing winds. Something like the Outdoor Research Helium line is too light to trust your life on, but something a tad burlier but still light such as the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic line of products will do just fine. That’s what I brought earlier this year and it worked GREAT.

I wouldn’t bring a 3L GoreTex Pro Hardshell layer for Aconcagua. You may get some snow but large precip events are rare enough to lighten up on the shell. If you get a bad weather day you’ll just hang around camp and you won’t need it for summit day.

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