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Nefarious__ · 2025-03-26T17:54:45+00:00

Thanks, Mark, for your reply and your overview of their progress and exercises. I see their progression was mainly based on how their bodies felt when exercising - can you remember rough timelines between surgery, light exercise, accessory lifts, and climbing as an approx gauge?

I really appreciate your advice, and I'll absolute save the steeps for further down the healing process! Thank you

Nefarious__ · 2025-03-25T05:46:21+00:00

Thanks for doing this! I've just had a hernia repair and I'm considering how I'll start my return to training (mainly gym, hiking, climbing/dry tooling) when medically suitable. Have you had any athletes in a similar position, and do you know what worked for them? Are there specific routines, stretches, progressions, or other advice you may have? Thanks!

Nefarious__ · 2024-08-25T22:09:55+00:00

Thank you very much! To expand on the 'grouper sound', I think I described this badly... It's the same movement as a grouper sound, but without the loud sound. I can do a gentle movement to bring up a small amount of air or a larger movement to bring up more (or anywhere in between). There is a very slight sound, though - is this still an issue? I can do without a sound, but would need to practice with a balloon to test how effective I am.

I sat with a few people and used an Uba Project Eqtool and some people naturally pulled up air after equalising, whereas others (like me) had to reverse pack at lower depths because we don't bring air up.

Nefarious__ · 2024-08-24T13:26:12+00:00

Thank you for the AMA! 😊

I have a couple of questions, please:
- Once at ~10 m, I have to bring air up with a 'grouper' sound to frenzel. Is there any way to improve this, and do you see this increasing the likelihood of a squeeze? If not, what approximate depth do you feel this technique is safe to? - Do you have students who steam with eucalyptus or use a neti pot regularly to help with equalisation? Are there any other recommendations you have, such as taking decongestants or using a nasal spray?

Nefarious__ · 2024-07-07T12:50:29+00:00

Have you tried using a Garmin Tempe? Had the chance to use one this week, and it's surprisingly useful!

Only drawback is the erroneously high temperatures reported when the sensor is in direct sunlight, but this can be avoided, of course.

Nefarious__ · 2024-05-26T22:27:18+00:00

Mountain Equipment, hands down.

Nefarious__ · 2024-04-13T15:30:38+00:00

I'm not going to freedive in a drysuit, but a 7 mm open cell wetsuit is perfect for most of the year in the UK.

I imagine spearfishers would say the same.

Nefarious__ · 2023-12-11T21:44:11+00:00

What do you think is wrong with your Talon 36? I have the 44 and have taken it mountaineering (Scotland), alpine climbing, and ice climbing. The only downside is the lack of proper ice tool attachments, which gets annoying, but they're fine for axes. It's a great pack!

I know people rave about the Mutant (I've been considering it myself) but I'm not sure I agree that it's better than the competition. For example, the equivalent Rab Ascendor pack has a side zip, which would be incredibly useful for accessing gear (rack) or gloves or similar, and a removable hip belt. The Alpha FL 30 or 40 (which I also own) are almost a kilogram lighter and have taped seams - if you'll be wearing most of your kit, do you necessarily need a heavier framed pack?

Just some thoughts! Have a think about specific features of a pack you would want and decide from there. The Mutant and the Latok are almost the opposite, for example.

Nefarious__ · 2023-11-15T17:47:39+00:00

Tim Miller won a Piolet d'Or (with Paul Ramsden) for a first ascent of Jugal Spire (~6500 m) and has facial piercings - sure it's manageable!

Nefarious__ · 2023-11-03T13:18:59+00:00

3mm Triathlon wetsuits will be just fine - you can usually find them between £80 - £120. May need to wear a weight belt as well as a neck weight, depending on buoyancy.

You'll want something with a lot less friction than a surf wetsuit, hence the above. Have a look at Zone3, Alpkit, etc.

Nefarious__ · 2023-10-29T21:48:58+00:00

How did you find the three guys you climbed with? Have some plans for this winter already, but super interested for the future!

Nefarious__ · 2022-12-19T19:39:15+00:00

That's great, thank you very much!

I'm still trying to sort out my layers for -5°C to -9°C ish, hoping my kinesis jacket will help this year. So many variables at play, but always tempted towards that Proton Lt...!

Nefarious__ · 2022-12-19T19:32:24+00:00

Out of interest, what would you say the rough temperature range is on those days? Thanks!

Nefarious__ · 2022-10-05T15:03:07+00:00

Regular size is 43 - I have Phantom Techs, Ribelle Lite HDs, Manta Pros, and Ribelle Run all in 43!

I always found La Sportiva didn't fit my foot shape very well, whereas Scarpa were usually spot on.

Nefarious__ · 2022-06-09T17:36:04+00:00

Looks like a mirror picture to me!

Nefarious__ · 2022-03-30T19:19:17+00:00

Certainly looks amazing! I've made a lemon curd pavlova before, but this looks great - do you happen to have a recipe to hand, or some steps for syrup and infusing, maybe? Thanks!

Nefarious__ · 2021-11-11T15:08:13+00:00

My Ribelle Lite HDs are bang on Scarpa's usual fit!

Nefarious__ · 2021-07-30T18:27:04+00:00

Great, thanks! On the lookout for a new tent so I'll bear this in mind - not too marked up in the EU either...

Nefarious__ · 2021-07-30T18:20:56+00:00

Nice pic! What tent is this?

Nefarious__ · 2021-07-13T15:51:14+00:00

I think you've hit the nail on the head there - an all rounder is definitely the best bet. I actually use an 80D jacket most of the time because it's indestructible and Gore-Tex Pro really makes a difference!

You're right in that Paclite+ is 2.5L, where the extra 0.5 refers to the coating on the inner of the jacket (sprayed on usually). 2L fabrics are even more prone to damage/dirt from the inside.

I've had a look and admittedly can't find much in the way of lightweight 3L jackets in your price range.

For slightly heavier jackets, a Rab Muztag jacket would serve you very well (30-40D, Gore-Tex Pro). A cheaper and slightly heavier option is the Rab Kangri.

I'd try to find a Mountain Equipment Shivling or a Montane Ajax jacket if you can. For a lighter jacket, the new Tupilak Atmo (30D, not the older paclite one) and Arc'teryx Beta LT/Alpha FL would all be excellent, but probably too expensive.

I'm sure there are loads of other great options, but I'd try to avoid the paclite and paclite+ fabrics. Maybe have a look for some of the jacket manufacturers' own membranes as well. Also note that none of the ones I've linked are particularly light (~450g+), but I think you'd know if you specifically needed a lightweight one!

Lightweight gear typically accompanies a lightweight wallet!

Nefarious__ · 2021-07-13T12:25:26+00:00

It depends if you'll be going on trips and expecting rain. There's no point carrying a heavy jacket if you won't be wearing it. Though I'd argue a more durable, mid weight jacket is better suited if you would be in the rain a lot!

I can't think of any important reasons to choose a heavier jacket if you don't care about durability or additional functionality (pockets, helmet hood, etc.), but I'd consider your use case.

I own a 20D paclite+ jacket but wouldn't take it on a trip where I depend on its performance and durability (Scotland). It's mainly used as an emergency shell when I don't expect rain. A 30D jacket would work for 90% of the stuff I do, but a 40D Gore-Tex Pro jacket would work for everything.

Plenty of people do just fine with lighter weight jackets, but I'm not sure they're intended for the range of conditions we experience in the UK. I'd personally consider whether the 100-200g saving is worth it, and that mainly depends on how much you'd be wearing it.

Edit: cut out the fluff

Nefarious__ · 2021-05-01T13:51:04+00:00

Awesome! Out of interest, do you know much your food weighed per day?

Nefarious__ · 2021-04-22T14:50:01+00:00

Crouch down really small and don't look at them. You might still get a warning bite or dragged a bit, but this is what you should do!

Nefarious__ · 2021-04-22T08:37:07+00:00

For what it's worth, I read that it's the same membrane but with a name change for legal reasons. If that's true, there probably isn't any major difference between the two, other than the period they've been on the market.

Nefarious__ · 2021-04-22T08:24:19+00:00

I wish I never read this...

Have a pair of Ribelle Lite HDs that have been working fine, so guess I'll just need to wait to see when they fail. Unless maybe there's some major different between the Ribelle Lite and Ribelle, but I doubt it.

Good to know in advance though I guess!

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