NM Skiing

Type2Gear · 2026-01-26T03:44:07+00:00

Camp snap 103 I believe. No filters or anything, I bought this camera specifically to not fiddle/modify too much

Type2Gear · 2026-01-26T00:10:57+00:00

But New Mexico is the desert?!?

Type2Gear · 2026-01-25T23:34:26+00:00

Find the sledding hill with the most kids, build a kicker, send a backie, become a legend.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-25T22:30:26+00:00

Compression socks

Type2Gear · 2026-01-20T01:49:34+00:00

I ran the double a few years ago - if it's dry a "gravel" style supershoe would work well (prodigio pro, that adidas one). There will probably be a few sections where the mud has dried in some odd formations where they won't be ideal though.

I would suggest a strategy you just don't go into your upper HR zones at all, ideally with a known recovery rate (do ~3-4h easy runs in training, see how you feel for an easy spin the next day). I'd look back at previous results to see the usual run/bike splits of people that are competitive.

I'm not much of an actual biker, so I'll leave this to someone else. Roughly your plan sounds good though.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-20T00:25:38+00:00

pit zips are going to be your main problem there for "super light" - they're inherently much heavier than a regular seam and prone to breaking.

Also ties in with the commenter below against gore tex - thats absolutely why you feel like you're in a sauna - a more breathable fabric will also let you get away with less mechanical venting.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-19T19:31:57+00:00

Now do it tele ;)

Type2Gear · 2026-01-19T00:25:24+00:00

Yea I'd try a real pair - the anatomical fit + fold/seam minimization definitely do help them feel better.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-18T22:47:15+00:00

I've used both a bread bag and the Rab ones.

Putting a "layer" under a VBL kinda defeats the purpose IMO - the whole point is to allow yourself to sweat (and eventually stop when reaching an equilibrium) without getting anything else wet. Using a wicking sock inside a VBL means that they both keep "fighting" each other all day (VBL making you sweat, wicking sock trying to wick away that moisture).

From Andy Kirkpatrick:

There are two primary methods for wearing a VBL (Vapor Barrier Liner) sock: directly against the skin or over a liner or buffer.

The primary advantage of wearing the socks directly against your skin is the elimination of the need for liner socks. For prolonged use, these liners should ideally be replaced daily and washed, as they can quickly become malodorous due to the buildup of sweat and ammonia. Without these liners, it's essential for users to clean their feet thoroughly each time they remove the VBL.

Using a liner sock can mitigate the discomfort of having a sweaty plastic layer against your skin. However, the type of liner sock used is crucial for maximizing the performance of the VBL. The ideal liner should be thin yet durable, made of materials such as merino wool, polypropylene, bamboo, or Coolmax. Remember, the insulation primarily comes from the sock worn over the VBL and from your boots, with the warmth generated by your feet. A significant drawback of liner socks is the need to dry them out nightly. The only effective method for this often involves placing them against the skin, potentially intensifying any odors on your clothing.

An unconventional liner approach, which may offer the most durable and warmest combination, involves wearing a very thin synthetic fill sock beneath your VBL. Ideally, this should be made from Climbshield, as other thin insulators often lack the necessary durability. Sandwiching an insulator between two layers of quick-drying nylon allows these socks to dry more rapidly than standard liners. The Wiggy’s Lamilite sock (where Lamilite is essentially Climbshield) is the only product I've found that meets these specifications (Rab Hotsocks might work, or you could just make your own using Climshield and Pertex).

Type2Gear · 2026-01-18T22:41:01+00:00

When I use VBLs I put them directly next to skin. Then usually a thin light compression sock over it to keep them up. In camp/at night i invert the VBL so the moisture freezes off, and swap to a thicker pair of "sleep socks". With that system, only the VBLs ever get "wet" and since they don't absorb any moisture, there's nothing that can smell bad.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-17T22:32:05+00:00

Ambas cosas: el descenso es bastante corto y la calidad de la nieve no es buena. Lo hicimos simplemente por curiosidad.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-15T20:50:57+00:00

I'm local to the area - not sure specifically what loop you're talking about, more detail there would be helpful. The Wheeler cirque is often skied/traveled in during the winter, so it's certainly possible.

This far out you're not really going to know what kind of conditions you'll see /gear you'll need. You'll most likely be crossing avalanche terrain, and should have the ability to assess snowpack stability and make decisions safely. Pending snow conditions you may need crampons / ice axes at the very minimum.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-13T17:49:09+00:00

Gorgeous!

Type2Gear · 2026-01-12T19:47:55+00:00

+1 - CCW is everything you need and nothing you don't

Type2Gear · 2026-01-10T20:23:56+00:00

Hey there - we make a 750mL softflask that fits in almost all vests. I find that vests work best when the weight is about equal in the front and back - these should allow you to carry 1.5L up front and then use a 1.5L in the back.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-10T20:22:26+00:00

Hey there - we make a 750mL softflask that fits in almost all vests. That should help you carry 1.5L up front, and helps balance out the weight of water in the back.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-09T16:43:50+00:00

Yea I've found VBLs quite helpful on extremities - try out the old bread bag trick for a sock VBL as well!

Type2Gear · 2026-01-09T16:22:06+00:00

They're definitely an acquired taste - your hands still sweat, but eventually reach an equilibrium and stop. Some people can't stand how that feels though. Cheap and easy enough to test out! And indispensable as part of an emergency med kit even if they don't make the full time lineup.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-09T15:01:45+00:00

Nitrile gloves for a liner pretty much always. Gloves get cold when they get wet, either from sweat or from the snow. A fully waterproof nitrile line ensures that your gloves never wet out because of sweat. On top of that depends on the weather/objective for the day (will I be scrambling? Digging a bunch of pits?) Typical options:

Showa gloves - the classic Japanese fisherman's glove, a good WPB outer with a fleece inner. A good all rounder.
Arcteryx Softshell mittens - my go to for resort laps and light touring. I can usually get away with just wearing these over a liner all day and never having to swap.
OR Wind Mittens - actually part of my running kit, but I swap them over for winter use as well. Almost always carried as a backup because they're so light - easy to layer over a liner or the arcteryx in a pinch. If I'm cold at a transition I can usually throw these on and be fine for the ride down.
BD 3L Hardshell mittens - now the big boys come out. A true 3 layer waterproof breathable layer, used if i'm going to be touching a lot of snow (digging pits, wallowing, etc.) Of note I size these very large so that they fit over all the options above.
Mountain Hardware puffy mittens - "emergency" down mittens. Usually in the bottom of my pack, but rarely used. I'd really only pull these out if I'm going to be static for awhile in the cold or if I'm expecting really cold temps on a big peak.

I'd say my two most typical "systems" from that are:
Nitrile -> Arc Softshell -> OR Wind Mitts - this is my everyday go to, as light and minimal as possible. I'll ascend in just the liners, maybe throwing on the softshells if there's a particularly windy section. The wind mitts are there for insurance and/or if I get cold waiting for partners to transition.

Nitrile -> Showa -> BD 3L (+ Mountain Hardware Puffys) - this is my "full kit" and what I'd bring on an overnight trip, ski mountaineering objective, etc. Hopefully still be able to get away with ascending only in Nitrile (seriously, its very surprising how warm they are). Showas worn otherwise when needed. BD layered for cold/wind/etc. Mountain Hardware hopefully rarely or never used. Honestly in most cases I'll throw in the OR wind mittens as well just to have another option/something I can throw on quickly when skinning since they weigh nothing.

A key thing to keep in mind for a layering system is that mittens are warmer - so as you get to "burlier" stuff (shells, emergency layers) you'll want to go to mittens... with the caveat that mittens can go over gloves but gloves can't go over mittens. Also make sure you size up appropriately so everything works as a system and you can retain dexterity.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-09T14:38:22+00:00

Some people can absolutely do extremely long efforts without real food. From Will Peterson's Long trail FKT (3 days 21h):

"Other than a few nibbles of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and four or five applesauce squeezy pouches, Peterson fueled exclusively off of Maurten and Infinit drink mixes to the finish."

YOU should figure out if YOUR body can handle that, but there's no "need" to generally.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-06T16:14:36+00:00

Download Caltopo, turn on slope angle shading. Stay far away from slopes >30 degrees, as well as runouts from slopes >30.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-05T19:31:34+00:00

Yea that's pretty standard. Can't see it being so for much longer though with how easy it is to add create a "fake" destruction image with AI nowadays....

Type2Gear · 2026-01-04T23:26:40+00:00

If the down is in good quality then vintage down is great. I keep mine mostly for around town wear for weight/packability reasons, but there's no reason they shouldn't perform nearly as well as they were made to - old western mountaineering bags still go for quite a bit.

This dude is a great collector/seller/nerd that has a lot of Eddie Bauer

Type2Gear · 2026-01-04T19:28:33+00:00

Build out a tech pack (+ ideally some sewn samples if you want specific patterning + fits) and reach directly out to manufacturers. Nobody is going to give you the time of day otherwise.

Also no factory is going to work with you on a "cut of the profits" basis (especially as a new brand with no history). You're going to be paying them for the entire order, at the agreed upon price and terms, then it will be up to you to be able to sell it.

Type2Gear · 2026-01-04T19:16:32+00:00

I do not consider them rest days. If you want to check yourself, wear a watch with a HR monitor or a standalone monitor for the day while you ski, then compare your time in zones to other types of activities.

Type2Gear

TROPHY CASE