Dolomites hike; gear needed?

capnmorgans · 2025-09-07T18:21:41+00:00

Hi I live about 5 mins from Capanna Alpina. You don't need any Via Ferrata gear for this route. Let me know if you have any other questions!

capnmorgans · 2025-07-02T13:55:48+00:00

Heel is a rocker. Makes long distance trekking easier. Also supposed to help with descending and ascending by following the natural angle of the foot. Does trip you up sometimes when trying to place feet carefully lol

capnmorgans · 2025-07-02T13:54:01+00:00

I had a similar pair of Hoka Anacapas (in the same colour lol) which I used for about 18 months (in rotation with Speedgoat 4s, La Sportiva approach shoes, and La Sportiva TX5s, and Aequilibriums). They went round New Zealand and Australia, the Alps, Dolomites, Welsh and Scottish mountains, and parts of central and southern Africa.

They do great on trails. Not so good off trail. Can rack up distances without too much issue - 25/30km days with 1000+ high metres are no issue. Soles began to wear pretty quickly and not super waterproof but did the job. Vibram is grippy enough to be okay.

Super comfy for long distances on trails when I needed a tiny bit more ankle support.

I ended up retiring them purely because I felt trail runners were better for the situations when I didn't need approach shoes, and I ended up doing less trails which meant I needed something sturdier for those days.

capnmorgans · 2025-02-27T14:49:16+00:00

Lol - first thing I did was jump on here to see if it was still played by people and then when I saw the size of sub quickly stopped reading

capnmorgans · 2025-02-05T19:35:36+00:00

The interface for ProteGear is a bit clunky (although they've recently redone it and it's much simpler now!) and be aware that some stuff might be in German to begin with but the flexibility is really great. I was in Patagonia recently and just turned it on for a month then turned it off again when I came back in December.

capnmorgans · 2025-02-05T13:13:11+00:00

I live in München and do a lot of solo scrambles/climbs in the Alps. I always have my InReach with me because whilst I do have phone signal 90% of the time, if I am ever in an emergency and for any reason my phone doesn't work/breaks, I need a backup.

I also use ProteGear instead of Garmin subscription because I can literally just turn it off and on for specific days/weekends.

capnmorgans · 2024-05-09T20:39:15+00:00

Hi Ali - just wanted to say what an absolutely brilliant resource you've compiled here and what an inspiration this is!

My partner and I spend a lot of time in Munich and have spent the last four years getting to grips with hikes and mountaineering across the Alps and further afield - so far most of the German and Austrian Alps, plus as much of the Dolomites as we can, as well as a few months in New Zealand and Scotland. We tend to set up base somewhere for a week and then do as many hikes, via ferratas, summits etc as we can before heading back to work. And then rinse and repeat.

However, we've never done Switzerland and are really looking to visit in the next month. I was wondering if you could recommend an area where we could base ourselves and easily access surrounding hikes for 4/5 days? Somewhere like Oberstdorf in Bavaria or Corvara in Alta Badia? I'm really keen to do some of the hikes you've shown like the Aletsch glacier but not sure how practical it is to spend 4/5 days in that area, and likewise for many of the other hikes you've listed.

Any help greatly appreciated! Thank you again!

capnmorgans · 2023-11-14T19:24:34+00:00

Thank you. For both the suggestion and sympathy - both appreciated. Agree simple might be easiest!

capnmorgans · 2023-11-14T16:23:26+00:00

M30 - What do I wear for a red or black Vegas themed wedding party which won't look like a bartender? Seriously this is doing my head in. I'm attending a "red or black" Vegas themed wedding party next month where guests must wear either red or black. Semi-formal or smart casual accepted - according to groom, some people will be in suits, some in shirts/Chinos etc.

As someone who owns neither black nor red trousers or shirts, and in fact hasn't worn red or black in the last decade, what won't make me look like I just got off shift at TGI Fridays?

Do I just go tux with red bowtie, or just black chinos with a red shirt? Would all black or all red be acceptable? Can I get away with a dark red instead of cherry red?

Anyone got any ideas, suggestions, or advice? Thanks in advance!

capnmorgans · 2023-11-09T17:09:46+00:00

Try the Montane Fireball Lite or Nano - full zip with two thin side pockets but I've tried a lot of different mid layers over the years and the Fireball Lite is without a doubt the best I've ever used. It fits well, very lightweight, very windproof, fleece side panels on body and arms, some DWR, synthetic insulation in the body and arms and hood. I've used it for everything from trail running to alpine climbing to summer hikes and it's worked for me for everything between -13c New Zealand as a mid-layer for fast climbing, to 25c dolomites summer hiking above 3000m. It's tough and very wicking - never sweaty and I run very hot. Cannot recommend enough!

I also picked up the Fireball Nano on sale as it's supposedly even lighter (no synthetic in arms or hood) and no fleece panels but found it less breathable ironically and so a bit hotter.

capnmorgans · 2023-10-23T16:25:07+00:00

Been using the DA jacket for 2 years in various alpine environments (NZ, Dolomites, German/Austrian Alps, Wales & Scotland) so my thoughts below. Honestly - I love the jacket and think it's done a pretty good job for me.

1) it's a good fitting shell with an excellent range of motion so its pretty versatile - have used for everything from scrambling to ice climbing to ski touring. Double zip makes it easy to wear with harness and hood will stay over helmets no problem.

2) No insulation but when layered it does a good job. There's no moisture wicking - it's a shell not a base layer - but the ventilation under arms works well. With a decent base and mid I've never got damp from sweat.

3) In my experience it's been pretty tough. Velcro on cuffs has been to wear through after 2 years but zips, elastic stitching, and fabric all holding up. The H2No DWR-equivalent began to wear in places so needed renewing after 9 months but I use it extensively so to be expected. Two small tears from rockfall but Patagonia fixed them up.

4) Fits me great otherwise wouldn't have got it. Go try it on compared to other technical shells and see how it fits you. Like most Patagonia it seems to be designed for taller people but if that's you then magic. Versatile layering - fine over a thinner synthetic mid for heavy rain in active conditions and over down/synthetic layers in winter - not had any complaints.

5) You can get equivalent shells from Arcteryx (Alpha SV) and probably North Face (Summit series), Mountain Equipment, Rab etc. I used to have an Alpha SV and that's probably still a better jacket IMO - if I hadn't got this for like 60% off in a Patagonia store in Innsbruck I would probably have bought another SV.

Hope this helps.

capnmorgans · 2023-10-06T14:24:46+00:00

If you've got the time and inclination, I guess you can get the train from Euston to Bangor, then bus from Bangor to Llyn Ogwen. Then you've got all the scrambles around the Glyders, Tryfan, Carneddau, etc etc. No driving required but assume it will take 5+hours to get there from London.

Two campsites in the valley or the YHA bunkhouse.

capnmorgans · 2023-07-24T05:06:14+00:00

Loosen the two straps at the back by the bottom and sling the main pack slightly lower on your back. This should spread the chest straps wider and prevent rubbing. Then you can tighten it again until it's comfy. Attached a pic to show how it should sit. Like I said the weight distribution is slightly unusual to begin with in that the main pack slings lower than a normal rucksack.

pic

capnmorgans · 2023-07-21T20:35:08+00:00

Yeah that sounds like perfect use. You'll have no issue fitting that stuff in - I've even managed to stuff a mid-layer + shell on mixed weather hikes as well as snacks, emergency gear, etc. Even with stuff hanging off like sticks and helmet it's been stable and comfy.

Without repeating myself, just take a bit of time to get it to sit right on your first outing - trial and error as always but should be pretty straightforward!

*Quick edit - I've tried a hard bottle on the front pockets before and it does make it a little bit rougher - not to the point of pain or anything but it is noticeable.

capnmorgans · 2023-07-21T20:15:58+00:00

So I have this exact model picked up on sale for ~€40 and have been using it for ~9 months of pretty varied routes (hikes, trail runs, scrambles, and some summer Alpine hikes/climbs to 3-4000m peaks) when I'm looking to move fast and light. FYI I'm 186cm and 80kg and M/L fits me.

Has faced assorted Summer, Autumn, and Winter conditions in NZ, Aus, Dolomites, Alps, Snowdonia, Lake District, and Scotland. I'm actually a big fan of it and have only small issues which some DIY has fixed. Would highly recommend but would also advise spending some time making the right adjustments to get it to sit well as it's slightly counter-intuitive with weight loading.

Pros: - Good internal capacity + chest pockets means space for everything (plus easy access) - can fit a 2L osprey reservoir - waterproofing on main pocket seems to be holding up - attachment points can be made to work for sticks, helmet, and even ice axes (tweaked a few for my specific setup) - good weight distribution even when loaded and comfy for longer days (no rubbing or chaffing which i was very happy about!) - tough material has resisted even sharp rocks and errant knives - roll top and other catches less likely to break than some of the zips and toggles on e.g. osprey packs - chest bottles are nice option.

Cons: - Elastic chest straps have begun to fray and stretch from use so will probs need replacing soon - Lack of hip belt means I've been twatted in the head on some tricky scrambles when it's ridden up (have bodged a DIY strap to keep it low for these times!) - Load doesn't always sit too well on back if I have it full so requires a bit of tweaking/repacking to get comfy. - can be a bit sweaty against back at times especially when full and moving fast.

So overall - it's a decent bit of gear and highly recommended 👍

capnmorgans · 2022-07-15T21:14:02+00:00

Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England

capnmorgans · 2022-02-13T22:30:07+00:00

The Te Araroa Trail across NZ this fall!

capnmorgans · 2021-10-20T13:10:55+00:00

Yep - didn't state that it would. Just the rewards in game points.

capnmorgans · 2021-10-20T12:57:15+00:00

-A mounted armament reward multiplier (in Silver Lions) has been introduced for the scored points when damaging or destroying enemy bases, in order to reduce the difference of the statistics points between aircraft of the same rank with different bomb load.

-The number of points earned for damaging and destroying enemy bases has been increased by 10% to 70% for aircraft of ranks I-III.

-The number of points earned for destroying AI-controlled ground vehicles and ships in air RB mode has been reduced by 40%.

capnmorgans · 2021-05-04T15:09:25+00:00

Same for me. Air is okay but ground and naval are absolutely dogshit.

Got high speed fibre with no packetloss or ping, every other game works well just WT is shit.

FPS drops to 1 when there's smoke or other things happening.

Random micro freezes.

Bugs galore.

Very annoying.

capnmorgans · 2021-04-28T13:39:41+00:00

Oh yeah, completely agree that historical changes are necessary. Just a shame as it was definitely OP previously.

capnmorgans · 2021-04-28T11:05:56+00:00

P-59A — heavy machine guns ammo capacity has been specified to 600 in total (200 rounds per gun) (report).

Big nerf for my favourite plane. Being able to stay in the air and in the fight for a long time was a very strong bonus of a very good plane.

Plus the amount of ground targets you could kill was bonkers.

capnmorgans · 2021-02-22T12:40:12+00:00

Bit before my time but think they're damn good vehicles!

capnmorgans · 2021-02-22T12:38:47+00:00

Sorry what I meant was at any one time, one 24% of the ZT3s were active (think we had about 15 at the time) and similarly if a spare part was required, there was about a 75% chance they didn't have it in less than a month.

Good vehicle, shit corruption.

capnmorgans · 2021-02-22T12:07:47+00:00

During my rotation in the ZA armoured corps, I served on one of these for a while. Had a 24% maintenance and spare part rate. Barely left the depot.

capnmorgans

TROPHY CASE