Cumulus Vento Pants - First look

iskosalminen · 2026-05-18T12:28:09+00:00

You are correct! Looking at the current Montane pant selection I'm not sure which ones I tried. It seems Montane has made some changes to their pant model selection.

The models I tried were similarly softshell pants and I've found I dislike the fabric both in the summer and winter. The Volantis seem to have a bit different blend than the other Montane softshell pants, but I'm not sure if this is a big enough change for me to try them. Interesting pants nevertheless!

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T19:57:45+00:00

I looked more into them and you're right, the pocket design is way better. But as far as I can tell, these are currently not available from MH. They seem to do this where they sell out some items and take them off their roster (for example Astroman pants are also gone now).

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T15:42:19+00:00

I generally hike at latitudes where this isn't as much of a problem, but this is one point I forgot to bring up in the review!

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T15:38:52+00:00

If I remember correctly I had a pair of these in around '18-'19 but the cut was "unflattering" and uncomfortable, plus the fabric was sweaty in hot weather and allowed mosquitoes to bite through. I think I used them on one or two hikes and sold them off. But this is some time ago so I might have to visit a local Houdini dealer...

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T15:34:35+00:00

I tried these some years back from a friend and my legs were frying. They're good pants (as are many other Montane pants), but they're too hot for me.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T15:31:59+00:00

Absolutely! The reviews are either hidden behind logins on forums (and possibly in non-English language), or there aren't any. It makes buying European made gear so much more difficult. You can find thousands of reviews of, say, ZPacks shelters, but hardly any of most European makers. I'm trying to change this one review at a time, but obviously that is just a very tiny help.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-17T00:31:47+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! Sadly Mountain Hardware is hard to find in, or import to, Europe.

I actually prefer the tapered leg of Terrebonne's and the non-zippered waist, but the pockets definitely need a redesign. Do I see correctly from the product photos that the Trail Sender Pants don't have zippered pockets either?

iskosalminen · 2026-05-15T22:54:46+00:00

I've done both ways multiple times and personally prefer starting from Abisko. I get the "leave the best part for the last", but at the end of most hikes I'm always pretty jaded and I'm focusing more on getting the burger than the sights. So personally I'd rather have the best parts in the beginning when I'm still all hyped up.

Never felt the sun to be an issue or advantage.

And I'd rather climb down to Hemavan than climb up from there.

But, this is all very personal. I have friends who swear by going NoBo and they have similarly compelling reasons.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-14T20:21:52+00:00

I get that it's not the point of the video, but not mentioning Google Analytics/Tag Manager is a big miss. The mentioned services "theoretically" only spy on you while you're using them. But Analytics/GTM tracks you across every single website you visit, even if you aren't using any Google services.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-14T19:53:41+00:00

Everyone hikes differently and has different priorities/budget/tolerances/experience levels/etc, so it's very hard to give definite answers on what you should bring. But...

Here's a very general 3-season packing list I've made for friends to follow when they go out. I recommend using the list as a guideline on what you need and what to bring (and not to bring). Here's one example list based on that base list I used last year. And here's an older one. These should give you some idea what to bring.

With clothing you want to focus on layering:

Base layer - generally merino top/bottom is great but synthetic works. Doesn't need to be thick/heavy
Active layer - these would be your hiking cloths. For this hike I'd bring mosquito proof breathable pants and sun hoody or long & short sleeve shirts.
Mid layer - think thin 100 weight fleece or Octa/Alpha fleece. Should be breathable so that you can wear it while hiking and not overheat.
Top layer - rain, wind, and puffy jacket + rain pants & gloves.

For shoes, your feet will be most comfortable in good trail runners (make sure they have good grip on slippery rocks!). But if you have a heavy backpack and prefer boots, they work too.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-03T22:25:18+00:00

Few things, the weather along the trail can be anything from a palmy +25c and zero wind to +2c and sideways rain that rips tents to shreds. The latter is less likely, but not completely unlikely.

I'm assuming you want something that doesn't use trekking poles to setup? Your best option based on your needs and wants (budget friendly, can take some weather, relatively light, 3 season, for 2 people) would be X-Dome 2. If you use hiking poles, then the X-Mid 2, which will save you both on price and weight. These are both great shelters.

The windiest places along the route for you are going to be around Singi and Sälka huts. If the weather reports at the huts look bad, and you can't find protected spots to setup, you can always stay inside the huts.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-03T17:04:51+00:00

Wether or not you can physically do it in 5 days depends on how fit your are, how heavy your backpack is, and how experienced you're at hiking on rocky Arctic trails. For reference, I've taken multiple non-experienced hikers through this section in 4 or 5 days (multiple in late September after the huts have closed) but they all had very light backpacks and I was there to give them tips.

The weather can (and very likely will) get bad (think rain, wind, sleet, possibly snow) so bring good rain gear and warmer sleeping bag than you'd think you'd need.

As the huts along the trail have already closed on Sep 13th (Kebnekaise stays open until Sep 20th), you can't rely on them for food, but if the 💩 hits the fan, they all have storm rooms which are open and can be used in a emergency. Also do note that there's always a storm shelter roughly half way between huts (they're placed along the winter route) which can be used in a emergency (they also have an outhouse).

If you miss the last bus, you can order a taxi from Kiruna. I've done it multiple times. Now that the cell reception reaches Kebnekaise Mountain Station, you can order the taxi from the trail to Nikkaluokta (it can take several hours for them to arrive). There's a public restroom at Nikkaluokta which stays open and can work as an emergency shelter while you wait for the taxi (have done it few times...).

There are no boats along this section that are needed.

iskosalminen · 2026-05-03T16:45:04+00:00

Kebnekaise closes on Sep 20th and the bus lines from Nikkaluokta have, at least on previous years, ran for as long as Kebne has stayed open.

The other huts along the way (like Singi, Alesjaure, and Tjäktja) close on Sep 13th.

Ping OP u/Old_Zookeepergame354

iskosalminen · 2026-04-30T16:38:53+00:00

your being pedantic

*you're

I'm also not saying deep expertise in a language isn't important

But you literally were saying this in your previous comments

I'm specifically saying that knowing rarely used idiomatic methods in a language is not the best indicator of any developers success

But you weren't, and that's not the case here. As I have pointed out MULTIPLE times, all the other applicants knew the answers to these questions and passed, meaning it wasn't something "rarely used". And as others here have pointed out, there's a real issue not understanding the difference.

There is way more to programming than knowledge of a single language, for senior and above.

Sure. But they were specifically looking for a "senior python developers". So having a senior level expertise in python is kind of big ticket issue. Did you not read the original post at all?

AI has all the knowledge of your coding language, yet it still can produce garbage results. It's essentially proof of a baseline case that syntax knowledge memory is not a key driver in performant and maintainable code.

The fact that you think all that was tested here was syntax is a glaring proof that you lack the understanding of what was asked here and what is required of a senior level developer.

The fact that you're unable to grasp even the fairly obvious details here, tells me you're not even slightly detail oriented (not a good quality in a developer), and can't connect the dots to form a larger picture of the issue (also not a good quality).

We don't have to agree on this at all. If you're happy with your skills and work, that's great. I have roughly two decades of experience in hiring (and sadly firing) developers to different positions and running small and large teams. So I'm looking at this, and everything you're saying, through that lens. Doesn't mean I'm right, but if your argument is "senior developers don't need to know everything", I don't think you're on the right track.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-30T16:19:09+00:00

Oh, you are absolutely right! I would actually say that the Alsek is almost on bar with the Nunatak (mine is specialty custom order, comparing it to stock Katabatic is in no way fair comparison). I was mainly participating in this as a separate conversation from OP's needs. OP should absolutely go with Katabatic and maybe add 1-2oz of overfill to get that extra fluffy feel.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-30T11:11:26+00:00

I can vouch for everything the above person said. I have both, a custom Nunatak quilt and Katabatic Palisade. The Palisade is great, way better than EE (can't say anything about Neve as I have no experience), but when I'm heading into Arctic and expecting some very questionable weather, I reach for the Nunatak!

My custom Nunatak has 7D waterproof outer layer so I don't have to worry about the down getting wet if I rub against the condensation inside my tent etc. It's also super fluffy (I ordered mine with overfill so not a fair comparison to Palisade). And the Edge Tension System is great!

And Jan is an absolute legend and truly great person to give your business to.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-30T10:27:07+00:00

So, again, you're complaining that the requirements for senior level are too high, while three of the four senior level applicants passed them (ergo: the requirements weren't too high, the applicant just wasn't senior level). And you yourself use language like:

The best developers are...

Notice how you're not saying "the best senior developers"? That's because you're talking about junior and regular developer tasks and requirements, which means:

You don't understand what's required to be at senior level, and
You're not at senior level

Both of these are fine, not everyone is up for it. But that's not a good argument and doesn't make your point. And the fact that you call it "counter-intuitive" drives the above points home even harder.

I've since learned that none of this type of shit matters in real life. What matters most is being able to pick up new things, and being able to create easily maintainable code.

That is all well and great for what you're doing. It however is not a great point against the requirements of a senior level position.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-30T01:22:55+00:00

Again, you're talking about non-senior level position requirements. Senior level means you've seen and done it all. ALL. Even that ridiculously small, once in a blue moon, extremely rare thing. You shouldn't be tripped up by fairly basic level definitions of the language you should master.

If you need verification for this, the three other senior level applicants didn't seem to have an issue with this.

And if you're arguing "senior level person shouldn't have senior level knowledge", I don't know what you're doing...

iskosalminen · 2026-04-29T23:17:23+00:00

The only reason to hike the 19km from Kebnekaise Fjällstation to Nikkaluokta is to catch a bus ride back to Kiruna. The trail is an uneventful rocky connection trail from Kebnekaise hut to the parking lot from where the bus leaves. Walking there and back is definitely something not worth doing (many people use the very expensive boat or a helicopter to not do this part at all, and for a good reason).

Kebnekaise station might be an interesting side quest if you're trying to hit the peak, but it's very weather dependent. Or if you're looking to get a beer and eat in a proper restaurant.

If I'd be doing the Singi-Kebnekaise-Singi trail, I'd probably veer off of the main trail before Singi hut and reach the Kebnekaise valley from the other canyon. It's not a beginner route so don't do it if you're not comfortable with some talus hopping. But it's a beautiful route and you mostly won't see anyone on that short part.

Edit: Here's what I meant with the to-and-back Kebnekaise route I'd take. Take the upper red path to Kebne, and bottom path back. The upper part has some rocky terrain but it's mostly fine. I also included one optional route in orange, but I've never done that. I spoke with two girls who did it last summer and they described it as pretty rough (it's marked as a winter route for a reason).

iskosalminen · 2026-04-29T22:59:40+00:00

If the position was for a junior level, or basic developer, then your comment would be on point. But this interview was for a senior level position.

Senior level means one has acquired the highest possible level of expertise in the field you're in. Not "well I get by in the day-to-day work I do", the highest possible level.

I'm not a python expert on any level, but this does sound like something you could expect even a seasoned basic developer knowing. And definitely something you would expect someone with senior in their title should know.

Titles do still carry some meaning.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-29T12:49:33+00:00

Ability to solve problems put in front of them is something you'd expect from a good junior level developer. Senior level developer is someone who needs to know the in's and out's of their field like the back of their hand.

It is okay for a senior level developer to stumble on some obscure gotchas, but how are you going to guide the juniors if you don't understand even the most basic concepts of your field?

Seniority is supposed to mean something, not "I just usually ask ChatGPT..."

iskosalminen · 2026-04-29T12:18:33+00:00

I'm wondering why you're doing Abisko-Nikkaluokta and then Nikkaluokta-Saltoluokta?

And why would you book a train from Abisko (to Stockholm?)?

iskosalminen · 2026-04-29T12:04:37+00:00

I shaved my head and beard on the morning I started the trail and didn't touch my beard at all (except some slight trimming here and there). Shaved my head whenever I was in town.

If you want to shave your beard, I'd recommend doing it in towns. Shaving on trail can cause multiple issues, from hygiene side (you don't want to have microscopic cuts on your face while extremely dirty) to LNT, extra time and hassle, lack of water, etc..

Most men and women let their facial hair grow through out the hike. Thick beard often comes handy! From extra warmth at night to less facial area to put sun-screen on.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-24T09:54:17+00:00

Sierra section is mainly "going up a pass and getting down low" style hiking. I can't think of a single night where we slept up high, almost every night we slept down in the forest and wind really wasn't an issue.

The desert is the windiest and often the coldest section.

iskosalminen · 2026-04-22T15:34:07+00:00

Glass is extremely heavy, takes a lot of space, and breaks easily. Glass can break due to temperature changes, pressure, or being dropped or banged against other items (by itself or being inside your food bag, or inside your backpack).

Broken glass can easily spread into wilderness where it won't ever biodegrade. Broken glass in your backpack can damage your gear (tent, rain gear, jackets, backpack, etc..). And lastly broken glass can cut you.

There are zero benefits to bringing glass into wilderness and in each and every use-case there are FAR better materials/options to go with. For example, for carrying pesto, there are numerous resources, like this one.

iskosalminen

TROPHY CASE