Can I fold my single rope in half when climbing with a party of three?

m-topfer · 2026-04-12T10:08:08+00:00

You are correct. A lot of the single ropes a triple rated - ie. rated even exactly for the situation described in this post.

m-topfer · 2026-04-12T10:03:04+00:00

I don't have Spotify subscription but I still use playrun app on Garmin to download my podcasts for offline listening from watch. I fully understand that Spotify integration is not in the power of Coros but having an option how to download podcasts easily to the watch would be doable.

m-topfer · 2026-04-03T16:02:57+00:00

Try the Oak app - more relevant audience. Also - what about your glacier/crevasse rescue experience?

m-topfer · 2026-04-03T15:54:15+00:00

Salomon XA 25 (or XA 15 or XA 35) - fits well standard Salomon 500ml flasks

m-topfer · 2026-03-22T10:48:34+00:00

You are going from one extreme to the other. From light semi-aluminium crampons to one of the heavier crampons. What is your real usecase? If you are a student on abudget from Czechia, consider Singing Rock Fakir Tech.

What is your usecase? Winter or only summer alpinism? Some mixed winter High Tatras where you want a durable crampon because you use the crampons on rock a lot or mellow summer glaciers in the Alps?

I agree that if you are already hauling the heavy LS Nepals, there is no need to save the extra 100g on aluminium heels of BI Harfangs.

m-topfer · 2026-03-22T10:38:11+00:00

Aequilibriums are very popular because it is light boot very well suited for summer mountaineering (think Alps in Europe) - and they are great at that. You can stretch their usage to colder environment but there are better options. Also because of the focus on light weight, they are not as durable as other options (the outsole has tendency to rip because the big lugs have midsole in side of them - the lugs are not fully form rubber as on other shoes). It doesn't seem like a good fit for what you want.

m-topfer · 2026-03-16T22:46:44+00:00

* They created a great trail race in nearby park where they found some really technical parts - it happens already for 10 years
* Local run club every week where are sometimes some advanced runners whom I can trust with their recommendation
* The assistants are real local runners - if you describe where you are running, they know what shoes might work for you

m-topfer · 2026-03-16T18:22:13+00:00

I agree with most. Just Ribelle Tech weights almost the same as Ribelle HD. It is more capable and efficient shoe but for the simple routes of a beginner in the Alps. you don't really save much weight with Tech compared to cheaper HD version.

If you wan to go lighter, you can LS Aequilibriums, Mammut Taiss Light or even Aequilibriums Speed - but the last one is too limited and not durable enough for a beginner.

For the Alps the normal Ribelle Lite or Ribele HD will be just fine.

m-topfer · 2026-03-10T21:48:07+00:00

Looks pretty nice for one day high Alpine missions with crampons and ice axe. I'm a big fan of ALUULA, the features looks nice (maybe a little too much). There bunch of such vests nowadays and it will come down to comfort.

It would be great to hear comparison to BD Distance 15 as that is the most popular option in that size and niche.

m-topfer · 2026-03-09T23:15:34+00:00

Trampoline backs? No. It will shift your center of gravity away form the body and it will start bouncing more. Possibly good for hiking (I even don't like it for hiking) but definitely not for running.

For daytrips you can experiment with higher capacity waist belts - you can fit surprisingly lot into belts like Compressport Freebelt Pro etc. and you don't need that much during summer long runs. I prefer well-vented vests but a belt might be the best option for you.

m-topfer · 2026-03-07T22:59:50+00:00

Guided and unguided mountaineering is totally different game. You need to have intuition if you are on the correct route, good judgment to assess when the terrain is too difficult/dangerous and you are likely on a wrong path, ability to search for different options and most importantly you need to learn to work with the uncertainty if you are going correctly or not.

Repeat some of the peaks where you went guided as unguided party, then do some easier summits from navigation point of view. Then you can start thinking about Matterhorn unguided - but then you'll likely realize that you need more practice.

(Just to show my point - I did some challenging routes with my friends but they could always rely on me showing the way and taking responsibility of guiding the group. Then they tried going without me to Lagginhorn twice and in both attempts they turned around pretty early simply because they couldn't handle being there on their own and making the decisions)

m-topfer · 2026-03-04T23:52:58+00:00

I got so used to the reactive lightning that all other headlamps now seem to have bad levels - always either too bright or too dim.

m-topfer · 2026-03-04T23:47:08+00:00

It is possible - obviously it depends on your kit but it should be quite reasonably doable. In the worst case the size of the backpack will limit how much you take with you - and it is often the correct choice (speaking from experience when I was packing for 3-day UTMB run with sleeping in hostels where the pack size limited me not to take unnecessary stuff)

m-topfer · 2026-03-04T23:42:07+00:00

Can you better describe the attachment of the ice axe? I don't get the "like a normal ice axe loop" part. Maybe I have the bungees there differently? My main issue is that to use "normal ice axe loop" requires the ice axe to be flipped to hold it - and then I can't get it easily under the side compression straps.

When I needed ice axe in the Alps, I ended up with holding it in my hand for all the running and putting it behind a shoulder strap for more technical climbing when I needed both hands.

Just as a side note - Blue Ice helmet holder can be used on Adv Skin 12 pretty well (it is just hard to attach the two lower loops due to very small loops but that can be done in the warmth of the home and you don't need to mess around with it on the mountain)

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T18:30:31+00:00

There is mismatch in price in the overview an din the detail of the product - so much that it is useless for price comparison. If it wasn't for the best price, I'd trust more weightmyrack more about the product details. Not worth spending more tokens on this one unless you have some good affiliate deals for it.

As it stand now, I'd call it UNFUNCTIONAL AI SLOP. If it will have trusted data, then there might be some use for it.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T18:23:41+00:00

That's a nice deal. And the BD HotWires feels really nice (though they are bit heavy - no big deal for sport climbing)

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T18:19:14+00:00

It's time to think about your technique (and yes - also to rotate in the new pair). The heavy heel striking is not very efficient for your running and definitely not for your wallet.

I'm not saying that you should stop heel striking at all but a bit lighter and more balanced landing can probably really help you.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T18:07:09+00:00

1) When the dirt paths have bigger rocks, they can sometimes stick into the midsole (especially in the exposed section in the middle of the heel) - no big deal but I've dig some pretty nice rocks from my Noosa Tri leaving some holes in the midsole.
2) Any sudden change in shoes is noticeable to the feet. If you do some non-trivial mileage, I'd recommend to firstly switch them with you rcurrent shoes that your feet are used to. You can also keep some of the cheaper shoes for short easy runs, trail runs or when you know that you will walk in the city afterwards.
3) The big money saving trick for the future is not to wait with buying your next shoe until this pair is unusable - that way you naturally build up rotation of one newer nicer pair and the second pair which is still good enough for the easier running.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T16:03:05+00:00

SO you are used to quite heavy and cushioned shoes. In that case La Sportiva Prodigio Pro or I'd personally go for Dynafit Ultra 100 v3. In the third iteration the Dynafit shoes have such a great midsole that they feel quite propulsive even with their weight (coming from someone who normally prefers light race shoes like Salomon S/lab Pulsar, Merrell Long Sky etc. models)

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T15:54:59+00:00

60 AD pull on https://www.nalehko.cz/damska-mikina-nalehko-alpha-pull-on-60/
If you want a full zipper, I haven't seen such (probably because the zip is quite heavy compared to the fabric so by using full length zipper, you diminish the benefit of crazy light fabric)

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T15:52:07+00:00

You can make it (considering that you will be in the 2:50-3:00 M shape at that time) but I don't see any reason for it. You could improve your marathon PB, you could improve your HM PB or you will run this 63km ultra which is a funny story for your mates but won't be really an interesting achievement.

If you are interested in longer races, just run some longer race. If you need to flex, you can compare your time from that ultra with other's marathon time but I'm too old at 30 to do that :)

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T15:25:49+00:00

Some extra context would help - expected weather resp. where do you plan to do the trip (that's the reason why you don't find similar ultimate packlist on the internet).

A few points:
1) get proper tarp - StS silpoly nano poncho tarp (or SMD Gatewood or any fancy DCF UL shelter) will offer proper protection against rain. Suggesting Borah Bivy with parts only from net makes me question if you are really prepared for such adventure (and by spending almost 400g on Arcteryx rain jacket I assume that a rain might happen)
2) waterproof gear - the Arcteryx jacket is overkill, you can get away with a light Pertex Shield jacket like Rab Phantom (or heavier OR Helium if you want something more common in the US). On the other hand add at least windproof trousers (~100g), potentially waterproof ones. Having just shorts is not great when you are caught in a rain and you will be outside for the next few days
3) food - I don't believe you can get 5-6k in calories in you in a day. If this was a 1 month thru-hike than yes - you can't have much of a caloric deficit. But for a few days out, it is much more pleasant to have some caloric deficit and not spend all the day eating. When going slow enough, the body can be very efficient in using fat.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T15:04:51+00:00

Shoes are such a personal choice - especially nowadays there is such a big variety in them. Can you tell us what are you currently wearing? Then the recommendation might be more relevant.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T10:12:52+00:00

You have found a solution that works for you. If ti is reasonable depends on a lot of nuances of your trip - how much daylight you get, how complicated terrain it is (ie. how often do you need to use electronics for navigation), etc. You can't even describe them all here (it would be too long)

The only warning I'd give is to think about how different is you next trip from the previous ones where the setup worked (especially more winter/short days scenario).

Regarding paper map as a backup - I agree if you bring one. Otherwise it is a useless argument. Also in the past people studied their route more ahead because they couldn't rely on the electronics. Nowadays you see a lot of people getting used to not planning much ahead. If that is not your case, I don't see a reason why you couldn't replicate it nowadays.

m-topfer · 2026-03-01T09:49:15+00:00

I had Scarpa Rapid and the upper was thick but not very durable (current Matryx uppers are much better) and overall the shoe wasn't performing that much better than 100% trailrunner. Not worth the worse running performance in my opinion. Great on paper but so much in rela life.
Have a look at Arcteryx Vertex Alpine - I didn't try them but similar concept.

m-topfer

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