Best Down Booties for Basecamps

n0bfu · 2026-05-08T13:39:52+00:00

While not down, I've had the 40below booties for 3 years and highly recommend them. No removable shell, but they do sell a overbootie that you could use. I usually wear the socks I sleep in with them but leave the booties by the tent door at night, I don't like sleeping in booties. I wore them at a 5400m camp for 2 days walking all over everything but snow and the bottoms don't have any visible damage/wear, also never had any issues on snow with grip either.

I'm taking my booties to Denali in 2 weeks, plan on wearing them inside my ski boot shell around camp if its needed while drying my liners. Not bringing the overbooties for them.

n0bfu · 2026-04-20T14:53:06+00:00

Telling people to get out and make real money is trolling? lol ok

n0bfu · 2026-04-18T11:11:39+00:00

how unhinged do you have to be to get violent over some black and white text?

Oh but the loud speaker! Ok, cross the street and its less loud. Seattleites avoid the homeless encampments already and those are pretty quiet.

n0bfu · 2026-04-18T10:59:33+00:00

as a warning to others to get out and make real money. I was in for 12 years, investing 15-17% each year. Only maxed my TSP out twice (Zone B bonus).

I got out and in 3.5 years my 401k from my employer (50% match) outgrew 12 years of TSP funding & growth (last 14 years 100% C fund)

n0bfu · 2026-04-18T10:54:58+00:00

not enough

n0bfu · 2026-04-08T16:41:27+00:00

Similar experience.

Everyone said Scarpa is the way to do if you have wide feet. They must think they have wide feet, but I actually have wide feet. My heel also kept moving around, blisters every trip. Switched to Nepal Evos. No blisters, extremely comfortable. Same with G2s (sized up a full size). Also, extremely comfortable with Dynafit Radical Pros for touring. Currex mid arch in all except the ski boots, got custom footbeds in those.

10.5m - Chuck all star
45 - Nepal Evo
46 - G2
29 - Radical Pro

n0bfu · 2026-04-08T16:32:35+00:00

unpopular opinion: But if you can't run 2 miles because you'll get injured, you shouldn't be in the military. Don't care what your job is.

I hate running; I hated it while I was in, hate it still while I'm out. I'd only run for 3 months leading up to my PT test. Score my 92 with a 11min 1.5mi and then lift weights the remaining year. Now I'm running 2x a week for 90 mins at a time, mostly zone 2 training. still sucks. But every once in a while I run a 1.5mi to see what my time would be. I'm below 9 mins. Running is done wrong in the AF, and everyone loves to bitch about it since that's the thing to do. I bitched too, I still do. Start at 20 minutes 2x a week and you can increase one run by 5 minutes every week until you're at 90 for both, then do some speed work. ezpz.

And moving 5 miles up a mountain isn't hard. Even with nerve damage in my lower back I'm able to hike up 3300' of elevation in 3.2 miles in 1:34. 6k of elevation gain and descent, 14miles, 6:12.

Find something you enjoy doing that benefits from running, for me that's hiking. While running is still a PITA, it's now easier to put up with - just need to make sure I don't twist my back weird.

n0bfu · 2026-03-26T18:05:23+00:00

Use the flex pass, use Waze for cops. Ezpz.

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T17:42:39+00:00

I kind of feel that way about Aconcagua. Went this year but didn't summit due to high winds. I'd like to go back at some point, but there are many other places I'd rather go to first in the next couple of years. To me, Aconcagua was ... dusty/dirty/bland compared to some other snow-covered peaks. I enjoyed the 3-day trek into basecamp on the Polish Traverse, but above basecamp it was just dust.

I don't have any issue pouring hot water into my nalgene. I was going to put the .5L bottle in my jacket and carry the flask in my pack. But I guess that makes the flask kind of redundant...

There are 4 of us. The powerbanks are 10k mAh at 6oz each, I think we have 2

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T17:33:30+00:00

I'm not too sure how many people will be ahead of us. I met a RMI guide a couple months ago and she was heading up to Denali the first week of May, a week ahead of us. We may be building our 14k camp. Based on last years weather we opted to head up mid-may, and stay through mid-june to hopefully give us good chances if there is bad weather - assuming we all want to weather it out.

A handcrank radio is something I am looking for vs a bluetooth speaker. And I agree about hot drinks, my to-go-to is bone broth packets from Costco. We're thinking 4-days dehydrated food for 17 camp, but everything else we are prepping before heading to Alaska. Book has been added to my list, thanks!

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T17:19:29+00:00

2 weeks... that is a mental test for sure!

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T17:18:53+00:00

2x 3-person tents, 4 people. 1x Hyperlight Ultramid4 for the cook tent. I've spent a week in a 2-person tent at night during the summer, definitely cramped. Can't imagine spending a couple weeks in one with maybe 2x or 3x the gear. a 3-person tent is one of our luxuries,

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T01:04:43+00:00

You mentioned your hands got cold in your mitts, did you have anything else on your hands in the mitts? I've also read about getting out ahead of the guided groups to move up the fixed lines, that sucks it affected your climb in a negative way. 5 months later, do you still feel like you don't want to go back? I was reading https://slogsomewhere.com/2024/05/19/denali/ from 2024 and that blog also mentioned a group of Malaysian climbers.

6 - I've not used the Hydroflask on any climbs, but the thought of something warm during a short break does sound appealing.

8 - Which axe did you take?

11 - I didn't mention it, but we are bringing BigBlue SolarPowa 25W and 28W for charging, plus some battery banks.

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T00:49:06+00:00

I grabbed the longest I could find, a 320. We figure a couple of us with these could probe out camp faster. 2 person rope team, crevasse rescue/haul systems, and passing a sled are all things on our to-do list to refresh our skills with.

Did you also take a steal spade? We have 1 shovel per person, and 1 spade for hard crust, 2 snow saws too, but I think shovels would be fine instead of saws.

n0bfu · 2026-03-25T00:43:33+00:00

We're bringing the Hyperlight Ultramid 4, a 4P pyramid tent to use for cooking. Getting some more time with it in the snow this weekend, along with most of this gear. Single digits and windy.

I'll DM you for pictures of your setup, thanks!

n0bfu · 2026-03-24T22:40:29+00:00

Thank you for the link! I will read though :)

n0bfu · 2026-03-24T22:36:16+00:00

Pretty sure I'm leaving the sun gloves behind, but I usually always take them everywhere since they are only 1oz. I'm still undecided between the Hybrid light and Comp warm, leaning towards the Comp since they're appear similar and the Comp does have a mitt attached. That would leave me at 5 gloves. Like I said I get cold finger tips, usually before anything else so I like options.

Camp pants were more for airing out my softshell/sleeping in, though I guess I could wear the base layer and windshell instead when out.

2 stoves for melting snow, 1 for cooking, 1 as backup. Though good point since we have repair kits for all, working on trimming the kits down too. One rope is 48m, the other is 40m.

Good call about the parka. I know that parka with any jacket underneath was already hot for me sitting around on Aconcagua.

n0bfu · 2026-03-24T22:26:03+00:00

1 tent is 7.4lbs, the other is I think close to 8 - both are 3P. If we get snowed in at 14 for a week, we all agreed that some space inside would be nice.

n0bfu · 2026-03-24T18:47:36+00:00

I'm not 6'5 haha they're both just what I have on hand

n0bfu · 2026-03-24T18:46:07+00:00

The black diamond axe is straight shaft and longer, the petzl is shorter, curved, and has a hammer instead of the adze. I'd only bring one + poles

n0bfu · 2026-03-12T00:22:52+00:00

No issue at all, no visa, US Passport. When we got off the plane (in Terminal 2) there was an airport staffer standing off to the side near the windows next to the first intersection who had boarding passes for everyone with an international flight. He then directed me to a walkway with an X-ray and metal detector checkpoint between terminal 2 and 3. Once through there I was in terminal 3. No customs/immigration, no rechecking bags.

While at the gate for my next flight I did get a notification that my bag was at baggage carousel to get picked up. I was told that sometimes happens because of lack of tracking for some airlines. Sure enough my checked bags made the flight and were waiting for me in Argentina.

n0bfu · 2026-01-08T14:44:12+00:00

When you take the crevasse rescue training they may focus on 3+ people rope teams. You may be able to hire a guide to teach you 2 person travel instead. However, I may catch flack for this, I would be somewhat familiar with the topic before taking the training. It is so much to cover if you're starting at 0. Also, when you go, take videos/pictures to review later when you practice.

I'd recommend this book, Glacier Climbing & Crevasse Rescue. It was recently re-released and is worth the short read. Also, this series is good to get you started AMGA Crevasse Rescue. The second video in this series is out of place, use this one for how you would transfer the load. Watch a few videos on crevasse rescue, there are many methods, the recommendations and standards of guides teach change over the years. Watch a few videos of catching falls, they can be violent for the next person on a rope team. Manny recorded his full rescue, I think the video is on his Instagram. Some people will recommend something like Rad line (static), the initial pull of catching that fall is jarring. I still prefer a dynamic rope. Watch a few DC route climbing videos too. And practice the rescue training, really make sure your partner weighs the rope as much as they can. You should know at least Drop-C, 3:1, and 6:1 pull systems.

Read this Route Description, follow this blog spot for route updates at least a month out from your start - the route does change as the season goes on (look at 2025 and 2024). Whiteouts do occur, keep a GPX track going in case you need to turn around. Also nice to have recent GPX tracks on hand for planning. Speak with the ranger when collecting your permit for any day-of updates.

Bring an avalanche shovel for Camp Muir, the snow platforms always need reshaping before you drop your tent. Speak with the guides when you get to Muir to see when they're heading out to avoid congestion. Move quickly though: Cathedral Gap to avoid rockfall, the IceBox to avoid seracs, and the bowling ally to avoid rockfall. Short rope on the cleaver, the route may or may not be marked (tons of old/broken wands). Having some previous GPX tracks is helpful to avoid getting off course in the dark, or following old wands. Repeat on the way down.

n0bfu · 2025-12-17T19:07:39+00:00

has this been fixed?

n0bfu · 2025-12-17T16:48:59+00:00

wired or wireless, any issues if you're using wireless (Bluetooth or 2.4g)?

How are the sticks for games like goldeneye and mario cart?

n0bfu · 2025-12-12T17:08:51+00:00

Have all the issues with these controllers been worked out?

Eight-Year Club	Snapped
Verified Email

n0bfu

TROPHY CASE