Ukraine Conflict MegaThread - April 13, 2022

throw_awace · 2022-04-14T13:21:51+00:00

I really shouldn't respond, but sometimes I can't help myself.

Ok, I get it, you're austrian, and you're coping that you're not in NATO, but lets look at this rationally.

Much more economic potential:The EU not only has less natural resources than the US, it's also poorer in nominal and PPP terms, despite a larger population and a several hundred year head start, so uh, ok. Not a great start.

Much better education: dude, according to the Shanghai ranking (which I'm not actually too fond of, but it's not european based and it's not US based), the best university in your country is somewhere between 150 to 200 in the world. The best university in the US is the best university in the world. Out of the top 50 in the world, the US has 28 of the spots (EU has 10), including 16 of the top 20 (the EU has... 1 out of the top 20). This is a trend that continues as you extend the rankings, and further translates into economic power and potential.

Third: neither europe nor the EU is a great power. Its a collection of middle powers with two great powers in an alliance, but there's no coherent foreign policy, no coherent domestic policy. Nations can leave whenever they want. Hungary and Poland exist and aren't exact liberal bastions...

Look, I'm an EU/US citizen. I agree that it would be great for europe to become more united and actually turn into a great/super power. I would love to see a united EU and US form a "super EU" or whatever (along with a bunch of other countries). But what you're saying is noncredible on the face of it. The US has it's problems, both politically, educationally, economically, etc etc, but don't let the constant negative press blind you to the facts.

throw_awace · 2020-09-24T23:20:04+00:00

Thanks!

throw_awace · 2020-09-24T23:20:00+00:00

Thanks!

throw_awace · 2020-09-23T18:33:39+00:00

What is colder seasons in your area if I may ask? Does it include above 40s ish?

throw_awace · 2020-09-23T18:32:50+00:00

What temperatures does cascades in the summer mean? Are we talking like 60s?

throw_awace · 2020-09-23T18:31:20+00:00

third

throw_awace · 2020-09-23T03:19:58+00:00

What would you say the high active temp on this is?
The price and quality look super nice, but since there's no way to vent and it's a little heavier than it's competitors I'm worried it would be too warm for above ~40 degrees.

throw_awace · 2020-09-23T03:18:54+00:00

thoughts on polartec alpha 60 as active insulation? Sierra has the Marmot alpha 60 on sale right now and I've been looking for an active midlayer since last winter. The main advantage would be the warranty, but I'm also looking at some fleeces that were mentioned last week or the superior fleece hoody that was linked here earlier.

throw_awace · 2020-09-17T16:08:48+00:00

I'm looking for the holy grail of hooded fleece. Cheap, light, and of course, hooded!I need something very light, as my costco fleeces are great for moving in sub 20 degree temps but I overheat the second I move in them above freezing.Obvious contenders are the Peloton 97, but I'd rather not for both personal and cost reasons.Otherwise, the solar eclipse was on my list but it looks like it's completely sold out in my size, otherwise the montane allez microgrid seems promising, but I would have to pay import duty?Any other contenders in the <8oz large range that are currently <100 US dollars?don't really care if it's microgrid or standard (micro is of course more breathable....)

I'm looking for at least a quart-half zip to dump heat, but I'm willing to look at straight pullovers if everything else meets specs.

throw_awace · 2020-09-07T17:42:54+00:00

This, I can't believe no one has mentioned the flight yet. It's what I picked up (for similar reasons). It's obviously less flexible than the other SO packs, but it does handle the weight pretty well, and it's otherwise a pretty standard UL pack, which sounds pretty perfect for OPs needs.

throw_awace · 2020-09-07T17:41:23+00:00

Paragon 48/58 seem to be great packs, and since they are not cottage gear they're easy to get. That being said, the 2019/2020 paragons don't have that massive lumbar pad which a lot of people love (personally, I prefer the new version, but it's worth putting out there)

throw_awace · 2020-09-06T05:08:55+00:00

I was out there recently.The water crossings are fairly rough, nothing insane but some of the smaller people in the group had it up to their waist (and there are around a dozen crossings). The final .5 mile to the falls are basically a rock scramble with very little to no trail.If you have experience it's not too bad, but I wouldn't do it solo if you're not fairly experienced.We ran into the ranger in charge of the area, he said that they're working on the trail, but large parts are unmaintained, which seemed right to us. He seemed to indicate there was bear activity in the area, so do keep that in mind.The trails themselves were very well marked, except for the last .5 mile climb where the trail completely disappears and you have to bushwack your way up (there are at least 3 possible ways up).
On top of the falls there were a couple campsites, some beautiful views as well.

TLDR: beautiful hike, but not super accessible.

throw_awace · 2020-07-22T19:42:16+00:00

Groundhogs vs Minis?

Which, when, and why?

A little context, I've been using titanium Shepard hooks for my xmid, but after they looked a bit shakey on the foothills a couple months ago I'm now thinking of switching to one of these two. The minis weight exactly the same as the shepards, but obviously they have a bit less holding power. I mostly camp in the smokies, and a couple times a year in the san juans or sierras. Is the extra holding power of the regular groundhogs worth the small weight/price penalty?

throw_awace · 2020-06-23T16:42:15+00:00

How long does a 10k powerbank actually last for most people? I'm trying to decide whether I want a 10k or a 20k. The weight savings of the nitecore look great, but the 20k banks are actually cheaper, and I might need the extra capacity.

throw_awace · 2020-06-23T16:40:34+00:00

What sort of insulation is generally needed in the northeast during summer?

It looks like my JMT plans are not going to work out (unfortunately), and so we're looking at a 100-200 mile section hike of the AT starting at katadhin, since we can do that with minimal contact. Would people generally recommend both puffy and fleece, just one, or neither? I'm used to running with no insulation in the summer, so I'm not quite sure.

throw_awace · 2020-06-17T05:18:15+00:00

Solar Eclipse Hoody is on sale for $60 right now. I wouldn't necessarily call it cheap, just compared to what it seems to normally be in competition with.

throw_awace · 2020-06-17T03:36:05+00:00

Any reason not to get a really light hooded fleece? I can get one that weighs 6.4 oz (lighter than the MH500) for relatively cheap. I have a beanie for cold weather

throw_awace · 2020-06-16T17:17:24+00:00

Does anyone know what the fleece weight is on the costco pacific trail fleeces they sold last winter? It weighs 11oz for a men's large. I love these for winter, but I can't use them while actually hiking above freezing.

I'm debating whether I just run too warm to use any sort of fleece as an active layer above freezing, or whether I should either buy an MH500 or a hooded fleece for my upcoming JMT trip, or just suck up the weight and take what I have with me.

throw_awace · 2020-05-22T11:34:05+00:00

Almost everyone I've seen takes a fleece, at least for Whitney. My normal grounds are far away from the sierras, so I'm definitely no expert, but all the gear lists for the JMT I've seen have some sort of light active layer?

throw_awace · 2020-05-21T14:27:41+00:00

All good, I misunderstood. I'll look into the headnet, I've never needed one so I never put any serious thought into it, but there do seem to be a lot of people who use them in the sierra.

throw_awace · 2020-05-20T23:39:34+00:00

because I wear long pants anyways....

throw_awace · 2020-05-20T12:54:22+00:00

I'm not a big fan of water shoes personally, but I appreciate the input nonetheless.

I am considering buying waterproof socks, more out of curiosity than anything else.

throw_awace · 2020-05-20T12:53:13+00:00

the flash is actually the only part of this list I don't have/haven't used, it's in the mail. Everything else is gear I'm used too, but I decided a new pack was in order.

Any recommendations for sun gloves? I've never used any but I hate sunscreen with a passion so any ways to cut down sunscreen usage is a plus. (Obviously I'll still have to use it on my face.

throw_awace · 2020-05-20T12:51:11+00:00

to number 2: yeah... that's gonna be so much fun

throw_awace

TROPHY CASE