Jetboil Helios Stove in the Caucasus Mountains

Jetboil Helios Stove in the Caucasus Mountains

Jetboil Helios Cooking System

June 8, 2010

Picture shows the Jetboil Helios Stove in action just outside my tent vestibule, with Ushba in the background. Caucasus Range, Russia.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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SealLine Kodiak Taper

SealLine Kodiak Taper Dry Bag

SealLine Kodiak Taper Dry Bag

Rating for this product: 5 June 16, 2012

These bags are great to keep your gear dry while maximizing the awkward spaces in the tips of your kayak. I have a Necky Looksha 14, and use a 20L bag in the front, a 35L wide in the back (barely fits through the hatch).

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Necky Looksha 14 with Rudder

Necky Looksha 14 Kayak with Rudder

Necky Looksha 14 Kayak with Rudder

Rating for this product: 5 June 16, 2012

The Necky Looksha is a great kayak for stability, speed, and steering control. I have paddled it on lakes as well as easy rivers (class 1 and 2), and the rudder makes tracking easy with or without a current. The cockpit is roomy but not too big, and the included seat is very comfortable. A really nice feature is the drink holder between the legs.

There are two hatches which hold a surprising amount of cargo, especially if combined with a taper style dry bag. The neoprene hatch covers are difficult to put on until you get used to it. I found that pulling outwards while stretching the cover helps prevent it from slipping off the hatch rim. There is also room for a 10-15L dry bag in the cockpit behind the seat.

The kayak arrives protected in cardboard, plastic wrap, and foam at the ends. The rudder is not installed on arrival, which is good to prevent damage. It is very easy to install, just requiring an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Metolius Offset Master Cam

Metolius Offset Master Cam

Metolius Offset Master Cam

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

I was really excited when these cams hit the market, since the CCH offsets had become pretty much impossible to find. I picked up a #00/0 through a #2/3, with the middle two sizes of this range being the most useful. Having the offset cam on your rack can make a pin scar placement secure, or get you past an otherwise sketchy placement with a standard cam. The oval shaped thumb loop works great for clipping in short when aid climbing too.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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BD Dynex Runner

Black Diamond Dynex Sewn Runners

Black Diamond Dynex Sewn Runners

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

I think Black Diamond got the width of these slings just right. There are others that are even skinnier, but also many much wider. The 60cm is my most used size, which works great for tripling up in an alpine draw, or as an over the shoulder sling. A few 120cm are also useful for super long runners when you have to place a cam way back in a crack or chimney.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Metolius Master Cam

Metolius Master Cam

Metolius Master Cam

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

The Master cam is always my go to small cam of choice, especially once the old CCH aliens became scarce. I find the #00 (gray) to #3 (orange) to be the most useful sizes. Particularly the #1 and #2 get placed all the time. Even the #0 and #00 are confidence inspiring when in a good placement. The #3 starts to overlap with other common cams, like the .5 BD Camalot, but is useful due to being a different shape. The oval shaped loop that makes up the thumb catch is great for clipping in short when aid climbing.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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BD Hoodwire

Black Diamond HoodWire Quickpack

Black Diamond HoodWire Quickpack

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

I finally decided to replace some of my quickdraws which I've been using since the mid-90s. The Hoodwires are a great quickdraw, which are surprisingly lightweight, and have a large gate opening. The actual "hood wire" is a unique feature as well, which act like a keylock for snag prevention, but with the benefits of a wire gate.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Bath in a Bag

Adventure Medical Fresh Bath Body Wipes

Adventure Medical Fresh Bath Body Wipes

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

After a long day of climbing, hiking, paddling, or any other sport, it is great to clean up with one of these wipes! The large size is ample to clean up pretty well with a single wipe. Good for camping, adventure travel, or any situation where a shower is far away.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Pelican Case

Pelican Micro Case

Pelican Micro Case

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

For items that truly need to stay dry, a Pelican case does the trick. The other main feature is to prevent crushing important items, and to add a little shock absorption. Useful for small electronics, wallet, keys, and a med kit.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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NRS Boat Sponge

NRS Boat Sponges

NRS Boat Sponges

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

It's a sponge... nothing too exciting here. But worth bringing along, for a quick way to get extra water out of the cockpit, since it is very absorbent. With a water source to clean the sponge, it can also be used to quickly clean out mud and dirt.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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GSI Percolator

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Percolator

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Percolator

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

I've used this percolator about a dozen times now. The rubber handle is a key feature, to keep from burning your hands when the coffee is ready. Also a nice feature is that simple instructions are included, with how much coffee to add and how long to percolate. Cleanup is easy.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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BD Storm

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

For such a small headlamp, this really puts out a good beam of light. Great for when your adventures run long, or start early. It does feel a good bit heavier than other small LED headlamps that I've used in the past, but I think that is mostly due to the extra batter (4 AAA).

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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OR Double Dry

Outdoor Research Double Dry Window Sack

Outdoor Research Double Dry Window Sack

Rating for this product: 5 May 8, 2012

This is a great dry bag. The window is very useful when you are looking for a specific item in a pile of dry bags that all look alike. There is also a closure within the main compartment, which allows you to partition day use items separate from less frequently needed things.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

A nice lantern for adding some light to a campsite or tent, and turning off headlamps for a while. The orientation of the lantern is important, with the most light being given off when it is above your line of sight. I found that the two folding metal pieces that make up the handle can be hooked to the top loop of the tent for an overhead light.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Keen Venice Sandals

KEEN Venice H2 Sandal - Men's

KEEN Venice H2 Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

This pair of Keen sandals is great for a day on the river. The toe box keeps your toes safe when pushing off, or taking an unexpected swim. And the closure system is a drawcord, which works much better than velcro over time. The open air water shoes keep your feet cool. Brindle color looks great too.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Werner Skagit Paddle

Werner Skagit FG IM 2-Piece Paddle - Fiberglass Blades/Straight Shaft

Werner Skagit FG IM 2-Piece Paddle - Fiberglass Blades/Straight Shaft

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

Very nice basic paddle. The two piece design allows for offsetting the blades to different angles, at various degrees in either direction. And a view finder tells you the exact angle offset. Even though there are many lighter paddles out there, this paddle still feels lightweight even after a long day of paddling. And the drip rings will help to divert water away from you.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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NRS Boaters Gloves

NRS Boaters Glove

NRS Boaters Glove

Rating for this product: 4 May 5, 2012

Nice gloves, but I ended up returning them to exchange for the full fingered NRS Rafters Gloves. Both are mostly the same design, but I found the half fingers to be a little uncomfortable for me.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Classic Nalgene

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

I've been using the wide mouth Nalgene bottles for a couple of decades now, and they are always great. They hold abuse well, and have been up many climbs and walls with me. No problem to add boiling water, which can be used for extra warmth in the sleeping bag on very cold nights. Another nice feature is that many water filters attach directly to the threads for easy pumping. And when cooking, the measurements come in handy when trying to add 2 cups to that freeze dried meal.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Camelbak Better Bottle

CamelBak Better Bottle - Stainless Steel - .75L

CamelBak Better Bottle - Stainless Steel - .75L

Rating for this product: 4 May 5, 2012

Nice bottle for one handed drinking. A straw inside allows for sipping water without tipping the bottle. The bottle does seem to leak a little when on its side and jostled around a bit. Better to keep it upright.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Stanley Water Bottle

Stanley Nineteen13 1-Handed Water Bottle - 24oz

Stanley Nineteen13 1-Handed Water Bottle - 24oz

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

Great water bottle for one-handed drinking. The tab on top of the bottle rests between your thumb and fore finger, and the button on the opposite side is pushed to start the water flowing. The bottle is very lightweight too.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima Lock Cores

Yakima SKS Lock Cores - 12 pack

Yakima SKS Lock Cores - 12 pack

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

These are an important add on to any Yakima racking system. Four cores are needed to lock down a RailGrab tower to start off with. After that, it is often useful to have at least 4 more to lock down other racks on to the rails. Getting a larger set could be worth it for future expansion or for multiple cars, if you want to keep the same lock for all cores.

Installation (and removal) just takes a few seconds per core. There is a key unique to the lock, as well as a control key which allows the lock to be removed if needed, after unlocking it.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima Mako Aero Saddles

Yakima Mako Aero Saddles

Yakima Mako Aero Saddles

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

The Mako Aero saddle clamps on to most kinds of bars, and the installation is easy. They are sold in a pair, but two pairs are needed to carry one kayak. One for the front bar, and one for the back.

There are also some nice extras included in the box. There is a tie-down strap with rubber covering the cam buckle, which protects both your boat and the roof of your car. Also included is a bow or stern tie-down which hooks the end of your boat to the car's tow hitch. And each saddle comes with optional felt padding, to protect the boat. I found that with the included straps, nothing additional was needed to secure a kayak.

I've tried both the Mako saddle and the Mako Aero saddle. The main difference is the Mako Aero is compatible with more kinds of bars, such as the Whispbar. Also, the Mako Aero is compatible with a locking core, which isn't available for the regular Mako.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima Mako Saddles

Yakima Mako Saddles

Yakima Mako Saddles

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

The Mako saddle clamps on to a round or square bar. I installed them on a round bar, but there are little plastic tabs that can be removed which make it compatible with a square bar too. Installation is easy, with no tools required. Brackets are first snapped on to the bar, then the saddles are attached with a bolt and wingnut. Due to no necessary tools, it is also easy to make adjustments while on the road.

The Mako are sold in a pair, but two pairs are needed to carry one kayak. One for the front bar, and one for the back. I bought four pairs to carry two kayaks. I tested travel up to 80mph with two kayaks, and they held solid.

There are also some nice extras included in the box. There is a tie-down strap with rubber covering the cam buckle, which protects both your boat and the roof of your car. Also included is a bow or stern tie-down which hooks the end of your boat to the car's tow hitch. And each saddle comes with optional felt padding, to protect the boat. I found that with the included straps, nothing additional was needed to secure a kayak.

One thing to note is that these saddles are not compatible with a locking core. If a lock is needed, or if attaching to a Whispbar, then look at the Yakima Mako Aero saddles instead.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima End Caps

Yakima Bar End Caps - Set of 4

Yakima Bar End Caps - Set of 4

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

These do what they say. Also included with the Yakima Railgrab Towers, so no need for a pair if you are also picking up the towers.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima RoundBar

Yakima 58 Inch Round Bar - 1 Pair

Yakima 58 Inch Round Bar - 1 Pair

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

I installed the 58" bar on my Subaru Outback. The length sticks out a few inches past the side of the car, but never seems to get in the way. The extra length was perfect for carrying two touring kayaks side by side.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Yakima Railgrab

Yakima RailGrab Tower - Set of 4

Yakima RailGrab Tower - Set of 4

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

These towers do just what the name suggests, grab on to your factory rails. I added them to a Subaru Outback. Installation was straight forward, with the required Allen wrench included. To install, there first is a height adjustment, then a bolt to tighten to grab the rail, and another bolt to tighten to clamp down on the bar. End caps are included, so no need to buy extras. Pick up a round bar and some locking cores, and the system is ready for a rack.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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NRS Gloves

NRS Rafters Glove

NRS Rafters Glove

Rating for this product: 5 May 5, 2012

I have been prone to getting blisters in the past, but not with these gloves. Paddling for hours and my hands still feel great. The palm is a synthetic leather with good articulated movement. Back of the hand is a thin spandex, which keeps your hands cool, but protects from the sun. Gloves seemed true to size, with no hot spots.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Merrell Refuge Core Ventilator

Merrell Refuge Core Ventilator - Men's

Merrell Refuge Core Ventilator - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 1, 2012

Just breaking in my first pair of Merrell hiking shoes after mostly wearing Vasque and Montrail for the last decade or so. Good performance for day hikes, with a sturdy vibram sole and mesh ventilation. So far the shoe has been very comfortable, with no hot spots. I wear them all over, from hiking and climbing, and even to the office. The quality seems good, with stitching that can handle scree and talus.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Metolius Personal Anchor

Metolius Personal Anchor System w/out Carabiner

Metolius Personal Anchor System w/out Carabiner

Rating for this product: 5 May 1, 2012

I have been climbing for many years where I anchored in with a combination of clove hitches or standard daisies. I recently tried out a personal anchor system, and am very happy I did. It is very quick to make length adjustments, and more foolproof than working with a daisy. It is also easy to clip it into a harness gear loop so that it won't get in your way while climbing.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Columbia Roc Pants

Columbia Roc Pant - Men's

Columbia Roc Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 May 1, 2012

The Columbia Roc is a good pair of casual pants for around town or traveling. The material is soft and very comfortable cotton. These pants are slow to dry, so hiking isn't the best use for them. I would prefer it if the sizing was a little less baggy.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain Khakis

Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pant - Men's

Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 May 1, 2012

I had a similar experience to several other reviewers here. The sizing wasn't quite right, so I ended up returning the pants. Seems like it would be better to size down from your normal pant size. The material looked nice though, so I definitely wish they would have worked out.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Rampart Pant

Arc'teryx Rampart Pant - Men's

Arc'teryx Rampart Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 March 18, 2012

I bought a pair of these pants, mostly for traveling. The fit is the usual excellent cut from Arc'teryx, and allow for a full range of motion for climbing and hiking. They also lightweight, pack down into a really small size, and dry quickly after washing.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Nalgene - a classic

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Rating for this product: 5 March 18, 2012

A few of these bottles go on just about every outdoor trip I do. The taste of flavored drinks doesn't linger after being washed. The bottle also takes abuse well, and can hold up just fine with boiling water. Also, many water filters will screw directly on the threads, making it easy to pump water.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Patagonia Lightweight Hiking Sock

Patagonia Lightweight Merino Hiking Crew Sock

Patagonia Lightweight Merino Hiking Crew Sock

Rating for this product: 5 March 18, 2012

I really like these socks. They fit snugly with a good cut, and are really comfortable. I've tried both the Forest Glen and the Forge Grey, and both look great.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Oz Carabiner

Black Diamond Oz Carabiner

Black Diamond Oz Carabiner

Rating for this product: 5 March 18, 2012

The Oz is a great biner for racking gear and for lightweight quickdraws. The biner is a good size, similar to the Neutrino. A full rack of the Oz would be great for saving weight and pack space on the approach, and making the lead rack (particularly for a large aid climbing rack) much lighter.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL - great jacket!

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded Down Jacket - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded Down Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

I recently picked up the Sub Zero SL jacket, and I love it so far. I also have the Absolute Zero jacket, but that is too much bulk and warmth for most uses (bought for a Denali climb). This is a great compromise for an extremely warm jacket that's burly in the mountains, and stuffs quite small. It also works well in town, since it isn't overly puffy. As far as the size, the jacket extends to right around my hip bones. The hood detaches making it more versatile, but the hood zipper is behind the collar, so no need to worry about drafts. Another feature that I was pleasantly surprised about is that there is a water bottle stash pocket to keep drinks from freezing, and a zippered interior pocket for snacks. There is also ample room for layering underneath and actually zipping up with that water bottle.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Nice pants, very big

The North Face Paramount Convertible Pant - Men's

The North Face Paramount Convertible Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 3 January 15, 2010

I recently bought a pair of North Face Paramount pants, but I ended up returning them. They are made of very nice material, look great, and the built in belt is useful. However, I found them longer than the expected size, a bit wide in the waist, and very baggy. I'd recommend these for anyone who likes more roomy pants.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Arc'Teryx makes the best pants

Arc'teryx Spotter Pant - Men's

Arc'teryx Spotter Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

This is my new favorite pair of pants, although Arc'Teryx always makes a great pair of pants. They are extremely comfortable, and have an athletic cut. For me, they seem true to size, smaller than many other manufacturers. The bamboo color looks great.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx R320 Rock Climbing Harness - Men's

Arc'teryx R320 Rock Climbing Harness - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 November 13, 2009

I've been using this harness for a few months, and I have mixed feelings about it. I would describe it mostly as a sport harness, which doesn't work as well for trad/aid/ice. The leg loops are quite snug on me, and I have a moderate to small build. On the positive side, this harness is extremely light and packs smaller than any other I've seen. This would make it a good harness for summer alpine routes (winter alpine/ice climbing wouldn't work well with the tight non-adjustable leg loops). The WST fabric does do a good job of distributing the weight, so it is pretty comfortable. One other weight saver is there is no load bearing loop on the back for taglines - there is just a little plastic loop big enough for a biner. The self-locking buckle is great, it makes it very fast and easy to adjust the harness.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Sorel Caribou

Sorel Caribou Wool Boot - Men's

Sorel Caribou Wool Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 13, 2009

These boots are a classic. I bought a pair mostly for shoveling and snowblowing to keep toasty. They have good traction, and are high enough to keep out the snow. They'd be good for a moderate non-technical winter hike too, or with snowshoes.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Nice, but sizes big

KUHL Thor Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Men's

KUHL Thor Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 November 13, 2009

I ordered one of these sweatshirts, and it looked really nice. I like the style, with a sweater like appearance plus a hood. It is pretty bulky and very warm. In the end, I had to return it because it sizes quite large. I generally wear a medium, and it seemed more like a large to me.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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North Face Dogpatch

The North Face Dogpatch Pant - Men's

The North Face Dogpatch Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 13, 2009

These pants are pretty nice. The best part about them is they are very soft and comfortable. These are good casual work pants, and also good climbing/hiking pants.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Sorel Slippers

Sorel Falcon Ridge Slipper - Men's

Sorel Falcon Ridge Slipper - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 November 13, 2009

I got these slippers a few weeks ago, and they are very comfortable. The black slippers have a gray interior, not as white as pictured. They fit pretty true to size, and are quite snug. I wear a size 9.5, and the 10 fits nice. The wool does pack out a little bit after wearing them for a while.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Montrail Hardrocks rock

Montrail Hardrock '09 Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Montrail Hardrock '09 Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 August 11, 2009

The Hardrock trail runners are really a great shoe. I recently used these on a week long mountaineering/backpacking trip where I logged about 75 miles, with terrain up to low 5th class. These shoes are really breathable with the mesh uppers, and have a thick sole for comfort. With a week of mileage I didn't get any blisters or tender spots in my foot.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Gu Chomps are tasty

GU Chomps Energy Chews 16-Pack

GU Chomps Energy Chews 16-Pack

Rating for this product: 5 August 1, 2009

I just recently tried Gu Chomps as an alternative to regular Gu, and it's nice to have some variety. Just like Gu packets, these are easy to eat quickly for convenient calories. I like them for climbing and mountaineering, since they stash in a pocket easily and you don't have to worry about them exploding in a squeeze chimney. Each package has 8 pieces and just shy of 200 calories. I've only tried the Orange flavor and it tastes good.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Metolius Master Cam - Great

Metolius Master Cam DO NOT USE

Metolius Master Cam DO NOT USE

Rating for this product: 5 February 2, 2009

I bought a few of these cams last year to augment my older set of CCH Aliens. I've only used the blue and orange sizes (#1 and #3) so far, and they are very similar to their predecessor. As before, they have an internal spring which gives them a narrow head width. The action is pretty smooth, but maybe has more resistance than many other cams. The thumb loop is a generous size, and is easy to clip a biner into when aiding. I've been psyched for the kevlar cord in the cam heads, because the thin wire used in Aliens always got bent in weird directions, making the action much worse. My only gripe is the color coding. I think they are matched to the Metolius TCUs instead of the CCH Aliens (which probably makes sense). This gets confusing when having both on the same rack. But if you already have TCUs, then this would be a good feature.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Patagonia Stand Up Pant

Patagonia Stand Up Pant - Men's

Patagonia Stand Up Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 2, 2009

These pants are great. The cotton canvas material looks good, and is very durable. There is ample pocket space, with two good sized pockets in front, two huge pockets in back, plus a smaller wallet sized pocket. Without the cargo look, these pants are good for work in a casual dress environment, and also good for climbing/hiking.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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DMM Alloy Offsets

DMM Alloy Offsets

DMM Alloy Offsets

Rating for this product: 5 February 2, 2009

I was so glad to see these nuts come back on the market in 2008. The aluminum offsets are invaluable on desert sandstone climbs. They are an important part of the rack on most Zion aid walls, making an otherwise sketchy placement bomber. They're also great on free climbs, and often replace stoppers/rocks for me. I'm surprised by how much even the largest size is useful. The anodized color coding is a nice touch too.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Petzl Ecrin Roc - Like a Rock

Petzl Ecrin Roc Climbing Helmet

Petzl Ecrin Roc Climbing Helmet

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

I've owned a couple of these helmets over the years. They are bomb proof, and will keep your nogin safe. There are ample ventilation holes on the sides, combined with a light color like white will keep your head cool. The binding system is really easy, and adjusts for different sized heads or for wearing a hat within a few seconds.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Petzl Spirit - smooth action

Petzl Spirit Carabiner

Petzl Spirit Carabiner

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The Petzl Spirit is one of my favorite biners, and the best non-wire gate biner I've used. It has really smooth action, and a keylock gate. The keylock gate is good for racking stoppers, since the wire won't caught on the gate when selecting a nut. The spirit is a mid-sized biner, with a good sized gate opening and is fairly light weight.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Black Diamond Quicksilver - great biner

Black Diamond Quicksilver Screwgate Carabiner

Black Diamond Quicksilver Screwgate Carabiner

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

This is a great biner, especially for the price. It is a smaller sized locking biner, and weighs much less than most. However, I don't use it much in anchor systems because of the smaller gate opening. It works well for a personal anchoring biner, or for use with a grigri.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Petzl Ascension - a classic

Petzl Ascension Handled Ascender

Petzl Ascension Handled Ascender

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

This ascender is rock solid. It has a very comfortable ergonomic grip, which really matters on a long big wall. The thumb catch is easy to operate with one hand, to either release the teeth for sliding it up the rope, or for completely removing the ascender (important for being able to pass a piece). For anchoring this to yourself, there is either a hole big enough to clip a biner into, or a smaller hole which can take pre-tied cord. I've used this ascender on dry, wet, and icy ropes, and it held well in all 3 conditions. For traverses, I like to use these in combination with a grigri.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Black Diamond Nylon Sewn Runners

Black Diamond Nylon Sewn Runners

Black Diamond Nylon Sewn Runners

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

These are good cheap runners. Nothing special about them, but they are solid and take abuse well. They work well in anchors systems, or to triple up to use as a runner in a quickdraw.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest - simple and effective

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Sleeping Pad

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

This is a good simple pad. It is a bit bulky, but rolls up and clips easily to the outside of a pack. If space is a consideration, then check out an air pad. A foam pad is really useful for any terrain that has a lot of sharp objects like prickly plants or rocks. It also works well for camping on snow if combined with an air pad. The foam pad on the bottom keeps everything warmer, since air pads get really cold on snow.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Montrail Hardrock - great

Montrail Hardrock Trail Running Shoe - Mens

Montrail Hardrock Trail Running Shoe - Mens

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The Hardrock is a very comfortable shoe. I have relatively narrow feet, but also have a friend with wide feet who likes them. They have a thick comfortable sole, which has kept my feet feeling good on trail runs or hikes up to 30 miles. The sole isn't very grippy, and I've found they don't work all that well for scrambling and boulder hopping. But on the trail they are awesome. Also, I wish they had a pull tab for putting the shoes on.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Black Diamond Rocklock - solid

Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate Carabiner

Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate Carabiner

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The rocklock is a good 'beiner. It has good action, a wide gate, and a keylock. This combination is great for a belay 'beiner, or for use in an anchor.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Edelweiss Torrent - Strong

Edelweiss Torrent  10.5mm Rope - Dry

Edelweiss Torrent 10.5mm Rope - Dry

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The Torrent, like all the other Edelweiss ropes I've used, is a great rope. It's heavy duty, and is probably best suited for longer trad routes, aid climbing, and big walls. It also would be good for sport if weight isn't a factor since it will hold a ton of whippers. I particular like using this rope for towers and walls when I need to jug, since the sheath seems to hold up to the abuse better then most other ropes.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket - Awesome

Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The Phantom Jacket is one of my favorites pieces of gear I own. It is ultra lightweight at less than a pound. Since it is so light, I bring it if there is any question that it might be cold. It makes a great belay jacket or camping jacket. It also stuffs into a very small stuff sack for easy stowage.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Black Diamond Neutrino Rackpack - Useful

Black Diamond Neutrino Rackpack - 6 Pack

Black Diamond Neutrino Rackpack - 6 Pack

Rating for this product: 5 September 16, 2008

The Neutrino is a lightweight biner, which is useful for shedding off the ounces from a heavy trad or aid rack. With the rack pack, the matching colors for the corresponding C4s is surprisingly useful when making a quick grab for a cam. It wouldn't seem like a big deal, but on a large rack where it is difficult to see which biner is hooked to what cam, it helps to identify the size you need quickly. The gray and green colors are pretty subtly different then the standard neutrino, especially after some abuse, so they aren't as easy to pick out.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Edelweiss Torrent 10.5mm Rope - Dry

September 14, 2008

Yes.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Petzl Ascension Handled Ascender

September 14, 2008

This is my favorite ascender that I have used. I've also tried the BD nForce and the classic Jumar. Both of those are solid ascenders too, but the Petzl feels best to me.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Vasque Mantra - good shoes

Vasque Mantra GTX Hiking Shoe - Men's

Vasque Mantra GTX Hiking Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 September 8, 2008

I've worn about a dozen pairs of Vasque shoes over the last decade, and I keep coming back. They have a good grippy sole for scrambling, and are comfortable even for very long hikes. I bought them in the spring and did a lot of hiking/running in them on wet trails, and my feet kept dry.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Love GU Energy Gels

GU Energy Gel - 24 Pack

GU Energy Gel - 24 Pack

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

I've tried most of the energy gel brands, and GU is by far my favorite. It has a good consistency, and isn't overly sweet like some other brands. It is much easier to eat a GU every hour while on a trail run, hike, or climb then it is to try to stomach a bar. My favorite flavors are Vanilla Bean, Just Plain, and Lemon Sublime. Some of the others are palatable too. The chocolate flavor is a bit much unless you really like chocolate.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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GU20 - good energy, not great taste

GU GU2O Sports Drink - 2lb Canister

GU GU2O Sports Drink - 2lb Canister

Rating for this product: 4 September 8, 2008

This drink is good for keeping the electrolytes replenished and also some liquid energy. But I find the taste to be marginal at best, although I've only tried the orange flavor. It is not sweet enough for my palate, so I had to add sugar, which made it taste pretty good. The gels taste much better.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Cytomax - best sports drink

Cytosport Cytomax Sport Energy Drink

Cytosport Cytomax Sport Energy Drink

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

Cytomax is a great sports drink. It is not overly sweet tasting, but is really tasty. I had this as a treat every few days on a multi-week backpack, and looked forward to it every time. I've only had the grape flavor, but I imagine other flavors are good too. It also full of electrolytes to prevent cramping.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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ProBar Koka Moka - heavy duty

ProBar Koka Moka - Box of 12

ProBar Koka Moka - Box of 12

Rating for this product: 3 September 8, 2008

I've tried a few different flavors of ProBars, and they are all a bit hard core for me. I feel good after eating one, since it is packed with lots of healthy raw ingredients, but I find it hard to eat. They are really high calorie for an energy bar, which I like on long days. Each bar has close to 400 calories, compared to around 300 for a Clif bar.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain House Bacon and Eggs - Tasty

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs with Bacon - Breakfast Entree

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs with Bacon - Breakfast Entree

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

These eggs are surprisingly good. They have a slightly odd consistency, but so do all eggs that have been dehydrated. They are a welcome change after oatmeal of cold cereal on an extended backpack.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain House Chicken Stew - great!

Mountain House Chicken Stew - 2 Serving Entree

Mountain House Chicken Stew - 2 Serving Entree

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

Mountain House makes the best dehydrated meals of any brand I've tried. They are consistently lightweight (around 5oz), and always are simple to make. This one is prepared as almost all are, with 2 cups of boiling water reconstituting the meal for around 10 minutes. After that, dinner is server, and tastes great after a long day.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Mountain House Lasagna - awesome

Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce - 2 Serving Entree

Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce - 2 Serving Entree

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

The lasagna is one of my 2 or 3 favorite dehydrated meals I've tried. It is lightweight, and only requires 2 cups of hot water to make. Cooks right in the pouch, with no extra steps. Tastes really great after a long day.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Outdoor Research PL 400 - really warm gloves

Outdoor Research PL 400 Glove - Men's

Outdoor Research PL 400 Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

I bought these for a recent trip to Denali, and was really pleased with them. They have a grippy palm, which is good for handling an ice axe or fiddling with climbing gear. They're surprisingly warm considering how thin they are. I wore them until about 16,000 feet before needing to switch into a shelled glove for more warmth. Also, they layer nicely under a heavy duty mitten for when you need to take the mitten off for dexterity. Another nice feature is that they clip together when not in use, which helps keep from losing them.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero Down Pants

Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Down Pant - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Down Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 8, 2008

I bought these pants for a recent trip to Denali, and they didn't disappoint. They are incredibly warm, and are great for hanging around camp and making your partners jealous. I don't use them much while climbing because I stay warm from all the heat generated from movement. When I have worn them though, they're easy to take on and off with the side zips. The suspenders make them bib-like, and combined with a jacket with a draw string waist it makes a pretty good seal from the elements.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Highly Recommended

GoLite VO24 Backpack - 1500 cu in

GoLite VO24 Backpack - 1500 cu in

Rating for this product: 5 August 9, 2008

This pack is great for light and fast one day outings. I use it for trail running and climbing mountains. There is plenty of room for at least a gallon of water, a jacket or two, and food. The hydration pouch is a bit small, but a 2-liter bladder can be crammed into it. The hip belt pouches are handy for keys, sunscreen, and power snacks. The ice axe loops might be nice, but the pack is probably a bit too small for any outing requiring axes. The only improvements I would ask for is to lose the tow loop (seems useless), and have a more secure closure system for the back pouch, like a zipper. Overall, I'm very pleased with it, and it is holding up well even after squeezing through some chimneys.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Very Comfortable

Teva Terra Fi II Sandal - Men's

Teva Terra Fi II Sandal - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 August 9, 2008

These are probably the most comfortable pair of sandals I have owned. Under the webbing straps, there is a layer of foam attached that is wider and distributes the pressure from the strap. The soles are also super grippy.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Good Approach Shoe

La Sportiva Exum Ridge Shoe - Men's

La Sportiva Exum Ridge Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 August 9, 2008

I've owned these shoes for about a month, and have been very pleased so far. They are excellent on class 3 scrambling through lower 5th class rock. The top of the shoe is a breathable mesh, which helps with comfort during summer. They do get wet easy in fairly shallow water, but they dry quickly with the mesh.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Super Light

MSR Titan Titanium 2 Liter Pot

MSR Titan Titanium 2 Liter Pot

Rating for this product: 5 August 9, 2008

I recently took this on a 16-day backpack, and was happy to shave every ounce I could. I was surprised by how much lighter it was then my MSR alpine pot, which is stainless steel. Probably half the weight or less. The lid has an insulated handle which makes it easy to use. Also, it's a tight squeeze, but an MSR XGK stove stores inside.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Useful Design

Stanley Mug and Bowl

Stanley Mug and Bowl

Rating for this product: 5 August 9, 2008

I took this on a 3 week trip to Denali, and was very pleased with it. It is versatile to use for a drink and a meal, or as an insulated cup. It weighs just a little more than a regular insulated cup would. The outside cup has measurement lines, but the inside cup doesn't.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Great Travel or Expedition Bag

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag - 1525 - 9460cu in

The North Face Base Camp Duffel Bag - 1525 - 9460cu in

Rating for this product: 5 July 22, 2008

I own three of these, the medium, large, and extra large. I bring one of them on most every car or plane trip I take. The medium works well for a weekend winter trip, and holds plenty of clothing, jackets, etc. I've used the large for several trips abroad where I need a durable bag that I can abuse. For the extra large, I've used it on trips to Denali and Aconcagua, and it has held up great while riding on mules or strapped to a sled. Even with plenty of sharp things inside (ice axe, crampons, poles) it shows minimal damage. Some times for airport travel I wish it had an easier way to carry it, but I girth hitch the side strap with a sling and pull it across the slippery airport floors. It has backpack straps, but I'm usually wearing a backpack too.

I also like the construction. The top and sides are made of a durable water resistant material. This helps for leaving it outside in the snow or rain, when it can't fit in the tent. The bottom is a heavy duty cordura, which holds up well.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Awesome shirts

Patagonia A/C Shirt - Short Sleeve - Men's

Patagonia A/C Shirt - Short Sleeve - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 11, 2008

I bought two of these, the Joshua and Braden colors. Both look great, and are good for business casual in warmer summer months.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Good Basic Pant

The North Face Motoring Pant - Men's

The North Face Motoring Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 11, 2008

These pants have a basic design, and look really good. The fabric is very soft, so they were comfortable from the first day I wore them.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Comfortable

Native Eyewear Attack Sunglasses - Polarized

Native Eyewear Attack Sunglasses - Polarized

Rating for this product: 4 July 11, 2008

These sunglasses are very comfortable. They have soft flexible plastic for the points that come into contact with your face - the nose guard, the upper rim (below your eyebrows), and the ear pieces. This definitely makes them feel great. They are a pretty large pair of sunglasses, so I would recommend them for someone with a bigger head.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Awesome

The North Face TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece Pullover - Men's

The North Face TKA 100 Glacier 1/4 Zip Fleece Pullover - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 11, 2008

This fleece pullover is very warm and soft. It does not have a technical cut, but I like it better than my capilene. I also have the TKA 100 pants, which both make great base layers in very cold weather. I've warn them on several peaks in the winter, as well as on Denali.

Nailed It? 1 Yes

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Recommended

The North Face XTC Lightweight Crew - Men's

The North Face XTC Lightweight Crew - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 July 11, 2008

The XTC is a good base layer for skiing and mountaineering. It works well in warmer weather when I have to strip to my base layer, because it has a mesh-like fabric that breathes really well. The light grey color especially works well for this, since it doesn't absorb the sun as much as the black. I wore this thing for 16 days straight earlier this year, and it repelled the stink well.

Nailed It? 4 Yes

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Warm

The North Face Nuptse Winter Bootie - Men's

The North Face Nuptse Winter Bootie - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 July 11, 2008

I bought these booties for around camp use on a trip to Denali. In the end, I couldn't justify bringing them, since my pack already weighed far too much. They do make great use as ultra warm slippers for around the house, and even shoveling the driveway. I'm also planning on bringing them for any future winter camping trip where I stay close to the car.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Jacket for Extreme Cold

Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Down Parka - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Down Parka - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 19, 2008

I took the Absolute Zero jacket to Alaska for a recent trip on Denali. It is a great jacket to stay warm around camp while cooking. Most of the time, this jacket is too warm for wearing while moving. On days where I climbed in it, it has some nice features. There are two internal water bottle pockets, which kept my bottles from freezing (they would have froze in water bottle insulators). When it gets really cold, you can zip the jacket completely and use the cinch straps to protect most of your face. Excellent jacket, even in -20F temps.

Nailed It? 14 Yes

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Simple Design

Black Diamond Powder Baskets - 1 Pair

Black Diamond Powder Baskets - 1 Pair

Rating for this product: 4 June 19, 2008

Great baskets when you are in the deep powder. Easy design to change baskets.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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So comfortable

The North Face TKA 100 Pant - Men's

The North Face TKA 100 Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 19, 2008

This fleece underlayer is very soft and warm. They're not cut for performance fit - instead they are a bitter looser fitting, with no elastic around the ankle area. I used them as part of a layering system in very cold weather, down to -20F. And most impressive was that even after 16 days of continual use, they kept the smell at bay.

Nailed It? 2 Yes

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Great Pad

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4 Sleeping Pad

Rating for this product: 5 June 19, 2008

This is a good choice for backpacking, very lightweight. For packing, I fold it in half before rolling, and it takes up very little room in the pack.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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Great Bottle

Nalgene Lexan Wide Mouth Water Bottle - 32oz  Do Not use

Nalgene Lexan Wide Mouth Water Bottle - 32oz Do Not use

Rating for this product: 5 June 19, 2008

If there is a piece of gear that comes with me for everything, this would be it. Lexan is very durable, surviving a few accidental falls off of cliffs on my trips. It also is good for holding boiling water, where some other water bottles become misshapen and even leak.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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versatile shirt

Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip Tee L/S - Men's

Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip Tee L/S - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 1, 2004

Wear this shirt anytime, anywhere -- 30 degrees running, 60 degrees lounging. It looks great and feels great any way you use it.

Nailed It? 0 Yes

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