Critique my mountaineering layering system
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I have done beginner mountaineering trips and I want to take the next step to hitting a lot of the 14ers in the Sierra Nevada over the next few years. |
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Where is your chocolate pudding layer? |
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What seasons are you looking to do CA 14'ers? |
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NorCalNomad wrote:What seasons are you looking to do CA 14'ers?Whitney Mountaineering Route in winter Mount Sill Swiss Arete in summer Easier 14ers in early spring No full out winter ascents at the moment. |
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I like a flece vest, either medium wieght or thicker depending on the ocnditions. It adds a lot of warmth without any notcieable restrictions. |
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You might want to check out a guide site like international mountain guides and see how your gear matches up vs. their gear list for the whitney climb they guide. Balaclava might be good to keep the wind off your face on Whitney. |
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+1 on the balaclava. I've found that sometimes the R1 and jacket hoods aren't enough to keep my head (read ears) warm. Also, it's nice to sleep in, no surprise brusts of cold air on my neck or face when I roll around! |
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Number and weight of layers looks about right. |
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Hmmm... |
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I'm 6'5" so wearing gaiters in snow is a necessity as pants never go up to a 36" inseam. I recently purchased a MH buff that turns into a balaclava for summer use and I also have a fleece MH balaclava that used to join me on trips before I purchased the R1 Hoody. |
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randy88fj62 wrote:I like the idea of a lightweight fleece vest.Go with polypro..if you can find one the Cloudveil wister vest is great. I don't know why people still buy fleece other than to use around town. It's heavy, dries slow, doesn't breath as well etc. Any polypro material beats the pants (pun intended) off fleece. |
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All good reasons Randy! That's why I said - take with a grain of salt. I think you probably have a good enough system. I've gotten a lot out of reducing my kit. I've reduced a great deal of weight over the years and can do a 4 day trip on Rainier under 40 lbs (not counting the rope) so I feel pretty good about what I've done. |
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For the most part, I've gone to full merino for any base or mid layer. Just like it better. It takes a LONG time to to figure out your best layering systems for various situations. Looks like you have a good start on basic pieces. One thing to keep in mind is bulk. I HATE bulky short of a micro puff vest. Some thing to keep in mind to stay warm... it's all about the core, and the head. You keep these zones just right and the rest of you will be happy. One rule I go by is to start out almost cold. I tend to run very hot, so if I am warm right out of the chute, I'm done and sweating WAY too fast. Good luck! It really is a life long effort |
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didn't quite understand if you are wearing a short sleeve t-shirt, but in my opinion there is no reason to wear a short sleeve base layer. I like a medium weight baselayer long sleeve shirt, a 1/4 zip fleece (or R1 hoody would be good), and then a down or synthetic sweater followed by a water resistant softshell. None of my layers have a hood because they are expensive, so I use a neck gator and a beanie. |
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Nilas down jacket sounds like overkill. |
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Also instead of a really light wind layer you could get rid of the r1 and get a piton hybird hoody which is basically a wind resistant r1. and a muhc more veristle piece. its like the r1 on crack. |
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I disagree on the down. As a layer... Yes WAY overkill, but my MH Phantom is ALWAYS in my pack on winter or high altitude adventures. And it is almost always used, at one point in time or another. Usually as a belay jacket. But I have had it, and worn it, on back country ski trips, 14ers etc. |
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The only time ive ever needed a belay jacket was ice cragiing. Not climbing a mountain like rainier or shasta etc If youre cold move faster or simul climb isntead of belaying pitches out. |
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if youre climbing 14ers in winter or going to denali then sure the nilas is prob useful. |
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At 1.4 lbs and the size of a nalgene when compressed I consider the MH Nilas Jacket to be a great jacket for belays, bivies, and any other emergencies that may occur. I would hate to be climbing in the Sierra and have to bivy overnight without a down jacket. |
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randy88fj62 wrote: I like the idea of a lightweight fleece vest. Still need to find one cheap, preferably used. Anyone selling an old thin fleece vest size large?Look for one at Savers. You can usually find one for about $5-7. |