Question from the Midwest to Alpine Climbers

[aaronz]

Okay guys, I am prepping for a November climb of Longs Peak. I have all my gear down for the most part. The only gear choice I am having trouble with is my jacket and pants. I have a snowboard jacket and pants combo that has done well for the slopes and is higher quality (Spyder) but I am not sure how well it will fair for climbing (especially winter climbing).

Do any of you climbers have any suggestions or insight into a combo that will work best for me? This will be my first 14k+ winter climb so any experienced advice would be appreciated!

Price Range for pants and jacket must be at or around $500 for both.

6 ft 155lbs



Thanks!

BTW if any one wants to go along you are more than welcome!

[aaronz]

no one? Where is the love?

[LampyB]

you don't want to wear snowboarding jackets or pants, you'll sweat your ass off and then freeze. i hate to recommend something like patagonia, but its honestly the best. wear a fleece + shell combo, or synthetic sweatshirt + softshell + shell combo (preferred). when climbing/mountaineering in the winter you want to be able to add or drop layers rapidly depending on the temp. and difficulty of the climb.

for pants get some sort of a shell or waterproof soft-shell. you'll want to wear thick synthetic smartwool socks, somewhat heavy synthetic long underwear (tight + stretchy), and your top layer. they will need to be waterproof and weatherproof.
IMPORTANT: when using crampons, ALWAYS use gators around your pants or you'll tear the sh*t out of your bottom pant-legs! trust me, i know from experience ;)

if you have any other questions at all feel free to give me a call man, i used to be a mountaineering / ice climbing instructor. also don't forget polarized goggles for the altitude!

303.246.1631

[aaronz]

you don't want to wear snowboarding jackets or pants, you'll sweat your ass off and then freeze. i hate to recommend something like patagonia, but its honestly the best. wear a fleece + shell combo, or synthetic sweatshirt + softshell + shell combo (preferred). when climbing/mountaineering in the winter you want to be able to add or drop layers rapidly depending on the temp. and difficulty of the climb.

for pants get some sort of a shell or waterproof soft-shell. you'll want to wear thick synthetic smartwool socks, somewhat heavy synthetic long underwear (tight + stretchy), and your top layer. they will need to be waterproof and weatherproof.
IMPORTANT: when using crampons, ALWAYS use gators around your pants or you'll tear the sh*t out of your bottom pant-legs! trust me, i know from experience ;)

if you have any other questions at all feel free to give me a call man, i used to be a mountaineering / ice climbing instructor. also don't forget polarized goggles for the altitude!

303.246.1631

Thank you very much for the response!

I am still back and fourth on the gear, looking for a good product at a good price. REI is having a garage sale coming up soon so I will see what I can grab.

I will put together my current gear list and see what you think. I have been trying to use connections and disscounts as much as possible and so far I think I have fair well. More to come!

[LampyB]

if you want good technical gear, don't buy REI brand. none of their stuff is that great, thus the cheap price. go with mammut or patagonia for the best of the best, then marmot, north face (overpriced for the quality), etc...

[aaronz]

Gear as follows: this is just the major stuff
(P=purchased S=waiting to go on sale to purchase)

Vasque M-Possible (boots) P
Petzle Vasak (crampon) P
Osprey Atmos 50 (bag) p
DMM Cirque (ice and climbing axe) S
Exponent Cloudcroft 0 Deg Mummy Bag (sleeping bag) P
Gloves (cant remember the name for the life of me, but good ones) p
UnderArmor Cold Gear Top and Bottom (base layer) p
North Face Apex bionic (soft shell/mid layer) p
Bolle Climbing glasses w/ inter lens (glasses) p
Bolle Ski Goggles (polarized) p

I think that is abotu it....