Reviews by User: Stephen Koch (54)

This headlamp rocks! It is bright, efficient, easy to use, doesn't flop around on your head (as many lamps do...check this out when buying by putting the lamp you are considering for purchase and jump up and down a bit as in fast hiking or running...if it bounces, bounce it right back on the shelf and then get the MYO-XP or other Petzl lamps), has three settings that are easy to use by simply pushing the button...once for brightest, twice for a bit less light and three times for lowest light setting...and four times for flashing (which I haven't needed to use). Flip the diffuser down and you get diffused light. The diffuser also acts as a protector, so I keep it down when packing the lamp. Easy adjustments and I have the additional head strap (included) attached for additional security and stability of the lamp on my head. Also fits well on helmets and again, doesn't flop around (check this out on the helmet too as the bouncing effect is intensified on helmets. I always turn one battery around when I am not using (during the day) so as not to have the lamp accidentally turned on, which drains the battery. This hasn't happened often because you can block the "on" button by easily turning the lamp upward, but once was enough and this lamp is easy as pie to open up to access the 3 AA batteries, which seem to last an eternity (even with that being the case, I always have spare freshies in my pack). One last but important feature of the MYO-XP is that it has a "blast" button that gives you huge light for several seconds (while the button is pressed) and this is badass for route finding or animal spotting! Buy this headlamp and you will be stoked!

This was the go to piece when heading outside with my son last winter. Even on the coldest days in JH we were able to bundle up and ride the bike to the rec center for swimming lessons. This suit would keep him warm with nothing more on than a swimming diaper underneath. The fit is good and roomy enough for added layers. Zippers work well for changing and the reversibility is nice when you get tired of smelling mom's breast milk while wearing the Baby Bjorn. Patagonia quality is outstanding and the attention to detail shows in this piece, as with many of their other infant/child products.

I absolutely love my Icebreaker BodyFit 260 top. It is warm for the weight, very stretchy and best of all - DOES NOT COLLECT ODOR, even after multi-day use in Patagonia, where I was sweating a lot! The arms are fairly long and I like the thumb holders, which when not in use are out of the way. My only wish for this top, as with most tops - because of my long torso, is for longer torso length. My torso is crazy long though...I am 6'2" and my pant inseam is 33"! So for most folks it will be plenty long enough. I have used this shirt steadily in winter and when on expeditions for the past 3 years and it is still going strong! The only place it is showing wear is around the cuffs, which is no surprise as I have kept the thumbs in to offer protection to the back of my hands while crack climbing on the sharp granite of Cerro Torre during the FA of the complete SE Ridge. I am a huge fan of Icereaker and especially this piece.

These boots are warm, light and have great ankle flexibility. They are a bit narrow for my med-wide foot but I deal by having my local cobbler throw them on the stretcher overnight. They climb steep ice and mixed terrain exceptionally well. The rubber sole grips rock like nobodies business. They have held up for two seasons of heavy use and will be getting used again soon!

This pack is great for carrying up to about 40 pounds. Over that I want more support. But this thing is LIGHT! I have used it for a great pack rafting trip down the Colorado River. We put in at Spanish Bottom after hiking from Elephant Hill, carrying our boats, life jacket, paddle, sleeping bag, pad, cloths, helmet, stove, pot, food and other odds and ends in and on (paddle) this pack. It carried well and does not add 5 to 10 pounds to the load like most other packs. It is simple but has good necessities...two compression straps on either side that are long enough to hold a tent or pad (or paddles) on the outside of the pack, pockets to catch poles or tent on outside of pack, large water-proof zipper pocket that is easy to access, even when full, by being on the back middle of the pack. After unloading all the gear and going for a hike, it was easy to compress the straps and head out with this light weight pack. It has been through some serious use and is still holding up well. I have also used this pack guiding in the Tetons and climbing the Black Ice Couloir recently. Light is truly right and this pack proves it.

The Laser Sonic by Petzl goes in smoothly. You can clip your draw and turn the screw while being clipped in. So if you fall, heaven forbid, while placing the screw, which can happen, with this screw there is a chance you will be caught if your screw holds. In good ice your screw doesn't have to be in very far to hold a fall, especially with some rope out. You can also take these screws out WITHOUT unclipping them, so they are clipped into the rope until you clip it into your harness, then unclip it from the rope, eliminating the drop possibility. When placing this screw, once it is established and I know it won't fall out, I grab the swivel with my thumb and forefinger and spin it in. They go in like butter! They can be a bit unruly to rack due to the swiveling clip in point. To limit this unruliness, stabilize the swivel when racking. Happy climbing!

I have used these tools for a few seasons now and love them. The one drawback for me, as an alpinist, is that they don't offer a hammer. I solved this by removing the Nomic head and replaced it with a Quark head, which accommodates a hammer. This process was tricky but worked and now I have an even better tool that I can pound pins with. The added weight and slight angle change helped if anything. These tools climb ice very well. I use tethers to prevent droppage. Leashless is the way to free yourself and to be way more efficient. One drawback - no spike on the bottom of the tool, which, so long as I am aware of it, has not been a problem. When mixed climbing the Nomics excel...whether matching on one tool or gripping up high, these tools love every minute of it and when you reach the ice you are NOT bumming from the "bounce you the fuck out of the ice placement you just made because the tools were engineered solely for rock climbing," which some other mixed tools give. Instead, you are laughing your way to the top of the climb... Enjoy!

I have used this bag on Denali several times. It has kept me warm down to 30 below. Eating a half stick of butter in your hot chocolate before bed helps. Also, when awoken from cold, having a candy bar on hand to munch down is always a good idea and lets me get back to sleep. The zippers are strong and the bag has incredible loft. It cinches around my head very well. I take off my jackets for sleeping and have long underwear and fleece with my puffy jacket over my feet for added warmth. I have used this bag in the Tetons in winter when it has been severely cold outside and I was toasty warm and smiling. It is pretty heavy, but that is the price for warmth! Have a great adventure!

The VIO POV1 camera is incredibly easy to use. I took it mountaineering and ice climbing up the Black Ice Couloir a few weeks ago. I had the lens attached to the right side of my climbing helmet with the strap running down my shirt (on the outside of my long underwear but under my other layers), over my harness and into my front pants pocket, where I would turn it on and off with ease. The quality of the video is really good. I am in the process of editing the footage that I shot and will have it up on cloudveil.com soon. You can work as many angles as you have bits of imagination with this camera. I look forward to getting even more creative this winter with snowboarding shots and vertical ice climbing! It is easy to download the footage...just plug the cord in and away you go, right on your computer. No more DV tapes!

The Rome Flag snowboard is truly an amazing ride. It is snappy and responsive and handles crud and funk like no other wide board I have ridden. Plenty of surface to float in the powder and can handle the speed of straight lining in variable conditions. This is my go to board for every day riding, resort or BC.

The Marmot Alpinist tent is a great four season tent. It is light, easy to set up, has a roomy vestibule, plenty of light weight pockets inside, is roomy for two big guys, strong (I have had it with a lot of snow on it and mucho wind and the Alpinist shone (or is it shinded?), good ventilation and the fabric breaths well and doesn't collect too much moisture.

I have had this pack for the past four seasons and it is still holding strong after much use. It is a good size for day trips. The hose inside the shoulder is an excellent idea and it does not freeze unless it is well below zero and I forget to "blow back." Holds a snowboard very securely. Holds skis in A formation and across the back well. Ski loops on side are large enough to accommodate split board when split, which is vital for me...been skinning on split and gets too steep to skin...throw the split snowboard on your back and start busting trail up the waist deep pew, knowing it will be worth it shortly, when you stop fighting gravity and start rippin'! One drawback is that the material against the lower back tends to hold snow when warm. I minimize this by keeping it out of the snow by laying the pack down on its back (outside). Zippers work well and are waterproof. In short: this pack excels as a single day backcountry snowboard or ski pack with the best placed (in the shoulder) hydration system on the market.

Forgot to mention another great feature of this light...it lets you know if the batteries are going through the green/red light that blinks lightly out of the top of the light, by the on/off button. Green means power OK, red means replace. But you can still use it for a while with red light blinking...just be aware that it needs new batteries. Lithium batteries work great in cold but die really fast.

Stoppers are tried and true. They are always on my rack up to a number 11 or 12. I find the 13 to be heavy and a bit floppy and cams easily cover the size and are as light if not lighter. I rack mine on 2 carabiners...3 - 7 and 8 - 12 for easier placement with less nuts to deal with. I know the 3 is not in this set but I add a couple smaller nuts in to take it down if necessary. If I am going light in the Tetons, I will take a set of BD Stoppers and call it good. Enjoy!

The Spantiks are exceptionally warm, very light and climb technical terrain well. They have enough ankle mobility to climb great on mixed terrain and steep ice. I climbed the Andromeda Strain last March and my feet were warm all day! The inner boot lacing system is different but once I got used to it (2nd time out) I loved it. The inner boot is easy to remove and has rubber on the bottom for walking around. These would be a great boot for Denali type climbs, but I would bring an overboot, just to be safe.

Just last month I used one of these ropes on the Black Ice Couloir. The climb was a bit "modern" with thin and mixed sections and the rope was perfect, offering security and weight savings so we could move fast. The Valhalla Traverse was really fun with a little new snow to keep it interesting and offer some footing over the frozen kitty litter type material that you have to cross get to the Black Ice. These ropes are light weight and have great handling. The butterfly coil, as an other reviewer already said, really works well, eliminating the need to coil and uncoil your new rope several times to get the kinks out before use. These ropes are showing noticeably less wear than a pair of Beal cords that I had a couple years ago with even fewer pitches on them. Orange and green happen to be a couple of my favorite colors too!

I love this hat and wore it all winter. Literally all winter. I even slept in it on cold nights (my wife likes to keep the room colder than me...has nothing to do with no sex for six months after child is born). It fits well, covering my ears to their bottoms, which is vital, especially when traversing Rendezvous Bowl with a howling wind trying to nip anything exposed. Warm, not scratchy and doesn't smell much after wearing and not washing for weeks on end! Colors are great...simple, solid and with a hint of a 2nd color to help match well for those fashion conscious. Great hat that fits well (functions), is warm and looks cool.

The Rome Libertine boot is an excellent softer flexing boot. I normally ride stiffer boots and got a pair of these to use for powder conditions and also to have a very comfortable boot. Rome boots have a roomy toe box, which I like because I have a fairly wide foot. I also regularly put toe warmers in my boots and there is enough room for this, even downsizing to a 10.5. My street shoe is 11 / 11.5 US. These boots flex like butter, are comfortable and light. If you want a generously flexing boot with a wider toe box that rides and looks great, the Libertine's are for you.

These boots are light and relatively warm. They run a little narrow for my medium-wide foot. I take care of that by bringing them to my local cobbler who throws them in the stretcher overnight and then I am good to go! They are so light that they wear faster than heavier boots. If you want a super durable boot then get something else. But if you want "the" boot for climbing peaks in Patagonia or many other places, you can't do better then this boot.

The Petzl Harnesses have a special little "sleeve" on either side of the harness - between the gear loops, for the Caritool. Nice thinking frogs!

I have had a Metolius Simulator fingerboard for many years and believe it to be the best fingerboard on the market. The variety of holds is incredible, from the 3 big jugs which offer you wide and narrow hanging/pulling options from them to the many 3, 2 and mono pockets, to slopers and crimpers...this board has it all. It is very grippy and easy to hang. I put some "I" bolts that can accommodate carabiners on the outside of the board so I can clip in bungy cords at different lengths to reduce the load when hanging and pulling. This is a great way to work into full body weight pull-ups and hanging on the smaller holds.

I used this jacket while riding the "Village" (Jackson Hole) and up on Glory Bowl all last winter. It is very warm, has a great powder skirt (removable), nice hood (removable) that cinches down nicely without a helmet (don't know how it fits with a helmet), relatively long sleeves and fits really well in the body for a very comfortable feel. I like that there are two pockets, an inner and outer, on the left side of the jacket (accessible with right hand) for keeping spare goggles, glasses, phone or anything else you want easy access to. The pit zips work well but I don't use them often. If I am that warm, I have the jacket opened or off and the only time that happens is while hiking or on the Gondola (soon to be TRAM AGAIN!!!). It has good draw strings at the waist to keep the cold and snow out. Good hand warming pockets and yet another pocket (located on the inside right front of jacket (accessed with left hand) that holds a bottle of schnapps very well. One other thing...there is access for a headphone wire to go through from inner pocket to head so you can rock out and be warm at the same time! The Wind Stopper material is very wind proof (hence the name, eh?) and has a really nice hand. I like the clean cut and solid color of the jacket as well. Great for ripping down mountains and wear it right into the Mangy Moose for an apres beer.

Hiking up Glory Bowl or guiding clients up Shadow Peak in Grand Teton National Park on my split snowboard, I am always wearing these pants. They are crazy comfortable, shed snow well, have a great built in gaiter, good pockets, good suspenders and extra protection where you want it. The Schoeller Dynamic fabric is the best softshell fabric on the market. I have used many and this is the best...best hand, wind resistance, water repellancy and strength to weight. Also fairly stretchy. Get these pants while they are on sale! Many companies are going away from Schoeller (Swiss Made) because of the cost of the fabric. Awesome pants that will last most users several years of use. Be comfortable while in the backcountry and using these pants will help!

I have used the Elios helmet for several years. I take this helmet on expeditions and while guiding because it can handle being packed less delicately than the Meteor III. Plus all the color options are pretty cool as well. Either way, I always try and pack my helmet inside my pack, as the last thing before the lid goes over or inside the main compartment, with my lunch/food inside so the helmet can protect it. Great all around helmet that can last several seasons of hard climbing. If you want the super bomber helmet that you can drop, sit on, headbutt into the wall, then go with the Petzl Ecrin Roc. For weight savings on those big alpine routes, I suggest the Petzl Meteor III - just be more careful with it and definitely don't sit on it!

Forgot to mention the Reverso's quick-release loop lets you release tension on a fallen climber by simply putting in a carabiner and torquing the device up. But BEWARE! When you do this make sure you keep your hand on the rope because it is easy to zoom your partner down too far by not retaining control of the rope when you release tension to lower...how's that for a run-on sentence?! Cheers!

This is a great belay device for belaying the leader and/or the second. I love belaying the second off the anchor so I can be hands free! What an amazing concept that is available to the masses through the use of the Petzl Reverso 3. There are other devices out there but they don't work as well. The BD ATC Guide is heavier and tends to twist the rope more by having the clip in hole (the one that you clip the device into from the anchor) is turned 90 degrees from how the ropes feed. The Reverso 3 clips in at the same angle that the ropes are fed through the device, causing no twist in the ropes! One thing about using these devices to belay the second from the anchor...Obviously your anchors have to be BOMBER for you to belay off of them, but they better be BOMBER anyway! I use thin cords in the mountains for Alpine and 9.6 mm singles through this device for rock climbing and all are smooth belaying and catching falls. If you are old school and use over 10.5 mm cords, I don't recommend this device. Why are you using such large and heavy cords? The smaller diameter single ropes are strong, and LIGHTER! Get rid of your fat ropes and get a nice 9 mm single and stop carrying all that extra weight around and start climbing easier and harder! Hands free belaying of the second (or third!)on multi-pitch routes is awesome! This device works great for belaying a leader as well. So you can have it to belay the second just in case and not be bummed you are carrying it. Oh yea, this thing rappels way better than the old Reverso. Nice improvement by putting the teeth in there! Way safer!

I love these tools! I used Quarks on hundreds of routes over the years...vertical ice, alpine ice and mixed routes (new route on Denali Light Traveler and first free ascent of the Moonflower Buttress done with Quarks), snowboard descents and mixed (before the Ergo and Nomics). When mixed climbing I add a "ball" to match onto, just above the rubber grip. I do this by taking duct tape, give er' a couple full raps then unroll 2' of tape and while it is still on the roll, twist the sh#t out of it so it is tightly twisted and stuck to itself, then keep wrapping around and repeat as necessary to get the size "ball or match grip rest" you desire then finish it off with a stickier tape and throw some strips of skateboard deck grip tape on there for ultimate holding power! That, along with the stock grip-rest will have you matching your way to the top, whether mixed terrain, steep ice or traversing on easier ground... The Quark swings better than any ice tool out there. Try to demo all the tools you can and you will see for yourself. The picks penetrate well without shattering the ice. I go with two hammers so as to not risk opening up my face (not that a hammer back into my face if the tool pops, won't open me up, just less so than an adze!) I can use the pick (maybe not quite as efficiently, but worth it for safety) to cut through crap ice or dig a ledge out of the ice. I recommend going leashless, even with the Quarks. Free yourself up. It is the now. You may get more pumped, but that is because you are most likely over-gripping. Relax that grip to just before you slip off and that is how much you need to hold on, not any more! Also, going leashless lets you have less of a cluster fuck by not needing to unclip your clipper leash or pull your hand out of a traditional leash, or worse still, having your tool dangle from your wrist as you are throwing in a screw, clip a draw and get that rope in (all while your heart rate is going through the roof as your leg is doing a sweet Elvis impersonation - yes your leg and not you because you don't control it at this exact moment - maybe you will regain control as soon as you clip in to a good screw)! These tools plunge well, both with and without the grip-rest. The spike is the bomb and bites very well. There are two types of picks to choose from and they are both great! Bottom line: the best all around (steep ice/mixed/alpine ice etc.) ice ax on the market! If you are going to get one tool that does it all, the Quark is the one.

A few months ago I used one of these ropes on the Black Ice Couloir. The climb was a bit "modern" with thin and mixed sections and the rope was perfect, offering security and weight savings so we could move fast. The Valhalla Traverse was really fun with a little new snow to keep it interesting and offer some footing over the frozen kitty litter type material that you have to cross get to the Black Ice. These ropes are light weight and have great handling. The butterfly coil, as an other reviewer already said, really works well, eliminating the need to coil and uncoil your new rope several times to get the kinks out before use. These ropes are showing noticeably less wear than a pair of Beal cords that I had a couple years ago with even fewer pitches on them. Orange and green happen to be a couple of my favorite colors too!

The 390 Bindings are a solid all around binding that I have used extensively this season riding hard at JH. The buckles and straps are strong, easy to adjust and work like butter with excellent hold. Well thought out design details that are appreciated towards the end of a long day of riding!

This jacket is great for a little one that loves being outside in winter conditions. My son used his extensively. The quality is excellent, fit good and is a very warm jacket. It held up through a winter with little wear and water resistance in tact. Patagonia makes excellent baby/childrens cloths for those outdoor oriented families.

These Griprests for the Quark ice axes by Petzl are wonderful. They protect my knuckles from smashing into ice and make it easier to hold onto the tool. Attaches easily too.

The Troller Mitts are very durable with thick leather. I have had mine for 3 years and they are still going strong. I treat the leather a couple times a winter, which helps with the water repellent properties. I melted the Schoeller fabric when drying them early on, which deformed and cracked but still functions. They are warm but not HOT. The fingers are separated by fleece, which I think is weak in a mitten. Designers getting fancy and getting away from the best thing about mittens...that you can have your warm fingers warm the cold (or getting cold) digit through DIRECT CONTACT! Overall a good and durable mitten that has held up very well to over 100 days of use snowboarding Jackson Hole Mountain and Teton Backcountry.

These tights are good. They are warm and comfortable and fit well. I use them on colder days of climbing and riding. A zipper for peeing would be helpful. Bulky, but this is where the warmth and comfort come from.

I have been stuck riding wider boards...Flag by Rome, due to 11.5 feet. I snuck into a pair of 10.5's recently, which allowed me to rock this board. I have had a great time both in the resort and out in the backcountry. It is flexy but holds an edge well. I have had a blast doing butters on the groomed trails, which I haven't done much of on other boards. Tricks are for kids and I like acting like one on this board. I was able to handle some really steep terrain on it as well. It is responsive and floats so evenly and effortlessly - a very surfy feel. Handles landing smoothly and is very light weight, which is great when carrying it up hill! Bottom line: fun board for ripping powder and having a good time!

These boots are light, ski well, and seem very durable. My major complaint is that they are a little narrow and rub my "6th" toe. I am going to try and have them punched or ground for additional width. The material of the shell is great. I was up Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park last week on an ice/mixed climb that I skied in on these boots, changed into my climbing boots and left these in the pack. When I returned several hours later (no sun) I was able to get my foot in without too much work. The strong pull tabs on the tongue and back of the liner really helped with this! These boots ski really well...can lock them down well and they feel tight. As apposed to another reviewer, I feel the walk/ski modes are markedly different with the walk mode flowing nicely and the ski mode locked down nicely. In short: these boots are light and ski well. If you have a wide forefoot, you might have some work to do to accommodate your big foot, like me!

The Attache is a proven locker that I have used for years. It opens reliably and stays closed and locked when you want it to. It doesn't need to be overtightened, but if it is can be undone with some tension while opening. Like all crabs it will get challenging to open in icy conditions when the temps are near freezing or near freezing and get really cold when things are wet. I put mine inside my jacket to dry/warm it and it works. Or blow on it to heat it up and get it open. Strong this crab is. Heavy by todays standards, that is why I give it four stars instead of 5. Looking forward to Petzl's new carabiner line which will eventually come out and blow everyone away with the quality and innovation.

These are my go to long underwear for anything cold. If really cold I add a Cloudveil Run Don't Walk Tight, but only if it is REALLY cold and I am using Schoeller type pants vs. hard shell. If in a hardshell then these are usually warm enough. They fit well. I wear a large and have a 33" waist and 32" inseam. I use them often and they are holding up well. Super comfortable against the skin. Don't smell. Good fly. Elastic waist band holding up nicely. Highly recommend this product.

The Cascade pick, when attached to a Quark or Nomic, penetrates the ice like a hot knife into butter, only faster! The reason for the great penetration is the slender 3mm tip, tapered down from 4mm farther back. These picks are beautifully made too. I have sharpened mine down well over 1/4" and the tool still climbs great! If you are going to do much "slotting" as is mentioned in the description above, I recommend the Quad, a beefier (4mm T rated) pick for the Quark. Bottom Line: This is a special ice climbing pick for a remarkable ice climbing tool.

The Astro is a beefy pick that offers durability for the long haul. I have torqued this pick in thin cracks and hauled my 200 lbs. up many a mixed climbs and not bent it. Thinner picks, which penetrate the ice easier, wear out much faster. You can still file down the tip if the pick to narrow it for easier penetration and less ice displacement. The teeth on the top of the pick can be good for increased purchase on rock but can be a major pain on the rare occasion you penetrate deeply and they get stuck. The long tooth doesn't seem to add much to the pick and doesn't bother me. Bottom line: The Astro shines as a mixed pick because of durability yet climbs ice very well, especially with a bit of filing.

The Petzl Zipka is a solid headlamp that I have many of. I keep them in my car, drawers in the kitchen, in the garage and in my backpack. My wife carries one around in her purse. I also use one around my wrist when riding my bike at night. If I don't have my rear light, I hold it towards the back so drivers coming up on me can see me. The attachment is brilliant, simple and totally functional. The folks at Petzl obviously put a lot of time and energy into all of their products and it shows through the way the product functions as well as how it looks. Never cheap parts made in China like most of the other headlamps. This light passes the "flop" test...when it is on my head it doesn't flop around. It also works on helmets. The coolest thing about this light is the ease it switches from one size to another...just pull the back! It works well, is simple and easy to use. Turn it on, light comes on, turn it off, light goes off. It shines fairly brightly...plenty enough for hiking at night without moonlight, changing a tire on a dirt road or for finding your car keyhole in a dark parkinglot (where the lamppost inevitably is shining on the other side of the car). One thing about these, and all headlamps, is that they lose power gradually and it is sometimes difficult to realize it until it is too late. Take spare batteries and check power (in dark room to really see how much output you are getting) before heading out. Bottom line: Easy to use, strong and functional lamp that comes with batteries and lasts a long time.

I wrote a review on the Q Towers thinking they were the Lowriders, which is the correct tower for my 97 Audi Wagon. Sorry for the confusion. I love the Lowriders...they work well, are secure and don't scratch the car.

I have had the Q Towers on my '97 Audi A6 Wagon and love them. They were fairly easy to install and I bought locks for them as well. I have an older Rocket Box and bike rack on there and the Towers has held up well. I sometimes drive very fast and no worries with this system. No damage to the car and a secure fit has me giving the Q Towers a thumbs up!

These bindings rock! They are solid for great transmission of body movement to board edge. The customization options on the Targas is amazing and worth taking the time to dial in. It is like BBK...you can "have it your way." I have bumps on my feet from 20 years of riding and was able to get relief by customizing the fit/placement of the buckles and highback. The buckles are like butter. They open easily and lock down securely. Also, the toe straps do an outstanding job of not only securing my foot, but of keeping my boot snugly back in the binding.

The CVeil Troller XCR Gloves have worked well for me for many days out. They are durable, warm, comfortable and relatively dexterous. The fabric on the back of the thumb is very soft and dries fast, but I would prefer my "snot wipe" to be on the back of the hand. When very wet I dry them with a boot drier. Also, after several days, I use Nikwax to freshen up the waterproofing on the leather and to soften them.

The Caritool by Petzl is a great and inexpensive way to get more organized, efficient and safer while ice climbing. I have one Caritool on either side of my harness and rack my screws in them for leading or when following. Before launching into my next lead I try to figure out (by viewing the way ahead) which size screw I will need when and rack accordingly. I am also scoping out rests and getting a general idea of how I will tackle (not Jack) the pitch. Even if I don't plan exactly the way I end up using the screws, the Caritool lets me off the hook by allowing me to move one or two screws (not the size I need at the moment but the screw/s that are "next") up on top, without unclipping them, where they stay because of the ridges and slight raise in the plastic (bravo design!), so I can get the size screw I need. For example (may be overkill on the description but what the hell, I am not sleepy at the moment and enjoy sharing info); I have racked my long screws at the back (put them on the Caritool first) because I saw the need for stubbies (so I rack the stubbies last so I can access them off of the Caritool first) but did not end up placing many because the ice was so thin it wouldn't even take stubbies) and then I get into thicker ice that is a little airy and I want a long screw for deep penetration, so I put the two stubbies that were in "next" position up on top so I can access my long screw for the deep penetration I desire... Hope this helps you understand the great usability of the Caritool. Oh yea, another thing they are great for is racking your tools (pick back) when hiking or rappelling. I think the Caritool is large enough to get two tools on one, which is convenient. When rappelling I put my tools in my left Caritool because I rappel rightie!

I use a Selena in Large because the Sama in Large is slightly too large in the waist for me and the Medium Sama is too small in the legs for me. I am not a chicken legged dude, as many sport climbers are (not that I often don't wish for that, especially when I am flaming out and I am getting sloppy with my feet). This harness is extremely comfortable, light and functional...the complete package. I use it ice climbing as well since I am able to get boots with crampons through the leg loops. That is the test if you want to use it for ice climbing. Be well.

I keep an e+Light clipped to the back of my harness, along with a Tibloc, short prussic cord and a knife. I consider these things essential to bring on every climb. I had a client not bring their headlamp on a climb recently and I said, "no worries" as I unpacked my pack to get to my harness with the e+Lite attached. The light is surprisingly bright for its size, has several settings, including a blinking setting. It obviously doesn't put out like the MYO-XP but it is plenty functional to get you where you need to go through the dark in a pinch. I like its protective case (mine is all scratched up from chimneys and rock climbing but is still functional and water proof). Good to have in your pack as an extra light when backpacking or even in the glovebox of your car for that "just in case" moment.

This has been the loveliest functioning carabiner on the market for over 10 years. The keylock system rocks...no snagging on anything. No other company that has a keylock carabiner does it better than the original Spirit. One drawback is their weight (hence the missing star above). They are heavy compared to many of the newer (especially wire gates) carabiners on the market, so if weight is a concern (for your alpine rack or a hard route that you are trying to free), I recommend some of the light wire gates (check out Trango's, DMM's or Mammuts). If you want the Cadillac of carabiners and don't mind a little extra weight along with your amazing handling, this is the one.

These pants rock for snowboarding, skiing or sledding with your kid in the backyard. They are stretchy, breathe well and are easy to get on and off over boots (if you so desire). The fit is excellent overall. I have a 33" inseam and a 33" waist and Large fits me a little big but it is better than tight and short, that's for sure. I found the suspenders to slip so after I figured out what height I wanted them I taped them so they wouldn't move. My Koven Pants have lasted two seasons of regular and hard use and are still going strong with minimal wear. The gaiter fits well over my snowboard boots and keeps the snow out! Great all around snowboard/ski/snowmobile/climbing pant!

I have used this pole for walking as a guide in the Tetons as well as on several expeditions around the world while snowboarding on the Seven Summits. They work well. One trick to longevity is to take them apart to dry after use, otherwise they get a bit sticky and can seize in the closed position, which is a bummer, especially if you are just beginning your long ski on split snowboard back to the parking lot after ripping a run with the poles on the pack. The two sets of baskets (powder and smaller) are really nice. I use them without baskets in the summer time. It is good to give them a good hard twist to help prevent collapsing. For a good all around pole, the LLGUL (long name...) is a great choice.

These crampons are light and climb steep ice and mixed terrain great! I use them in the mountains too. Just used them for a recent (September 2008) ascent of the Black Ice Couloir in Grand Teton National Park. The closure system takes a little getting used to. I recommend pushing in, towards the boot on the side lock (small metal triangle) when closing the boot. This will limit the torque on that triangle, which I have bent in years past, when I didn't do the suggestion above. If you are not heelhooking and don't mind a little more weight, I recommend the leverwire closure (more traditional). If you want to save weight every time you take a step or kick your crampons in ice, go with the leverlock, as I do. I like the Darts (mono) for mixed climbing and the Dartwins (called Darts and shown above, that have the "twin" front points) for straight ice, or mostly ice. If you are going to get a pair of poons that excel on steep ice and you can take up mountaineering routs, the Darts/Dartwins are a great choice.

This headlamp rocks! It is bright, efficient, easy to use, doesn't flop around on your head (as many lamps do...check this out when buying by putting the lamp you are considering for purchase and jump up and down a bit as in fast hiking or running...if it bounces, bounce it right back on the shelf and then get the MYO-XP or other Petzl lamps), has three settings that are easy to use by simply pushing the button...once for brightest, twice for a bit less light and three times for lowest light setting...and four times for flashing (which I haven't needed to use). Flip the diffuser down and you get diffused light. The diffuser also acts as a protector, so I keep it down when packing the lamp. Easy adjustments and I have the additional head strap (included) attached for additional security and stability of the lamp on my head. Also fits well on helmets and again, doesn't flop around (check this out on the helmet too as the bouncing effect is intensified on helmets. I always turn one battery around when I am not using (during the day) so as not to have the lamp accidentally turned on, which drains the battery. This hasn't happened often because you can block the "on" button by easily turning the lamp upward, but once was enough and this lamp is easy as pie to open up to access the 3 AA batteries, which seem to last an eternity (even with that being the case, I always have spare freshies in my pack). One last but important feature of the MYO-XP is that it has a "blast" button that gives you huge light for several seconds (while the button is pressed) and this is badass for route finding or animal spotting! Buy this headlamp and you will be stoked!

These Boxers are perfect for that little extra bit of warmth when tearing it up at a lift service mountain. They insulate well when sitting on the lift, fit well, help with preventing frostbite on your penis if you are in a strong, bitterly cold wind with Schoeller Dynamic pants. Stretchy, warm, fun, functional and chicks dig them. Literally they want to wear them at night when it is cold because they are so warm and comfortable. Also offer a slight bit of padding which helps when the conditions get firm or you hip check your landings.

These shoes rock for several reasons. They are Italian made and show it with fine quality and finish. They fit my slightly wide foot well and breathe very well, even on hot summer rides. They have held up well and show little wear after years of use. The carbon sole is stiff as all get up and really transfers well the energy of my pedaling into the forward and upward motion of the bike. This is one of the coolest aspects of road biking - the power transfer from me so directly to the bike and having stiff shoes bring it all together and help you fly!