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Just Out - March 2009 - 273
By our clock, it’s now gear thirty: time to bizzle the swag that’s down ‘n’ dirty.
Shown here is the sleek, curved, and crafted MAMMUT SAMURAI ($139.95, mammut.com). |
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 HU.go Where You Wanna ...
The new AUSTRIALPIN HU.GO ($199 per tool, austrialpin.net) thinks outside the icebox: it’s an ice tool that’s suitable for any winter warrior, be she rank novice or seasoned veteran. The key to the HU.go’s versatility is its adjustable-pick design, which allows you to set the pick angle to match the terrain.  Ranger Rig
Safety and comfort are king when choosing a harness. The MISTY MOUNTAIN THREADWORKS RANGER ($74.95, mistymountain.com) is on target in both areas, but especially shines in the latter arena courtesy of a “floating swami,” which lets you laterally adjust the ample padding and (four) gear loops along the circumference of the waistbelt webbing.  Ways of the Warrior
Sleek, curved, and crafted to do their owner’s bidding, both the samurai sword and the new MAMMUT SAMURAI ($139.95, mammut.com) are physical expressions of art forms . . . with serious power. In the case of Mammut’s rock shoe, the blade’s curve (a severe downturn) is bolstered by an elastic-feeling heel and arch construction.  Celerity
A freezing wind sucking the life from your body will ruin a five-star route. One primo solution comes via the ARC’TERYX CELERIS JACKET ($119, arcteryx.com). This tough, ultra-light (4.6oz) wonder vanishes into a pack faster than a hungry chipmunk and even fits in a roomy cargo pocket. Click here to buy now from MountainGear.com  In the Bag
Shelf Road, 1990: after another wretched, frosty night, I bought a second cheap-o sleeping bag, reasoning that two bad bags together somehow equaled one good one. The result? A suffocating cocoon with subpar thermoregulation. If only I’d had the ingenious LIPPI SELK’BAG SLEEPWARE SYSTEM 1 ($149, selkbagnation.com), a sleeping bag in suit form.  Stone Love
Many thanks to John Gill — if he hadn’t portaged gymnastic chalk into our little sport four decades ago, I’d be even more the eternal bumbler, sweaty-palmed and defeated number grades lower than now. So it is we welcome to the States the new-for-2009 WILD COUNTRY PURE CHALK ($7 for a 350g bag, wildcountry.co.uk), a helping of the pure white stuff that, as advertised, contains no additives or additional drying agents.  Battle Gear
Thrutching for a hold 15 feet above a “classic,” rocky Flagstaff Mountain landing, I gave thanks for my ample MOON CLIMBING WARRIOR ($200, moonclimbing.com). One of this pad’s notable innovations is its reverse burrito-style design, which positions the landing surface on the outside when closed, keeping battlefield debris (mud and water) off your back while you boulder-hop.  Sisterhood of the Traveling Packs
En route to climb in Boulder Canyon, I arrived at a Tyrolean traverse only to realize my harness was at the pack bottom. But — Aha! — I carried the DEUTER GUIDE 30+ SL ($139, deuterusa.com), which has a side-access zipper. Problem solved! This sophisticated yet tough Ballistics-nylon pack (3lbs 8oz; 1,850 to 2,200 cubic inches) sports a comfy, women’s-specific fit.  Lock ‘Em and Rock ‘Em
How does the saying go — “Build a better mousetrap, and they will come” . . . ? Well, the new VASQUE EQUALIZER ($115, vasque.com) builds that mousetrap, thanks to an innovative “dual zone” closure system that locks your foot in place on approaches. You batten the hatches on these lightweight (2lbs 1oz/pair) shoes by tugging down a cord to cinch the forefoot, and then pulling a strap to tighten the upperfoot and ankle areas. |
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