The Alpinist Mountain Standards reviews apply Alpinist's tradition of excellence and authenticity to gear reviews by providing unbiased, candid feedback and anecdotal commentary to equipment tested (hard) in the field. Our panel is comprised of climbers who use the gear every day as part of their work and play. Only the gear they would actually buy themselves, at retail price, qualifies for the Alpinist Mountain Standards award. The five-star rating system is as follows: One Star = Piece of junk. Two Stars = Has one or more significant flaws, with some redeeming qualities. Three Stars = Average. This solid piece of gear is middle-of-the-road on the current market. Four Stars = Better than most comparable gear on the market. It has one or two drawbacks, but still 90% positive. Five Stars = Is there such thing as perfection? An Alpinist Mountain Standards award-winner. Review Panel Adam George Caroline George Larry Goldie Blake Herrington John Race Bert Severin Jed Workman The rest of the MS Team |
 Black Diamond Lighthouse TentPosted on: July 30, 2005 
MSRP:$390 At 3lb 3oz, and 30.8 sq. ft. of space, the Lighthouse is an awesome choice when space, weight and strength are priorities. It is surprising that a tent this light can also be so sturdy. The high winds from an aborted Grand Teton descent this winter were no match for the well-positioned shelter. Its relatively high ceiling made waiting out foul weather much more pleasurable. The simple two-pole design was a breeze to set up with frozen fingers and weakening headlamp batteries. When you stuff the tent directly into your pack, sans stuff sack, it seems to disappear into the smallest spaces, leaving room for other things...or just letting you bring a smaller pack. |
