The Valhalla does an admirable job of balancing the contradictory demands of climbers–light but durable, waterproof yet breathable, stiff but comfortable–but this also means that in no one circumstance do they truly shine. However, that didn’t stop them from being my preferred shoes on trips with a little bit of every kind of terrain.
After several months of abuse, capped off with a thrutchy ascent of Red Rock’s Epinephrine, I was amazed to find Prana’s Tangra pants still looking new. However, when it came to everyday use, the pants are clearly designed for fashion over function.
I thought the flashy pink (and I mean pink) color of the Selena was a cover-up for a disappointing lack of women-specific features. When I actually put the harness to the test, I was pleased to find that the design is thoughtfully tailored for the smaller, curvier climber. However, ladies who plan to climb more than just single-pitch sport will be frustrated by the Selena’s other design features on long trad climbs.
After a couple months of testing, this shirt has become a reliable and durable addition to my base layer arsenal.
The Mark is so much better than all those initials I used to sketch onto my gear—they always took a detective’s eye to discover, and eventually they’d wear off. The Mark takes only one application, and it stays on, no matter the beating.
I would recommend the Distance as a great lightweight, durable hiking boot—not as a true approach shoe. Its performance as a hiking boot earned them a spot inside my duffle for my fall climb of Cho Oyu.
The Millet Peuterey 40 is marketed as a “versatile summer/winter mountaineering pack for one-to-two day excursions,” but at 4.2 pounds, this little pack weighs in heavy for its limited capacity.
The Enclosure survived two months in the Chugach, two weeks in the Alaska Range, and a week rock climbing at the local crag with only slight abrasion marks, one pinhole, and a lovely stain pattern.
These hot-forged ‘biners are so sleek and small that friends have asked if the Nano Wire is designed for a key chain. To their surprise, I say these little guys are full-strength.
Though marketed for “competitive ski mountaineering,” and complying with the minimum requirements of the International Ski Mountaineering Federation, I have a feeling that its featherweight design will attract more than lycra-clad rando racers. Who wouldn’t want to shave a few more ounces from their packs?
Although I found that the PSolar BX made breathing super-cold Alaskan air more comfortable, I have always been skeptical of any techy do-dads like flux capacitors and time machines.
“Man, I wish my thumbs were bigger.” Testing these gloves is, unquestionably, the only time in my life I have uttered that phrase. The Marmot Alpinist Pro glove has, far and away, the largest thumb of any glove I’ve ever worn. I don’t know how to rectify this fact with the rest of my impressions of the glove, which were generally positive.
