It seems that that TNF has changed their fit and sizing. These shoes are boats compared to what I've become accustomed to from TNF. The size - size 8 - fits like an old style 8.5 or 9. I already did one exchange for a half size smaller - down from my usual size of 8.5. The shoes are heavy and very stiff - something that didn't come across in the description. That being said, these seem well made (though cosmetically different from the product pics), etc.

I've used the Thor 2 person on two expeditions - one to the Himalayas and one to the Karakoram. It's roomy, comfy, weatherproof and burly enough to handle two feet of snowfall in less than a 24 hour period. The roomy vestibule, bathtub floor and five-pole set up, makes for comfy and secure Base Camp living, or ABC/expedition camp use.

All told, we put 70 days into the Thor tent and it has enough life left for another expedition.

As a die-hard BD fan, I was a hard-sell on these tools. On my last expedition to a technical route in the Karakoram, I brought two sets of tools - my tried and true carbon-fiber tools and a pair of Petzl Aztarex's.

On the warmup climbing, I brought the Aztarex's just to check them out. I was really attracted to the light weight and technical features (pinkie catch and recurve pick), but a bit concerned with the durability and shaft geometry for technical climbing and shaft plunging in snow.

I was pleasantly surprised by the tool's over all performance on snow, ice, and mixed terrain. The pinkie catch was never an impediment on snow plunging. The shaft geometry and pick combo climbed vertical ice with elegance and ease. The set of tools also weighed a pound less than my other tools.

The Petzl Aztarex's are a great choice for technical ice and mixed, especially if one has alpine aspirations. They work well leashed and leashless. Only an antler-style tool will outperform these on "sport-mixed" terrain. They are a bargain.

This stove outperforms the competition in efficiency, weight, utility and longevity.

At first I thought JetBoil was a gimicky stove, useful to a narrow range of users. What I found on several trips - including climbing above 7000 meters and making coffee on El Cap - was that the JetBoil offers the highest possible performance and reliability for an entire range of outdoor activities from hiking to climbing.

The burner is so efficient it provides a team of two, enough melted snow and boiled water, to last two days of a single 8 ounce can of iso-butane (even under -20 degrees fahrenheit).

It easily converts to a hanging profile with the commercially produced after-market kit, or a piece of perlon and two zip-ties.

With the ease of availability of iso-butane even in places like India and Pakistan (albeit expensive), the JetBoil is the best go-anywhere, do-anything stove.

It's also way lighter and compact than any comparable stove. Over the course of three years I've had none of the issues that plague other stoves like reliability, messy fuel, unavailable fuel, or explosions. With the after-market camping kit, you can cook for a group and even simmer.

If lightweight and low volume packability rates high on your selection criteria, the Black Diamond Firstlight Tent is a great choice. Though considered a 3 season tent, I've used this in snowstorms and temps down to -30 F at 7000 meters. Considering the Firstlight packs down to the size of a football and weighs about half of its nearest rival, it might be unique as an alpine climbing shelter. It's a steal at half the price of other single wall tents. Don't expect a roomy experience especially if taller than six feet. I also wouldn't suggest this for a rainy trip, but when weight and packed volume outweigh comfort and room, this might be the only functional option available.