Matt

This kit works great. I had to do a field expedient battery change and stripped out the plastic slot so badly that I couldn't reinstall it and seal my watch. This replaces the back piece and battery.

These boots fit great. Make sure you get them big enough to fit comfy socks. They have a great Achilles Tendon support in the liner, and fit snug and secure. Haven't broke the walk mode yet, but most of the reviews say it'll happen. The BOA lacing is really really awesome. So easy, even with gloves on. Hard to find the Dynafit sole pieces for the green color, BD said they weren't expected in stock until Winter. I use them with Fritschi's for AT.

These glasses are really large. They provide good coverage, but you do look like a Sherpa wearing glacier glasses from the old days. They block a lot of light, but aren't polarized. Fit securely with bend earpieces (wrap all the way behind ear) and are lightweight. At the end of the day, I have no reason to take my Oakley Half Jackets off in favor of these.

These gloves are really good as a start out glove, until things get really nasty. Takes bite out of wind, but doesnt get you too hot like a shell. They are good for inside mittens or as glove liners as well.

These gloves are amazing. The black ones come with red liners which are nimble enough to work most devices and carabiners, but the shells make them bomber. Super warm and waterproof. Maybe the best gloves on the market, and am a BD brand loyalist.

This stove is super easy to light, burns hot, and is great for going light and fast. Just pack stuff to eat that only needs hot water or slight heating and you are good to go. We carried way too much fuel with us on a recent Rainier trip, and didn't even go through a little bottle in two days.

Good plastic boots for mountaineering/ice climbing. Wore them in the 'Dacks for countless adventures and were never let down. Very waterproof, especially with good gaiter.

Koflach boots are awesome. I had to buy some used on ebay because they werent making them anymore, best double, plastic outer, bootie boot out there. No one is really selling them used though, because they are so great. Warm and waterproof. Still great for tough ice climbing and glacial cramponning.

Used for car camping, just used a tarp for footprint, cause I hadn't gotten the actually BD footprint for it. Thought the mesh was nice for ventilation, but the fly was really great and kept the rain off all night. This is a single layer tent, but the layer pulls on and off the mesh. Pretty easy to assemble ( I did it by myself in the dark) and light to pack in a pack. Got it for a deal on SAC. Mine is the yellow standard BD tent color, it looks more green in the pic.

Had three of us in this on Rainier, and it worked great. Packs light, sets up fast (with rehearsal). We did have to seal it ourselves in the garage a few weeks before trip, but at least we knew the seams were solid. Holding 4 and gear would be really cozy, three was pretty comfy with mountaineering gear.

Got this after doing some tossing and turning between Yakima and Thule. This rack was great right outta the box, easy to install and though at first I questioned whether it would not wobble while riding, I made it from Georgia to Washington with two bikes on and no issues. It actually has a threaded bolt for putting through your hitch, that allows the mount to snug up to the side of the hitch wall with a 1/2" ratchet and becomes very sturdy, then a safety cotter pin to hold it on. I own a Ridgeline and it would drop far enough to let the tailgate go down, but not to open like a door (only on Ridgeline). I even dropped the rack to get in my tailgate with two bikes on (manufacture says not to) and it held the bikes fine. Super sturdy and who doesnt love the convenient red bottle openers on the tips of the bike bar.

Done a lot of hiking in this pack, carrying around 30lbs.and it has just held up great. Comfortable around my waist and on my shoulders and has great lanyards on all zippers for easy use with gloves. Could use a built in rainfly like most Deuter models, but you can get an accessory one from Osprey easy enough. Great for a summit attempt in the lower 48.

Works just like everyone's old ATC, but you can bring up two seconds in the autolock mode and it has the ridged side for extra friction if you are rapelling with a pack or in a rescue situation. Just awesome advance as far as ATCs go. Often imitated never duplicated. Trick: put a runner girth hitched through the other hole when in autolock mode, to assist in unlocking it if your second gets stuck on the crux and needs lowered.

I love my Koflach. Found them on ebay, I wear the lesser "Degre" model, because at the time no one would part with their priceless Arctis Expe, but now a new company has revived the Koflach molds and is making great double boots again. Great for ice climbing, automatic crampons, and all in all warmth and comfort. Great boot for all conditions.

This helmet is great. I have a big head (7 1/2") and it fits fine even with a beanie underneath. I prefer to just wear a balaclava under to reduce bulk and for heat venting. Used it for sport, trad, and alpine climbing, though it doesnt have the plugs for the vents, like the Ecrin Roc does to keep rain/ice out, but that never really helped keep me dry in my Ecrin Roc. Headlamps clips work great, never been hit with anything wearing it, but if its Petzl, you know its well tested.

I've hike a lot, both in the Appalachians, and in the Tetons and these poles have lasted. They are so easy with the flik-lok, I'm not that tall (5'9") and I like to have them set to about 120cm, so they are just right. They support my weight while hiking and on the descent and are my first set, and have made such a difference. I used to look down on trek pole users, but after using these extensively, I am a believer. They compact well, and standard BD powder baskets allow them to work great in snow. My buddy tells me that you can ski with them, though I have not done it yet.

I cannot wear this shirt enough. I bought it for a Rainier attempt, but now I wear it all the time, the zip allows for easy venting and I wore it right over my skin for great wicking and quick dry. It has held up well after days and days of use and is a great layer to put on over a t-shirt on a rock climbing day. I was wavering between capilene or merion baselayer, but am super impressed with this one, and it costs a lot less than wool. Buy 2!

Sure you can pay a lot more for merino, but these hold up great. They are lightweight and super soft, and are either warm or cool depending on how you need them to be. They wick great, and dry super fast. I wore the bottoms after it got a little cold for just my Marmot softshell pants and they did the trick. They are skinny around the ankles too, so great for not being bulky around your boot/sock line.

Had this jacket on Rainier last summer, in drizzle and snow, kept me dry and warm. Nice zippers, well sealed and well cut. I got the orange color and it is really noticeable and cool looking. Hood fit well both with and without a helmet on.