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Fernando Octavio Brendinberger

Snowshoer // Mountaineer // Camper/Hiker // Mountain Biker // Road Biker // Backpacker // Hiker // Sport Climber

Fernando Octavio Brendinberger: #229 of 174,454 Top 500 Gear Guru More Information

76 Reviews:

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79 Yes

47 Questions:

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39 Yes

173 Answers:

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197 Yes

2 Photos:

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2 Yes

0 Videos:

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142 Comments:

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151 Yes

8 Wishlists:

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0 Field Tests:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    The Great P.N.W.
  • Bio:

    I enjoy the great outdoors above 2000m at -15*C.

    And I'm dealing with a stalker on this website!

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Crescent Moon Neoprene OverBootie

April 18, 2010

An older pic showing a better representation of product.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Exped SIM Comfort Sleeping Pad

July 8, 2010

Is the 7.5 Deluxe really 4 inches thick?

According to their website the 10 Deluxe is 4 inches and the 7.5 Deluxe is 2.9 inches.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Stupidproof And Failsafe!!

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Deluxe Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Deluxe Sleeping Pad

Rating for this product: 5 July 2, 2010

Bought two of these to replace my old Therm-a-Rest GuideLite pad after I found a slice in it during a Jan. '0-Dark-Hundred' Winter campout at Approx -15*C. I repaired the slice with their repair kit yet the pad still had a slow leak.

If the event happened in the Summer I would have just had a lumpy, semi-sleepless night. But in Winter the pad is REQUIRED when lying on the ground so that the ground doesn't suck the body heat from you and endangering you. Where, in the Summertime, it's just a comfort measure for the most part.

The experience/lesson was very well learned for me: I will never have an inflatable pad in the Winter back country again. My trusty inflatable pad kept me comfy year-round for ten years; until it sprung a leak; in the dead of Winter no-less.

What's interesting is the similarities with the two pads: weight is about the same (680g); R-value is real close (3.1/3.4). BUT; the crucial difference: one needs to be inflated and one doesn't.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great Idea; Very Weak Material

Adventure Medical S.O.L. Thermal Bivvy Sack

Adventure Medical S.O.L. Thermal Bivvy Sack

Rating for this product: 1 July 1, 2010

Got this for its' designed use.

I tore the material while separating the Velcro!! The material feels like 'quilt' toilet paper, and it tears like it too!

The product wrapper states that it's suppose to be 30% stronger than it's predecessor. Wow.

I would not want to trust this flimsy material with keeping me warm or being handled in an emergency situation if it can't deal with being gently handled in the comfort of one's home.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Adventure Medical Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy

June 26, 2010

I plan on getting one to use as a vapor barrier liner IN the sleeping bag during winter excursions. It'll not only increase the warmth factor by approx. 15* to 20*F of the sleeping bag, it'll keep me hydrated as well. Two HUGE benefits for such an inexpensive price of the Heatsheets!

Of course, I'll use it as an emergency essential too!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Pant - Men's

June 12, 2010

What kind of elevation and/or low temperature range are these pants good for, generally speaking?

4500m? -18*C?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Excellent Pant For My Snow Adventures!

Columbia Apollo II Pant - Men's

Columbia Apollo II Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 12, 2010

Bought these for the need to have over pants for my snow shoeing fun.

The side adjustable tabs are very handy in adjusting waist for either layering under them or just wearing the pant alone.

There are two hand pockets, two back pockets, and one small, left quad pocket. In addition, there are two inner quad vent zips.

The inner, lower part of the pant has heavy Cordura material that protects that area from crampons or ski edges.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Excellent Product!

Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel

Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel

Rating for this product: 5 June 12, 2010

I gave my Scarpa Mont Blanc its' first bath.

The cleaning involved lots of desert sand, two big blobs of mac and cheese on the right boot, and a little bit of Bells Canyon mud around the outer sole. The sponge and brush did an excellent job at applying and scrubbing the boot surface.

The boots look practically brand new again!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

June 6, 2010

I think I've finally got my Mont Blanc dialed in regarding my heel seating properly:

I double sock, except on the outer sock I cut the tow box out just behind the first metatarsal head (Big toe knuckle). This set up really locks my heel in well.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Nikwax Fabric & Leather Spray Footwear Treatment

June 6, 2010

Is the bottle 4.2oz or 10oz?

The option drop-down bar says 4.2oz and the Tech Spec says 10oz :) !

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Old-Schooler Loving 21st Century Climbing Pants

Mountain Hardwear Talus Pant - Men's

Mountain Hardwear Talus Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 June 4, 2010

Wore these on two outings so far.

Incredibly comfortable via its' super lightweight and stretchy material.

On one part of the second outing, I was climbing a foot-trail that exceeded 25+ degrees angle for approx. 30m and was very impressed with how the pant felt like they weren't even on! There was virtually no resistance from the pant as I stepped (Like climbing a ladder; three rungs at a time).

I liked the pocket placement; Two on each quad. No rear pockets.

I also love the blousing straps/cords on the pant hem. It makes for a snag-less pant. As well as a drier water crossing, which I did on part of the trail. I stepped into a creek above boot-line with the pant hem cinched and tucked; absolutely no water penetration from either pant or boot!

Being an old-schooler, I'm concerned about durability because the material so thin. However, as long as I don't glissade down a long boulder face, I'm sure the pant will be fine!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Kelty Red Cloud Backpack - 5000-6650cu in

May 12, 2010

Kifaru Backpacks makes a rifle sling that is a universal set up and is a quick-draw for hunters and military operators.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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The North Face Heckler Backpack - 2050cu in

May 12, 2010

This would be an excellent school pack.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Mountain 25 Tent: 2-Person 4-Season

May 10, 2010

All three brands mentioned make awesome tried and tested expedition tents.

The real question would probably be preference such as design set up. Vestibule arraignment comes to mind.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Bombproof Tent Stakes!

MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit

MSR Groundhog Tent Stake Kit

Rating for this product: 5 May 9, 2010

Extremely strong and very lightweight tent stake.

The three-rib design really makes the difference in strength. I own two sets of these to help guy-out my MSR Stormking.

I like the leash as it helps when pulling the stakes.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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La Sportiva Trango Extreme Evo Light GTX Boot - Men's

May 3, 2010

I think yes in length, but the Nepal has a bigger toe box while the Trango Extreme appears to have a smaller toe box.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

May 3, 2010

Since you're going to the Himalayas, I wouldn't be above getting the Millet Everest because you're going to some serious elevation not to mention a serious primitive part of the world. Also, Millet sizes up to a US 15.

Remember the saying: It's easier to keep warm than to try and rewarm.

If your feet get cold up there, it's going to be hard trying to rewarm them.

Downside: $799!

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampon

May 3, 2010

BD sells long center bars on their website.

Which leads to my next questions:

What's the difference between the long center bar and the long FLEX center bar?

Which one would I put on the Sabretooth to fit my 48 boot's?

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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La Sportiva Spantik Mountaineering Boot - Men's

May 3, 2010

This boot goes up to a Euro 47, which is a US 13.

What's your street shoe size?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Excellent Boot!

La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Mountaineering Boot - Men's

La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Mountaineering Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 3, 2010

When I ordered these boots in Euro 48 I was skeptical that they would fit my wide feet because I had ordered a pair of LS Glacier in 48 and they were too narrow.

Surprise, surprise!

I was really surprised when I tried them on because they not only fit me in the toe box but my heel was nice and snug and locked in!

The lacing set up really locked my heel in and the material around the upper part of the ankle allowed foot flex.

A fascinating thing I noticed with the outer sole is that there is enough rocker in the boot to make a great back country backpacking boot yet the sole has a limit to its flex where you can feel you're on a flat board when you stand on the tips of the boots. And this makes for a great vertical climbing boot.

All and all this boot really feels like a custom-made boot for my feet.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Excellent Boot For A Bigfoot!

Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 3, 2010

Since Dec. '08 I've been looking for a mountaineering boot that fits my 12 inch by 5 inch foot.

I've finally found this boot! The Scarpa Mont Blance in Euro 48.

The first thing I noticed when I laced up the boot was the way the laces cinched up at the top of the ankles. Rather than having the lace-eye at the side of the ankle, the Mont Blanc has them at the top. At first it looked like it would provide little use but when you cinch up the laces it actually provides, IMHO, twice the leverage/lacing ability than the side lace-eye. Also, the material around the upper ankle really allows for flex of the foot.

The second thing I noticed was the room in the tow box area. Looking from the top of the boot it is easy to see that the boot is a much higher volume boot than most because of the much more rounder/blunt toe box area (Front of boot)than most other mountaineering boots.

The third, and most surprising, thing I noticed was how nice and snug my heel fit in the heel area. My LS Glacier EVO and Scarpa Summit GTX were size Euro 47 yet my heel floated much more than in my Mont Blanc 48! With the lace-cinching set up and how the heel fits, this boot really fits snug around. I replaced the thin laces with thicker laces.

The insulation is just like the Summit GTX: Thick and abundant! I would say it has approximately a third more than what the LS Nepal EVO has.

Having put approximately fifteen city-miles in them, these boots feel as close to custom-made as one can get for an off-the-shelf boot. My toes don't feel tight yet don't slide forward; Surprisingly, my heel fit very snug for such a large boot (Ideally, I wear a US 12 6E and these boot are a US 14); I have enough room to wear a thick sock combo and still not have my toes feel squished.

Compared to the LS Nepal EVO, the Mont Blanc is built a little more sturdier; which I'm sure means more weight.

A really helpful amenity is the nylon loops on the back of the boot and on the 'twin tongues'. It helps hold the boot open when you slide your foot in.

Are there any cons? The only thing I can think of is; The Mont Blanc doesn't have triple-stitching in the exterior heel area like on the Summit GTX. However, a rubber rand (Grey band) covers much higher on the boot heel area.

Also, I wish the Mont Blanc were 'Penn State' blue like the Manta GSB and not the 'Boise State' Mango Orange :) !

Helpful Votes: 6 Yes

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Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

April 30, 2010

Is that UK 13.5 or US 13.5?

If it's UK 13.5 then it's really is US 14.5.

If you're US 13.5 then I would probably start with La Sportiva Baruntse because they run in Euro size 48, 49, and 50. The reason why I suggest this boot is because it's a serious non-plastic double-boot that's in your size and I'm WAG'ing you're either a size 49 or a 50.

The down side: They're $600!!

My foot measures 12 inches by 5 inches and I wear a Euro 48.

You and I are in the 5 percentile of the shoe/boot world.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded Down Jacket - Women's

April 25, 2010

You ask an incredibly ambiguous question!

One extreme: Properly dressed in layers(Including a vapor barrier top, bottom, and skullcap), -40*C isn't unreasonable.

-18*C is more on par with the masses, though.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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The North Face Classic Denali Fleece Jacket - Women's

April 23, 2010

They just finished a 20% off sale!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Incredibly Detailed Book!

Book: Mt. Rainier - A Climbing Guide

Book: Mt. Rainier - A Climbing Guide

Rating for this product: 5 April 22, 2010

The first half of the book is spent on history, safety and survival, weather, glaciers, health, avalanches, and planning a climb.

It spends the second half on everything involving Mt. Rainer approaches.

It has tons of real aerial pics with routes high-lighted. It also explains what to expect throughout the season in regards to snow pack and dealing with glaciers in late summer, etc.

Very detailed throughout!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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The North Face Hedgehog GTX XCR Shoe - Men's

April 20, 2010

How wide?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Jetboil Helios Cooking System

April 19, 2010

Does this stove work as well at altitude and/or extreme low temperatures as the MSR XGK EX stove?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Brunton Atmospheric Data Center Pro

April 15, 2010

Where is the other half of the buckle that's attached to the Data Center?

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Suunto X6HRM Stainless Steel Heart Rate Monitor Watch

April 14, 2010

Dumb question:

Does it tell the time?!!

The tech spec lists everything but not the time function!

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Suunto Vector HR Altimeter Watch

April 14, 2010

There a pic of a climber on the Mt. Everest summit showing the altitude with his Suunto watch!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Comfortable Sock While They Lasted

SmartWool PhD Ski Medium Sock

SmartWool PhD Ski Medium Sock

Rating for this product: 3 April 14, 2010

Bought these to add to my wool arsenal.

Very comfortable; extra padding in the shin/front ankle area.

The problem is that the heel wore out after one season!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiter - Men's

April 14, 2010

OR doesn't make them in XXL, per se.

However, XL's are made to fit over plastic boots so they are actually XXL and should fit your needs.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiter - Men's

April 14, 2010

XL's are sized to fit over plastic boots for people wearing size Euro 46 and up.

If they are for leather boots in said sizes, go with an L.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiter - Men's

April 14, 2010

That's one thing I've learned about Backcountry.com: Keep checking back for inventory updates. They're always restocking.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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MSR Flex 4 Pot Set

April 14, 2010

Has anyone used the 5.3L pot with the XGK EX stove?

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great Product!

Superfeet Premium Insole - Men's

Superfeet Premium Insole - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 April 14, 2010

Bought a set of these to go with my also new Scarpa Mont Blanc.
However my Mont Blanc are on back-order so I road-tested them with my Scarpa Summit GTX.

Compared to a pair of Sole Ed Viesturs footbed:
1) The first thing I noticed was the the Superfeet are wider in the toe box area (A big plus for me!).

2) The heel area is a little narrower. Not a big deal.

3) The Superfeet doesn't have quite the arch support as the Sole footbed have. Not that big of a deal to me.

4) The Superfeet tend to have a tad more cushion/shock absorption. Definitely a plus!

I very happy with them, especially the wider toe-box area. Very comfortable footbed!

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Katadyn Hiker Water Microfilter

April 13, 2010

Did Katadyn improve the filter when they bought it from PUR?

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Osprey Packs Argon 85 Backpack - 5100-5500cu in

April 13, 2010

For men: Sleeping bag and lightweight stuff on the bottom; heaviest stuff (Tent, water bladder, food) high and near your back, and all the rest packed around the the heavy items.

Helpful Votes: 7 Yes

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Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

April 13, 2010

Thanks for the reply, Jefe!

Hopefully these boots will fit better than my Summit GTX.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Scarpa Mont Blanc GTX Boot - Men's

April 11, 2010

It sounds like your heel is not seated enough in the boot. The heel is lifting up.

1) Try an after market footbed.

2) Tighten your laces a little more.

3) Double up on the socks.

I have the same problem as you do in regards to heel lifting. Experiment with different combo's of the above-mentioned.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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The North Face VE 25 Tent 3-Person 4-Season

April 9, 2010

The reason this tent would be great in hot weather is the same reason it's great in the Winter: Insulation qualities.

The tent fly creates an insulation barrier between the outside and inside air. A layer of dead air as insulation just like a jacket.

The big question is weight. If you're a 4-season camper and only want to buy one tent, then this tent would fit the bill.

If you are concerned about weight, there are tents that are less than half the weight that will accomplish that same insulation effect.

I own an MSR Storm King that holds 5 and I use it year round. The down side is that it weighs 15lbs packed and costs $1000!

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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The North Face VE 25 Tent 3-Person 4-Season

April 9, 2010

My definition is that a 3-person expedition tent is really a 2-person tent in that you really want a little elbow room in the tent because sometimes you're stuck in them until the weather clears. And that could mean days!!

In an emergency, they could hold as many as 5 or 6 if needed.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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The North Face VE 25 Tent 3-Person 4-Season

April 9, 2010

Absolutely!!

That's part of what makes it an expedition tent; to deal with high altitude high winds.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Marmot 8000M Down Parka - Men's

April 9, 2010

Surprisingly, I found that a ripstop nylon tape repair kit works great. I used an REI kit on my down jacket and it's holding up great, even through a machine wash and tumble dry.

However, matching the color is pretty much out the window.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

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Great Pot Set!

MSR Flex 3 Pot Set

MSR Flex 3 Pot Set

Rating for this product: 5 April 8, 2010

Got this set for the sole purpose of melting Rockie Mountain snow.

Light weight. Very sturdy handle.

The strainer holes in the lid are great when separating soup fluid for hot drinks when I use the small pot!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy

April 8, 2010

According to the above description the bivy sack is 84" long.

You're 6'-1"=73"

84"-73"=11"

11" of 'open' space.

The answer to your question, IMHO, would be 'yes'.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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