From bigwalls to high angle video shoots these have been my go to ascenders, and they have seen some serious miles. These are faster to take on and off the rope then the Petzl's and I feel like you can move up the rope a tad faster as well. Also, they are indestructable!!!

AWESOME

Took a pair of these to Nepal for Ice Climbing and was SUPER IMPRESSED. I feel like Scarpa is making the best mountain boots in the business right now.

This is the perfect shoe to clip to your harness for the long descent off of a multi pitch climb..... Great Yosemite Descent Shoe. Maybe not the most supportive for Heavy Loads, but great for there intended use... carrying up to get down..... And they climb better any other approach shoe I have used.

This is the bomb for top rope anchors, and I always have some handy if I'm doing a first ascent.... And Bluewater is an American Family owned company, with a lot of good people working there.. support the goodness.

This is the best rope I have ever used. I swear this thing is more durable then most 10mm ropes I have used, and yet is Significantly lighter.....!!!.... when you get to the end of a 60 meter pitch you will appreciate it. Also, it should be mentioned that BlueWater has the best dry treatment in the industry..... All the fibers are dry treated not just the sheath, so you if you ice, alpine or rain climb..... this is the ROPE!!! Also, an often neglected feature ..... HANDLING. This rope just feeds and feels great. I have literally taken this rope around the world and am of the opinion that it is the best rope in the world. Also, Bluewater is the only American family owned rope company... which is refreshing in this day and age. Every rope is made in America and every inch of every rope they make is inspected by hand.... that's pretty cool, considering this is your LIFELINE.

Black Diamond took a great belay device and made it BAD ASS!!!! I think this is the best Belay Device going....Light, and versatile... This thing will conserve a lot of energy on multi pitch climbs, if you use it's auto blocking feature, and this will make multi tasking and de-clustering a lot easier. I love this thing.

This is probably The North Faces best long distance trail running shoe, and is Neutral, yet supportive, and it's breathable and light. This is also a great light hiking shoe. I'm psyched on my Singletracks.

This is one of the best photo bags out there, and it's amazing what you can fit. I fit a full sized prosumer video camera, and a 5d mark ii with lenses, and a 15 inch laptop in this thing... and still have room for random doodads. Also this has a lot of great strapping options so you can carry a tripod and what not.... I've had this things so loaded with gear it was hard to pick up..... and it's BOMBER... great design and construction... you won't be bummed on this purchase.

Solid performer for your layering system, and I like that it's kind of understated and low key for how high performance it is.

Bluewater's dry treatment is the best I've ever used.

No other rope company comes close to the Bluewater's double dry treatment, and if you are using these for ice, you will definitely appreciate this. This is not just a topical dry treatment like most companies that wears off after a couple of sessions.... this is treatment permeates the core of the rope, making for a WAY BETTER dry treatment. These ropes aren't just for iceclimbing though, they are great for Alpine climbing when you need two ropes to get back down, or for other double rope techniques. Best of All, Bluewater is an American Made, and Family owned company, so you know that your money is going. Bluewater has the best quality control in the business, and every inch of every ropes is hand inspected before it goes out the door. Bluewater makes hands down the best ropes on the planet.

This is the best 9.7 on the market. Bluewater Ropes are known for their safety, durability and most importantly their SOFT CATCH. I swear by these ropes and love the fact that Bluewater is an American Made, and Family Owned Company, which is a rarity these days! Also, Bluewater has the best quality control in the business and hand inspects every inch of rope that goes out their door. If you want one rope that does it all, look no further.

Bluewater has been ahead of the game for a long time, and you will not find a more durable, and smoother handling rope than the Eliminator. Also this is one of the softest catches on the market with a great fall rating. Bluewater sets the bar for quality control, and every inch of every rope they produce is HAND INSPECTED. And, best of all, Bluewater is the only FAMILY OWNED, AMERICAN MADE rope company on the market, so you can feel good about where your money is going. Not only is this the best rope in the world, it's made by good people here at home.

This is a sweet shirt that's super functional/breathable, but also kind of stylish. You could pretty much mountain bike, climb and go to the bar in this thing!! It's just a shirt, but it's a really nice shirt.

This is a really versatile tent, that does the job without being overly designed and ultra confusing to set up. In fact this tent sets up lightning fast, and I use it all the time for that reason. When you roll in at night and have to set up the bivy, you are really going to appreciate this tents utilitarian simplicity. And, when it's a warm starry night but the mosquitos are in a blood sucking fervor, your going to really appreciate all that mesh.

O.K. If you are heading up on the gnar in Yosemite, Pakistan, Baffin or beyond you need these....period. But when you get there... you realize you forgot the can opener!!! Dope!!! Well have no fear get out the wall hammer and beat that can of mystery meat into submission. They really ought to mention this in the product description.

These are my go to bar. I like the salty sweet mix and even when it's a two a.m. alpine start and I'm a bundle of nauseous nerves, the mojo sounds delicious!!! Also, major props to a Clif for sourcing as many organic ingredients as possible. My body isn't exactly a temple but every healthy little bit helps!!!

I use one for a toiletry bag and it suits the purpose quite well. Nothing more durable then the "basecamp" and the daisy loops mean you can clip it to the inside of the tent!

This is a totally waterproof jacket that is lighter than most windbreakers. Now you have no excuse not to bring a rain jacket with you on your next epic adventure. It might be bluebird now, but you never know!!! For those who are fans of the uber-light high-tech "Holy Grail" type products I think this is the bomb!!!

I encourage people to go for this the recycled version of this jacket, to encourage TNF and the whole industry to try to use as much recycled material as possible in their product line!!!! You'll be warm, and have warm fuzzies!!!

I've been using one of these for carrying my passport, tickets and other documents for quite some time, and as far as I can tell, this thing will last forever!!!! Made from the same indestructible material as the base camp duffle.... I have the red one which makes it hard to lose....because who wants to lose their passport!!!

Great fit....powerstretch is the bomb for a liner, or a lightweight breathable glove for high action. I always have a pair of these with me for alpine climbing!

I've been using one of these as my carry on and I really love it. It's simple and utilitarian, yet kind of sleek and sexy looking compared to most carry ons, and it's amazing how much I can fit in it. Yesterday I swear I carried on fifty pounds of electronics in this bad boy, which made it cruxy to lift into the overhead, but allowed me to forego checking a bag!!! The unzippable gasket is really cool for when you realize you are carrying home more than you left with!!! The red wheels and red handle are cool looking and bomber!!! This is a SWEET carry on!!!

Just climbed the Rostrum yesterday in these and I love them. Great fit, and that one percent of elastane give them just enough stretch for highstepping. I think these are the perfect mix of durable without being overly bulky, and they are super comfortable! Definitely a great offwidth cimbing pant if you are into that kind of thing.

I've been running a pair of these for my eyeglasses. I really love them, they are kind of iconic and retro and super well built. Not to mention way cheaper than most cool frames at the optometrist! These have really stood the test of time!

O.K. maybe they won't give you a bavarian accent and biceps the size of tree trunks, with out a whole lot of weight lifting and a trip to bavria, but This is the most meal like clif bar out there, and after a good workout, there is plenty of protein to get those muscles rebuilding for another round of abuse!!!

I concur with Matt, these aren't just a ladies bar, they are great for men who are comfortable with their masculinity! It's not like they are packed with estrogen and going to raise your voice and make you grow woman parts or something!!! They are delicious!!!

O.K. I'm a sucker for these dipped bars. If your out and active all day, plastered to the side of some huge, heinous, horrorshow of a climb, it's really hard to eat enough food, but if you have something that sounds delicious even when your stomach is nervously churning, then it's all going to be o.k. I actually like that they are a bit smaller than the classic clif bar, which can be a bit filling on the side of a wall!!

I can only imagine how many gazillions of awesome athletic feats have been achieved powered by these delicious bars, not to mention awesome achievements in the professional world! If I'm in the alpine, it's two in the morning, and I'm all jittery, nervous, and not ready for a big breakfast, I combine one of these with my morning espresso, and call it breakfast. There are a lot of delicious flavors and Clif Bar is a really great company that tries to source quality organic ingredients....and your not going to break your teeth off if it is cold!!!

O.K. I love these things. Not only are they delicious, they are a huge help for keeping your electrolytes up and your workouts cramp free....just be sure to follow up with water!! I prefer these over Clif Shots usually, because you can microdose yourself one at a time, keeping those blood sugar levels nice and even. Couple that with the fact that Clif is a really cool company that does it's best to source organic ingredients that you can pronounce and these are a great choice for fueling your next epic!!!

If I'm going to be micro edging for my life, these are my shoes of choice, and once they are broken in a bit, they really strike the perfect balance between smearability and edgineering. Go to europe for a sport climbing trip, and you'll see these things all over the place!

Oh Anasazis, you are the best
With you on my feet on dime edges I rest
In fact I can stand on a tenth of a dime
I'll love you Verdes until the end of all time
While others struggle I calmly stand up
So to you precious Verdes, I raise my cup!
Your my secret weapon for ultra tech gnar
Nobody else's rubber is even close to on par
So if you want to edge on invisible feet
Five Ten Verdes are impossible to beat!

While this pad is spendy, it is hands down the most comfortable sleeping pad I've ever rested my weary bones on, and I've spent a lot of time in the dirt on a lot of different pads. Would I take this into the back country? Heck No... !! But...for throwing down in Camp Four or any other frontcountry scrap of dirt, this is The Pad!!! No more tossing and turning, sore shoulders, and half assed nights of sleep!!! This is more comfortable then half the motels I've slept in!!! Enjoy a solid night of R.E.M.!!! Buenos Noches!!!

Psyched TNF finally came out with a nice flat brimmed hat. I like the black one with the green logo personally.

If you like to throw down in grassy mosquito ridden meadows on a warm summer evening and actually sleep through the night, the debug becomes nothing short of the holy grail!!!

Shout out to Renan for designing this awesome shirt for The North Face. Really cool to be wearing an original piece of art!!! I especially like the look of the green shirt! Comfy, cool, keeper. This shirt will make you a sex symbol, improve your I.Q., and give you super human powers!!!

I consider this to be the best base layer I have ever worn, in terms of fit, performance, and comfort..., and I have worn a lot of base layers!!! The zip is perfect for a little venting. Wear this in combination with a powerstretch layer, an insulated jacket like the redpoint, and a waterproof breathable shell...and you are ready to get your alpine ninja on!!! HEEEEEEYYYYYYYYAGHHHH

Bling Bling Vapor Locks your are so stylish and sleek.
That's why with you I like to roll deep.
But it's not just for glitz and the glamour that you serve
Lets talk about the countless lives you've helped me preserve
I clip you with glee to my belay device
And with you catch big whippers so soft and so nice
Lets face it All lockers do about the same thing
But you do it with the most golden glittering bling
But it's not just your shine it's also your form
Your well thought out far from the norm
From anchors to belays to water bottle toting
You are so beautiful you should be gloating.

I've used these babies for years when I need a light weight pair of shoes for descending. I've come down from El Cap several times in them, and I can tell you that you will really appreciate how light they are when you clip them to your harness and then climb thirty pitches. I prefer other shoes for epic hiking approaches, but I've even been known to do the epic hike in a more burly pair of shoes and then pull these out of the pack for the climb and descent. They are also pretty solid for moderate fifth class, and I have seen people climb solid five twelve in them. These are definitely a specialty shoe, and I would stay away from snow in them... but for anyone serious about keeping it light these are the best shoes hands down for descending from those iconic formations like El Cap and Half Dome. Clip it to your harness and forget about it.

Oh B.D. Micro stoppers infused with brass
You are nothing short of Totally Kick Ass
Your always with me when I'm out on a caper
Your there for me when the cracks are thin as a paper
Some people shiver but my eyes just gleam
When ahead lies nothing but a miniscule seam
I have no reason to fear
When I've got you hear
Yes right on my gear loop you wait in a set
Oh BD Micros you are a sure fire bet
Sometimes I'll even resort to the two and the one
but I try not to whip because it wouldn't be fun
But when I whittle in a good number three
I know it is bomber and this gives me glee
How many sad stories end with and then it got thin
But I didn't have micros and so couldn't win
I don't ever want to sing that sad lonesome tune
So I always have micros when I shoot for the moon
You've saved me from abrasions, sprains and even broken legs
That's why to you Micros I owe oh so much thanks.
Thank you Micros thank you.... I love you you are my bestest friend
My love for you knows no bounds, borders nor even an end.
So one more time micros get on my rack
And lets go sketch out up a micro thin crack.

Oh BD stopper I'm so glad I met her
She proves that simpler is usually better
From number one all the way up to thirteen
The sleek sexy stopper is always my queen
It's hard to say her greatest contribution
But I'd have to say the Clean Climbing Revolution
No longer were pin scars a necessary evil
Instead into a crack a stopper you could weasel
How many falls have been arrested by you?
More than I can remember, that's why my loves true.
And it's not just on the way up that your treat me well.
You also are there when it's time to rappel.
How many of you I've left in the mountains?
So many that I can't even count them.
So... I'll scream it from the summit with zealous conviction
She is the best pro for any constriction.
While some times I must flirt with one cam or two
When I run out ... that's when her loves true.
She's lighter and righter and backs up thin sizes
For the lovely stopper my heart heaves and rises.
Some times at the end of a pitch she's all that I've got
And then at the anchor she happily slots.
I hope that I've made my passion clear
With out my beautiful stoppers I wouldn't be here.

The gray triple zero is worth it's weight in gold and is oh so sweet for uber thin cracks...at first I wasn't sure about these tcus and then I started putting them to the test and found them easy to place, and great for both free and aid. They are stiff enough that you can literally stab them in if you are pumped and desperate!!! I especially like the double and triple zeros and on a recent first ascent in Indian Creek plugged several in a row!!! Great addition to the rack...especially the three smallest sizes.

I would put the elysium somewhere between a "down sweater" and nuptse puffy. You'll be hard pressed to find a jacket that is so warm and yet so packable and light. The elysium has a slightly more sleek fit then some puffy jackets which makes it perfect for those who take their layering seriously..

This is THE Classic North Face Down Jacket, and has a certain understated utilitarian style that I love. I feel like this jacket is the perfect weight for your average winter conditions, and the construction is bomb squad. There is a reason that this jacket has been on the market for so long, it's because it's so well thought out and I would go so far as to say, one of best down jackets ever made and...undeniably, the jacket that to this day, every one copies. I really like the blue and black combo.

This jacket is EXTREMELY WARM. You won't find a better jacket for the fully himalayan gnar. You could pretty much lay down and take a nap in this thing on a below freezing day! It's extremely durable and has the highest quality down known to human kind. Next time you find your self at 8000 meters...look around....some one up there is probably wearing this jacket. If you are serious about the alpine gnar....this is your jacket...but it also will make you look baller and keep you toasty if you live in a cold climate. Wear it in the mojave desert in the summer and lose ten pounds in ten minutes.

Oh BD Camalot You are the one!
You make hard cracks oh so much fun.
When I plug you it brings me a grin
Whether the crack is gaping or thin
For finger stack cranks relentless and mean
I whip out my lovely point seven five green
And when thin hands are what lies ahead
I quickly whip out the number one red
If it's knee locks, stacks and other heinous tricks
That's when I pull out the trusty five and six
It's hard to say what's my favorite size
but my big fingers fit nicely in purple point fives
And some times cupped hands bring me pure glee
That's when I bust out the blue number three
But probably when I feel the most uber bold
Is when I'm in hands and plug in the gold
Some might say my obsession is strange
But I say show me a cam with this build and range
There's a reason crack ninjas carry this gear
It's because nothing's better...year after year.
And all the bad ass aid climbers say it as well
The Camalot is the last piece of gear that they'd sell.
Geniusly double axled, single stemmed, sexy and sleek
Oh Camalot I'd marry you any day of the week.

magnesium carbonate you are the bomb
you absorb my sweat when I can't keep my calm
I tried all the brands but you are the best
Not to fine and slippy...your the perfect mesh
When I get pulled over, the cops get suspicious
They eyeball me hard and say "what the hell is this?"
I say that my friend is pure white gold
This usually doesn't help they say "hands up and do as your told"
That's when I explain to their consternation
that this white stuff is for soaking up perspiration
I show them my chalk bag and give them a taste
That's when they know their time is a waste
But no matter what trouble you might bring
Chalk oh chalk, you will always be my queen
From tickmarks to slopers to crimpers to jugs
Chalk I want to give you Kisses and Hugs.

Daisy Daisy....your the one for me
I use you to hold my aiders When the pitch won't go free
your myriad loops are are adjustable bliss
You give so many options I want to give you a kiss
On multi-pitch adventures you anchor me in
There's so many places you and I have been
I just girth you on and embrace the stone
Oh Daisy oh Daisy never leave me alone.
and Some times in a pinch when the aid is intense
I use three of you for Back Up Defense
Some like adjustable but your tried and true
WIth you my sweet daisy there nothing I can't do

They call you Fi Fi, why I'm not sure
But in my heart you will always endure
You my secret weapon when I climb with speed
Oh FiFi, Oh FiFi, your useful indeed.
For top stepping to reach a fare off piece
And then being able to quickly release
There's no comparing you to a simple biner
Your less manly sounding, but meaner and leaner.
So Fi Fi, my sweet, this poem is for you
To my heart you'll always be true.
From hard aid climbing, to napping on lead
Your the the tool that gives me godspeed.

Aider Aider, Your so sweet
You feel so good beneath my feet
I clip you on and take the lead
Because bird beaks just can't be freed
Sometimes when the placements are far away
I have to top step you... Etrier
From A1 all the way up to A6b
Your the only aider for me
With you your help I slam a pin
into cracks fingernail thin
On the rock or on my jugs
Oh aider kisses and hugs
Your my aider but your more than that
Your my one way ticket up El Cap.
What I mean to say Aider is your the one
That makes aid climbing sort of fun.

This really is the best fast and light tent out there. Super light super low profile for setting up on sloping snow ledges etc. Super Water proof, Super Bad Ass.

I'm not exactly an ice ninja, but I do know that this is the best tool I have ever used. And it seems like this tool has a religious following for a good reason. They swing like a dream, with the right balance of heavy enough to get a good stick, but light enough to not tire your arms out over a long day, and you can mix climb pretty hard in them. The carbon fiber is AWESOME, and dampens the vibration to your hands. In technical terms this ice tool is the SHIZNIT!!!

Want to make your rack lighter.... buy a bunch of these. I went from hotwires to OZs on my rack last year and it was like clipping helium balloons to my harness. It really is amazing how much weight these biners shave. I also find these on quickdraws as the ultimate onsite biner for hard sport routes. Compare twelve of these quickdrawed against a heavier set up of standard biners and it's pretty shocking how much lighter they feel. Of equal importance, this biner handles really well, and is super clippable. There are some lighter products out there but you are going to run into clipping issues, quality issues, and you might be scratching your head wondering if you actually clipped your keychain to the rack! Seriously though...I think this is the best biner ever made...that's my opinion. I would marry this carabiner.

For Alpine style climbing, this jacket is top of the line. The strength to weight ratio is perfect. Considering my shell piece will spend a lot of time in the pack on big climbs, and usually comes out only when the SH*# hits the fan I need it to be light. This Jacket is light and yet DURABLE. The hood fits over your helmet, which is crucial. The pockets are designed to be functional with a harness on which is HUGE. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, the Gore-Tex Pro is the holy grail of water proof breathable fabric right now, and has a little bit of stretch which is VERY NICE. I personally think this is one of the most high performance shells out there. This is a sports car, not a station wagon.

Man has it been cold in Boulder this winer...but I've been staying toasty warm in my Tahoe. This Jacket is really bomber. The outer shell is super solid...you can rough this jacket up a bit and everything will be just fine. The hood is super warm and I think for the uber cold weather, it's pretty invaluable. The fleecy pockets are luxurious. This jacket is built to last.. Which I find to be a very endearing quality. The perfect belay jacket, but also perfect for any stop and go activity where you want to stay warm between spurts of action. I also have found it's exception for a warm hop between bars on cold brisk blustery evening.

I've pretty much lived in this layer for the last year. I think it's perfect for cold weather climbing....on those days when you can see your breath and you strip out of your down jacket and jump on the rock as quickly as possible this is my climbing layer. If it's the kind of day when you are putting hand warmers in your chalk bag to keep your finger from numbing out this might be for you. I also run in this jacket and find it's the right weight for cold weather running, but doesn't create too much bulk around the arms as to restrict, and I mountain bike in this jacket for similar reasons. I love thumb loops and this baby has them. It's kind of like a vest, it's kind of like a long sleeve synthetic...but it is it's own unique thing. The eco friendly insulation is surprisingly warm around the core yet you can get your heart rate up and the sweat seems to breathe away... I believe TNF actually won some awards for this piece due to it's rather innovative DNA.

I tested the heck out of this jacket in Patagonia and have to say it is the perfect alpine climbing piece. The fit is a little more form fitting then some jackets, but this is great for layering, creating less bulk. One of the coolest things about this jacket is the streamlined power stretch around the arms which really give this jacket added mobility and packability. This is one of the few down jackets I've actually comfortably climbed in thanks to the added mobility in the arms. This brings me to another great feature of this jacket, it packs down really small and yet with the top of the line 800 fill down is surprisingly warm. With a medium weight poly pro, a lightweight powerstretch hoody, a wind breaker topped with a lightweight goretex jacket layering system, I felt like I cold weather the nastiest of the gnar but still stuff it all in a little bullet pack and charge for the summit. Also I like the look of this jacket, it's a little space age, which is fun... I think it might turn head at the bar for added bonus points to your investment!! While Jonathan complained about sizing at 5 foot 10 and about 155 pounds I found the medium fits me perfectly...if that helps you with sizing. Anyways, the point of all this is...I think the crimptastic is drastically bombastically fantastic. Cheers.

In the past I would buy a battery once in country for my expeditions. When I was in Pakistan, our porter wasn't informed that the battery was in his pack and it got tipped over and battery acid went everywhere. This is a much simpler, more elegant and less volatile solution to your power storage solution on expeditions or anywhere that you depend on solar to power your electronics.

How do I love you Sling...let me count the ways.
You've always been there for me over the days
You catch my falls
And extend so well
When I don't have big balls
I use you to bail.
Some call you a runner
I call you a friend
I use you to cut rope drag
When I climb round a bend.
You're the perfect combination
Of Light and Strong
You improve my belay station
With you I can't go wrong!
I love you sling...
Marry me
We will sing
With Joy and Glee!
Over the shoulder
or as a quickdraw
Youre the best sling
That I ever saw.

If you are a bit clumsy with your electronics like me...this could save you an expensive mistake...great little laptop sleeve with some extra pockets for extra shtuff!!! YEAHYAHH.

O.K....it's just a flip flop but the egg crate foam is uber comfortable and these things last forever....These are the bombdiggity to use a technical term!

These shoes are exceptionally comfy and I think pretty styley as well. Also..I've had a pair for about a year and they are holding up well. Great clubbing, cruising the streets chillin with the homies shoe.

I took this to Rio and it kept me amazingly warm on the white sandy beaches. Also it is a great fashion statement...seriously though...if you are wearing this you probably are thinking about how much oxygen to bring! This is like a four season sleeping bag with arms and legs...the gold standard...from what I've heard.!

If you are going to be hiking in inclement conditions these are a great pant. If you are going to be climbing in them size them a little bigger.

I wore a pair of these up Raphael in Patagonia this year with a pair of medium weight wool long underwear and they fit the bill perfectly. As a stand a lone pant they are great for hiking, bouldering, or bigwalling in Yosemite. These pants are super light....dry out amazingly fast if soaked and repel water up to a certain point. Great do it all pants for the climber, trekker, or traveler.

This a great do it all harness...from sport to to trad to multi-pitch affairs...this harness will do you proud. The gear loops are quite clippable...you have a full strength tag line loop in the back, and thanks to the the new single piece construction this is very well may be the most comfortable harness for it's weight...EVER. The bottom line is this harness is bad ass!!!

If you are going to own one pad...this should be it. For the highball addict this is your ankle insurance, and confidence booster. With twice the thickness and area of a normal pad this means less chance of breaking a leg or ankle by taking a huge fall or missing the pad. While it's not exactly fast and light and you have to be careful not to sprain an ankle on the tall edges of the pad, for a Highballer or person who boulders without spotters, this is worth it's weight in ankle bones It also makes an excellent bed!!!

This head lamp is so bright you can see the future, and burn holes in brick walls.... Seriously though..I used and abused one of these for several months in South America and it's still ticking....even got it super soaked in a rainstorm and it managed to survive...a solid design....and potentially a life saver!!! Woohoo!!

I really love this biner for the bottom end of quickdraws...this combined with a dynotron on the bolt end equals the best quickdraw I have ever used. The perfect mix of lightweight and easy clipping goodness and from an aesthetic standpoint...the green looks bad ass! The rope practically jumps in the draw...WOO HOO buy a gaggle!!!

When you are sport climbing...these aren't just quickdraws...sometimes they are handles. Often they are the biggest hold on the route. You don't want those skinny draws when you are dogging a route...they make lousy handles, and wear out a lot quicker.

If you are into first ascents, or aid climbing, or want to make it back to the ground safely on a big alpine climb, there is no arguing the value of the good old fashioned piton. When I'm heading up a big first ascent in the mountains I like to have a few blades, a few arrows and most importantly a handful of baby angles on the rack. I can't say enough about how useful baby angles are for creating solid rappel anchors, or establishing a bomber piece of whipper catching pro in a funky crack where a solid cam is next to impossible to place. If you need these things....you really need them. If you are doing nail ups on el cap....you really need them...if it is a knife blade crack...you really need them...If you have ever pounded in a pin and heard the pinging singing of a bomber placement placed to the hilt, you know the primal joy of nailing.

Layering is the way in the mountains, where temperatures can span the range from broiling to freezing in the course of a few hours. The Mclean has been an essential part of my layering system for the mountains. Here is what I wear. First a lightweight vaporwick t-shirt for the roaster sunny moments, followed by a lightweight half zip lightweight underwear piece followed by the McLean. For most of the day the McLean will Stay on, and the Hood is great!! It can be worn under or over the helmet due to it's stretchy but sleek cut. Sometimes I would start up a climb with the helmet over the hood, and then as things heated up, I would yard the hood out from under my helmet without having to take it off...nifty trick I do say! One small pocket on the arm where it doesn't get in the way...nice place for the belay knife and maybe a bar. This is one of my favorite pieces that TNF currently makes and in my opinion is one of the best lightweight fleece rigs on the market. This is the sweater that you will live in. On the scale of one to BOmb-diggity, I give it BOMB DIGGITY.

Solid constructed ice axe that's light enough to be forgotten until you need it. And when you need an ice axe..you really need it. The 55cm is a a solid third tool. For those alpine rock routes where you are only going to need an ice axe for bits of the approach and summit...this is the perfect rig. Simple and effective.

So I've had a touchstone for three years and it's been half way to hell and back with me and is still hanging tough...this is a durable set up...built for uber-abuse. The suspension system is excellent for a Haul bag, which means less suffering (yes you will still suffer it's not an anti gravity haul bag.) If you are someone who has trouble fitting their rack rope and say drill or pitons for first ascent cragging this could be a good choice. When I was putting up some of my Indian Creek FAs last year this was the perfect bag to get everything and the kitchen sink to the base. This is the perfect second or third bag depending on your stay on the wall. WHen you carry loads down or up...the heavy stuff goes in this and the rest goes in the big pig so weights are distributed evently. While this haulbag will not make you walk on water or help you read the minds of your enemies...it will get you to the base of your dream proj. with everything you will need to send HUGE!

TNF killed it with these shoes. For a casual, comfortable, cool looking shoe, these are at the top of their game. I like the wide foot bed, giving your toes plenty of room to spread out, and for me the yellow laces on the shroom brown suede looks P.I.M.P. It's also good to support a shoe that is making a "step" in the right direction by using bamboo and cork to minimize the petroleum based nature of everything outdoors apparel these days!! The cork also makes for a shoe that breaks in to the intricacies of you feet. Also these shoes hold up really well, so it's a pretty solid package all around!