Contributions by Dow Williams (11)

what we been using to haul a small bag up on these OW and Chimney routes at Red Rocks, i.e. Epinephrine and Lady Wilson's Cleavage....with a Black Diamond Guide and double ropes, I rig both the 2nd and the bag at the same time. The 2nd is still within reach obviously if he/she needs to help the pig through a tight squeeze....does not take much elbow grease to haul a desert sized bag up...in fact, can bring both up at the same time, just like two climbers...this pulley catches and holds...thus why you need it if you are going with my method...real light weight and works like a charm.

how long a pair of these have lasted for me. I use to be a competitive trail runner and these shoes are too heavy for that. But I won a pair and used them for short summer approaches in the Canadian Rockies. But since I have been spending more time in Southern Utah, I find they are my primary approach shoes for Red Rocks and Zion. On long rock climbs, many times your descent will not be conducive to coming back to the base of the route, thus you have to biner your shoes to your harness. These are light enough to make that work, yet, incredibly durable....I am already a huge fan of Salomon's lace technology and do trail run in a lighter version of this shoe, but appreciate the Gortex, toe cap and just plain ruggedness of this heavier shoe that serves as my primary approach shoe and lasts forever in the desert.

Been climbing in the VR28 Oakley lens for ever...problem is I broke both pair of my full metal jacket VR28s on climbing outing within a month of each other and had been climbing in these same two pair for years. Of course Oakley can't stand to keep a good thing going, so no more Full Metal Jacket which I prefer....worse thing was finding a reasonable small Oakley design with polarized lens that was any good for climbing. Most lens tints are way to dark and don't function well in corners and shade when on the rock. That VR28 was the ticket until I found these Amber Black Iridium. Tremendous contrast which is a must when climbing and scouting out the smallest of features. Cheers.

Got this for my wife at xmas, she loves it. Very nice, sporty and athletic. Fits to size.

the old Black Diamond screw gates....got a new set of these to try out..surprised at how lightweight they are getting biners now days which justifies a smoother more open basket.

Just had the opportunity to test this 'true' windshirt out on Red Rocks during several windy and cold days. Outstanding mobility, protection and durability. Huge fan of OR to begin with, but just another example of them going the extra mile here. Was impressed how little it snagged on approach and how well it protected against the harsh winds, yet was so supple on a technical route. Cheers.

huge OR fan anyway and bought my wife this jacket for a trip into the Bugs once I discovered she did not have a light and bomber rain layer for climbing. Everything she had was too heavy to haul up technical routes. Every year, I become more weight sensitive and this jacket pacifies that sensitivity coming in at 10.2oz, yet has Gore Tex PacLite which really beads up the rain. She loves it (just don't cross any barbed wire fences with it on!) and watch that textured limestone.

This is the product I am using below full shank crampon acceptable boots. The Canadian Rockies scree will destroy them, but not any quicker than a boot/shoe that cost twice as much. Extremely comfortable and breathable. Just an approach shoe with a high ankle. Fairly sticky on rock. My 2nd pair of Montrails, have switched to these guys for approach shoes, which requires a blue collar performance from my closet.

OR, Mountain Hardwear...they all quit making my favorites, so I have to go shopping again by the time I wear out the old ones...this is my latest first layer choice...perfect, so I am sure it will be discontinued soon. Wicks and dries better than anything prior did.

This is the product I am using below full shank crampon acceptable boots. The Canadian Rockies scree will destroy them, but not any quicker than a boot/shoe that cost twice as much. Extremely comfortable and breathable. Just an approach shoe with a high ankle. Fairly sticky on rock. My 2nd pair of Montrails, have switched to these guys for approach shoes, which requires a blue collar performance from my closet.

Wow. I have not updated my old tools yet. A friend of mine let me have a go today with these. It’s a huge difference. They worked well over bulges or vertical. He claims everybody is using them in the Canadian Rockies. I would not know about that, but I was impressed today. I’m shopping for them now.