Contributions by mengley (2)

Finally dropped the money on a single wall after dragging The North Face VE-25 into the hills all the time. At 4-5 pounds lighter, my wife and I were expecting it to be a snug fit, but the Eldorado's wide footprint and steep sidewalls give plenty of space for two, with packs outside or in the vestibule. If I could change one thing, I'd have gotten the two-door option, if only for a little extra venting at the far end of the tent. It comes well sealed with good stakes and extra seam-grip for the exterior seams. Also comes with guyline, but it's surprising that you pay $600 for a tent and they only give you enough cord for half of the stake points. An inconvenience, but not a big deal. We slept warmer in very cold weather and had more space in the packs -- perfect.

The Condor is a nice alternative to the Whippet when you have a spare pole available, or you like being able to stow the pointy-bits when not in use. The handle is solid and comfortable (though the enclosed grip is a snug fit with gloves on). The pick locks in place well and has the same profile as a Grivel ice axe. The hood over the "lock-knob" could be a little shorter and the knob itself could be easier to operate with gloves on, but filing down the hood should help. Also, the split-ring that attaches the leash is too large and needs to be either replaced or bent to fit. Still, a nice piece of gear that needs only minor tweaks to work well.