Category: Gear

The Flats, Ingraham Glacier, Mount Rainier – 10:00 p.m. It’s the night before your summit push, and you’re lying in your tent wide awake. Your tentmate is fast asleep next to you. Adrenaline and nervous energy made it difficult for you both to settle down after dinner, especially since the Pacific Northwest sun was still […]

Mountaineering vs. Backpacking: Small but substantial gear differences Sometimes the differences are obvious, and sometimes they are more subtle. And sometimes they only make a small difference, will others can make or break a summit attempt. Many mountaineers start their outdoor lives as hikers and backpackers, and this article is going to go through seven […]

What’s the difference between a rock climbing harness and a mountaineering harness? Why might one be better than the other? Below we’re going to dig into the primary differences, and why for anything but technical rock climbing, you should choose a mountaineering harness for your next objective. There are three primary differences between your average […]

The following article is adapted from a letter written by guide John Van Nostrand to climbers heading to Aconcagua, and is based on John’s many years of experience not only in guiding, but also in healthcare in and out of the hospital setting. While we hope his advice serves you well, please seek medical advice […]

Mountain Weather When heading into the mountains, there are many factors which will affect your trip – training, logistics, planning, skills, and more. While we can prepare in advance to control many of these factors, we cannot predict nor change the weather! What’s more, mountain weather is a fickle beast and can constantly surprise even […]

How exactly can you shop for a down jacket…and be confident it’s going to be warm enough? Here, we break down one aspect of down jacket selection. Alternatively, check out the insulation we offer for men and women, and email us with your questions. How much down is in this jacket? The key question to […]

Easily the most common question we are asked is, “What kind of boots will I wear on my Rainier climb?” Here, we break down how we decide. Two Boot Types We use two main types of boots in Washington’s Cascades Range, which includes Mount Rainier and Mount Baker among other peaks: double boots and single […]

Why do we use full-zip hardshell pants for alpine climbing? What exactly are hardshells, anyway? What features are important in hardshell jackets or pants? Why is it important not to bring half or quarter-zip hardshell pants into the high mountains? Here we answer some common questions with a few anecdotes and a few unavoidable facts. […]

Welcome to Part 2 of our Food Planning for Mountaineering blog series. This post will breakdown the mysteries of building a proper meal plan for backcountry travel. Whether you are headed out on an overnight trip or a week-long expedition, you should be able to pick up some helpful tips and meal ideas as we […]

“How do I lighten my pack weight but still bring enough gear?” This is a very common, very important question. Here, I break down some key tips for dropping your pack weight. Get Rid of Some Niceties Perhaps the truest axiom when talking pack weights is that if you bring less, your pack will weigh […]