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I'm working out what my wife and I need for a glacier climbing course that we're taking. I'm hoping to get some advice on our upper body layering system. This is what I'm thinking:

Her's
Baselayer
Arc'Teryx Atom LT (mid-layer, already own)
First Ascent Mountain Guide Hooded Jacket (Puffy)
First Ascent BC-200 (Hardshell)

His
Baselayer
Arc'Teryx Gamma LT Jacket (softshell, already own but wouldn't mind switching to the Atom Lt
First Ascent Mountain Guide Hooded Jacket
Arc'Teryx Beta SL (hardshell, already own)

Do you all see any problems with this? I'm trying to figure out the best balance of keeping warm, especially my wife, and not being too overloaded.

What do you all think?

Thanks!

Arc'Teryx Atom LT is a puffy insulated piece, no? You already have an insulated hooded puffy in the First Ascent Moutain Guide. Seems reduntant. Also, Arc'Teryx Gamma LT is a stretch woven softshell, no? I find stretch woven softshell jackets to be better for wearing on the bus commuting to work than climbing. My suggestions is to dump both in favor of a lightly insulated windshirt like the Marmot DriClime. It is more versatile, lighter, and layers better. Also, the FA Mountain Guide Hooded jacket is down, no? Down is great - IF you can keep it dry. When you really need your puffy to perform - in a storm, the down will absorb water like a sponge here in the PNW. I would recommend a Primaloft insulated hoody like the Patagonia Micropuff, the Wild Things EP jacket, or any other 100 gram Primaloft jacket with a hood that fits over a helmet. Also, if you have money to burn and Arc'Teryx fits your body, it is an ok choice. I usually just buy whatever I can find on sale. Having owned one Arc'Teryx jacket the best thing I can say about it is it fell apart quickly so I could get a better jacket. I grew up in Renton, but live in Issaquah now. If you want to stop by and look at my kit I use for Baker/Rainier/etc, I'd be happy to show you.

Last July on Rainier my layering system went like this:

Capilene 2 half zip
FA Hangfire Hoodie
FA Mountain Guide Jacket softshell
MH Pinnacle Jacket hardshell
FA Peak XV puffy

I was on the Kautz route so we had a low and high camp. First two days I wore only the capilene and hangfire hoodie. Summit day I added the soft-shell. Wore the puffy on breaks. I never put on the hardshell.

bkva wrote:Last July on Rainier my layering system went like this:

Capilene 2 half zip
FA Hangfire Hoodie
FA Mountain Guide Jacket softshell
MH Pinnacle Jacket hardshell
FA Peak XV puffy

I was on the Kautz route so we had a low and high camp. First two days I wore only the capilene and hangfire hoodie. Summit day I added the soft-shell. Wore the puffy on breaks. I never put on the hardshell.

That would be similar to my kit on Rainier in the dead of winter.

Here is what I bring for upper body and lower body layers on Rainier during the summer months.

MH Compressor hooded insulated jacket
Patagonia Capilene midweight layer
MH Monkeyman fleece jacket
T-Shirt
Prana stretch zion pants
patagonia long underwear
OR hardshell jacket
OR furio pants

The last couple of climbs I have done on Rainier I usually end up only using my T-shirt, patagonia capilene, MH fleece, and prana pants. Also, I almost never use my hardshell pants which is why I have started to leave them at the car. YMMV.