Insulation Strategy
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:11 am
Last year I spent two fairly uncomfortable days on Mt. Shasta as a first-time mountaineer, and have decided to upgrade my wardrobe for the coming winter. What I have is mostly alpine skiing gear - heavy, and not very waterproof or breathable (but lots of pockets!). I've already traded cotton base and mid-layers for merino/synthetic blended base layer and a capilene 4 zip-neck. I also have a North Face Venture rain-shell jacket and Marmot Pre-Cip pants that are very light and packable, but I don't think I have suitable mid/insulation layers. I foresee only 2-3 mountaineering trips per year, without technical climbing, and flexibility for backpacking, everyday, or skiing use is a plus.
I think just about any system will need a softshell added in order to be wind-proof without the rain-shell (which doesn't breathe very well). Probably a MH Mountain Tech or similar unless advised otherwise. This should be good for most mountaineering in decent weather, but I want to have additional insulation in case of bad weather and emergency situations. How much insulation should I carry to be safe/comfortable for Sierra mountaineering, including Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's Route in the winter? I have a 0-degree synthetic sleeping bag (MH Ultralamina) that should do for nights. I'm looking at synthetic insulators for moisture and cost reasons.
Insulation Options:
A) Lightweight insulator that could go under the softshell (e.g. MH Zonal, Pata Nanopuff, TNF zephyrus)
B) Mid-weight insulator that could go between the softshell and rain-shell (e.g. MH Compressor, Pata Micropuff)
C) Heavy insulator / "belay parka" that would go over the softshell and has DWR finish (e.g. MH B'layman, Pata DAS) thinking that rain shell not needed if it's cold enough to need that much insulation. I won't be doing technical climbs in the winter though, at least not any time soon, so the start-stop of climbing or need for the insulation layer to be on the outside doesn't come into play. These do provide the most loft though.
D) Insulated shell (e.g. OR Chaos) as a substitute for the rain-shell - maybe combine with another lightweight insulator or fleece and skip the softshell??
If recommending A or B above, should I get a hood on the softshell, insulator, or neither?
Any recommendations for pants? Right now I have insulated TNF ski pants with suspenders and a small bib in the back. They keep out snow and are durable, but are not light, breathable, or very water-repellent.
I think just about any system will need a softshell added in order to be wind-proof without the rain-shell (which doesn't breathe very well). Probably a MH Mountain Tech or similar unless advised otherwise. This should be good for most mountaineering in decent weather, but I want to have additional insulation in case of bad weather and emergency situations. How much insulation should I carry to be safe/comfortable for Sierra mountaineering, including Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's Route in the winter? I have a 0-degree synthetic sleeping bag (MH Ultralamina) that should do for nights. I'm looking at synthetic insulators for moisture and cost reasons.
Insulation Options:
A) Lightweight insulator that could go under the softshell (e.g. MH Zonal, Pata Nanopuff, TNF zephyrus)
B) Mid-weight insulator that could go between the softshell and rain-shell (e.g. MH Compressor, Pata Micropuff)
C) Heavy insulator / "belay parka" that would go over the softshell and has DWR finish (e.g. MH B'layman, Pata DAS) thinking that rain shell not needed if it's cold enough to need that much insulation. I won't be doing technical climbs in the winter though, at least not any time soon, so the start-stop of climbing or need for the insulation layer to be on the outside doesn't come into play. These do provide the most loft though.
D) Insulated shell (e.g. OR Chaos) as a substitute for the rain-shell - maybe combine with another lightweight insulator or fleece and skip the softshell??
If recommending A or B above, should I get a hood on the softshell, insulator, or neither?
Any recommendations for pants? Right now I have insulated TNF ski pants with suspenders and a small bib in the back. They keep out snow and are durable, but are not light, breathable, or very water-repellent.