News of Technique and Training

Howdy folks,
There's a new film out there The Search for Freedom that's pretty inspiring for outdoor athletes. Worth a watch for sure, if only for the scenery and action sequences..
http://thesearchforfreedom.com

The film might be especially interesting for those into Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's ideas about Flow.
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-E ... 0061339202
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday ...

In more than one place I've seen a munter/mule combined with a prussic as the ratchet point in a pulley system, especially in one of my favorite books:
http://www.amazon.com/Glacier-Mountaine ... 0762748621

It's hard to make out if that red cord is actually tied as a munter on the end but I think this is an example is here:

http://www.summitpost.org/ratchet-syste ... ing/700714

But even ...

For those of you that do this - how is your rope-setup? Do you go for one rope with knots (if snow) One extra rope, or do you keep the ends of the knotted rope in coils for rescue?

Looking for a safe and efficient setup that we can practise and use.

Hi,

I am planning to climb Mt. Rainier and then Denali sometime mid next year (2016) - approximately one year from now. I have little mountaineering experience, so I'll be practising climbing skills on Mt. Shasta several times (>7-8 climbs for sure, I live in Northern California) and taking self arrest, crevasse navigation classes, etc.

In the meantime, I want to start working out on my fitness and general preparedness for the climb. Now, here's ...

Hi, anybody had experience with "Mountain Madness" guides lately? Looking to take an Intermediate (not beginner) climbing course, Alpine Ascents has one as well but already full. Also, SWS mountain guides has one...Any other recommendations?

Thanks

I know, I know.. a new low, but some these are clever and might be useful for your off season or to get your Glamp on...

23 Must-Know Camping Hacks That Will Make You An Expert Of The Outdoors
http://www.swifty.com/travel-tips/9929/ ... =t#slide/0

Kind of a catch-22. Accommodating to altitude is much easier with good nutrition and hydration. But at altitude, food and water (especially that iodine-tinted filter water) are so unpalatable. When your mouth and stomach are uninterested in food, getting adequate calories is a chore.

My last big trip I found that nabisco ginger snaps work pretty well (and they are indestructible in your pack). In fact, I survived 3 days on little more than ginger ...

If Fred Beckey wasn't enough inspiration, here's Stephen Jepson
Never Leave the Playground - Stephen Jepson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_YdPNgByOE

Also:
http://neverleavetheplayground.com/

So far all of my hiking/climbing has been done solo but I'm looking ahead to some potential climbs where I will be part of a rope team. Obviously I will be taking a glacier skills/travel class in the near future but I'm totally green when it comes to the basics. I'd like to get a head start on learning some of the knots used in these situations.

I'm not looking to be able to rig ...

Guys, I'm planning a backpacking trip to a 4200 masl basecamp in summer (South America). Low probability of snow but some times it is really cold arround -15C.

I do not own a sleeping bag -18C (or similar) so I want to use the following configuration to sleep only with 1st layer on a -15C night. Opinions?

Saco de dormir: Marmot de pluma 850 -9C (http://marmot.com/products/details/helium-new)
Comfort: 27.7°F / -2.4°C | Lower Limit: 16.3°F / ...