Just beginning to plan my trip. My experience includes: Kili, Orizaba (solo), Mt. Blanc, Rainier, Whitney, Shasta, Adams.
Haven't arranged a guide yet -- is anyone else going during this time frame? Any rec's on guides?
GEAR
I'm working off of RMI's list and already have most of what I need:
http://www.rmiguides.com/international/ ... #equipment
Future mountains could include: Denali, Elbrus, Vinson, and maybe Himalaya (i.e., Island Peak, trekking), so trying to make choices with this in mind. Also, I can get good deals on all MH gear so generally tend to favor it. A few gear questions:
Gloves: I posted this question in the gear forum, already saw that someone is recommending the BD Patrol (which I can get also get for a good price) over the MH Hydra or Medusa.
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=49317
Sleeping Pad system: Sounds like the following combo is the way to go: Therm-A-Rest Prolite Plus (1lb 8 oz) + ThermaRest Z-Lite (14 oz)
I was wondering if I could save some weight with the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir + Z-Lite, but have read concerns about durability of the NeoAir vs. the Prolite. Or another idea was take just the Exped Downmat which would save weight and space, but if something goes wrong with it I have no fail safe Z-Lite as a backup. Thoughts?
Pants: Wondering if something like the MH Compressor Pant would be a good idea to go with what I already have:
-Capilene 1 bottoms base layer
-Polartec fleece layer
-MH Makalu Pant (soft shell)
-MH Aragon Ice Pant (rain/wind shell)
Would the MH Compressor pant be overkill?
Boots: Per RMI's rec, I was also planning to also bring a light trail hiking shoe and my Zamberlan Vioz GT Hiking Boots. For the summit, it sounds like there is a consensus that the Spantiks are the way to go, especially given my future itin. Are the Spantiks going to get absolutely thrashed on Aconcagua? Any way to prevent this? Was curious about the Baruntses but it sounds like these won't be adequate for Denali. Could I spare the Spantiks the punishment by wearing the Zamberlan's through lower elevation heavy scree/talus? Or do they take a beating on the upper part of the mountain anyway? Also three sets of footwear is a heavy load to be hauling. Are all three pair really the way to go?