We bought the Yukon Down Jackets in an online winter sale from PHD Designs in the UK in March 2010. Gore Tex outer fabric. But how did they perform and stand up in the wilds of Patagonia? The ordering and delivery process- Easy. The website is well thought out and helpful. Sale items are identified [...]
Read More Down Jacket, expeditions, Gore Tex, handwarmer pockets, Icecap, Icefields, patagonia, Patagonian, PHD, Yukon
It’s nice when most of our criticisms of the initial model of the Sport Satellite Messenger GPS unit have been taken on board by the manufacturers. The result is a reincarnated and improved version of our valuable personal tracking system that we put to much use here in the Sierra Nevada mountains of southern Spain. Our initial review had much [...]
Read More emergency 911, emergency services, GPS, gps unit, Messenger, Satellite, sierra nevada mountains, signalling systems
If you are looking to hire mountaineering or rock climbing equipment or go ski touring or snowshoeing this coming winter in the Sierra Nevada, then try the well established rental facility run by Spanish Highs Mountain Guides. They have a fully stocked rental facility in Lanjaron in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. So, don’t be weight penalised by the airlines! Winter or summer they have the following available at reasonable hire rates (n.b their own guided activities include include the rental of equipment.)
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A review of the tents we currently use and recommend for year round mountain use in the Sierra Nevada, Alps and Patagonia. A recent clear out and repair of our tent stocks has made me re-evaluate which tents we use for which location and mountain activity. Basically we recommend high quality tents from well known makes such as Terra Nova, Bibler (Black Diamond) and Hilleberg. Yes, I know there are many other fine tent makers out there, but I can only comment on what has worked for us over the past 10 years as mountain guides.
Read More Gear, tentsThe short answer I believe is ….. yes. There have been some major breakthroughs in mountain clothing for me. “Paramo” material broke the mold of the crinkly unbreatheable and expensive GoreTex. “Windstopper” fabic provided a material that could be worn in very diverse and differing circumstances. Now we have “Icebreaker“. According to the manufacturer: Icebreaker [...]
Read More Gear, icebreaker, mountain clothingWhy is Paramo so good? I have been a fan of Paramo gear for the last 15 years. I remember spending thousands of pounds clad in various Gore-Tex, Triplepoint and eVent jackets, that either leaked or made me as wet inside as well as outside. They were never as “breatheable” as they were advertised by [...]
Read More Gear, jackets, mountain clothing, paramo, salopettesHilleberg Nallo GT I have had this tent now for 3 years and it has provided good service. It is suitable for 3 or very spacious for 2 persons. It has a large vestibule which is very useful for gear storage, cooking etc. The tent weighs 2.2kg (2.6kg packed) so is reasonably lightweight. It is [...]
Read More GearThe Spot Messenger was tested this week in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. A full description of the devices functions can be found at http://international.findmespot.com/ or on our related page http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2008/07/spot-satellite-messenger-trial-sierra-nevada/ Firstly let me say that the results were very satisfactory. Bear in mind that our previous sat phone system had been very inconsistent, costly and [...]
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