This past Saturday morning I woke up in the dark, and immediately went downstairs to do my core work. The only way to get it done. Right now it’s just slow pull ups and around-the-clock leg extensions using a resistance band. After that I made coffee and breakfast, and got the (expected) call from Jill that their 630am wakeup did not happen. So I wandered downtown to Rocky Mountain Outfitter, and their used gear sale.

RMO is a great “core” mountain shop. They sell stuff to people who spend lots of time in the mountains. While small, the used gear sale was one of the best I’ve seen, reflecting the clientelle. I got M a pair of the much coveted stretch G-tex REI socks (no longer made) for $2, and the stellar vintage Patagonia Anorak pictured below for $10.

Jill Homer foto

It’s remarkable how older technology looses very little on modern stuff. I’m not sure how old this is (early 90’s?), but the fabric is quality nylon ripstop, the zippers very nice metal YKK #5s, and the construction ideal. The both arms and the whole upper torso panel is one piece of fabric, and the whole jacket has less than 10 pieces individual panels. Best of all, the hanging mesh ‘roo pocket is huge.

I intend to use it as a winter shell, as it’s a good bit thicker than my Houdini. One experiment I’m contemplating is treating the shoulders and hood with silicon spray, while leaving the rest breathable. Would that serve as an alternative to a rain shell, keeping you dry enough but breathing well? I intend to find out, though perhaps not til spring. In the meantime I’ll be enjoying the stellar pinkage.

The snow has me inspired. I’m planning a traverse of Glacier for the weekend. Other people have been getting out lately, too. Eugene Smith down in New Mexico ran the new Deadman Peaks 50 miler, which looks very intriguing.

http://player.vimeo.com/video/16347820?color=ffffff

Nice one Eugene! Damien Tougas, from Maine, did a traverse in the Tetons with Ryan Jordan and crew, and it looks like conditions could not have been better. The video is rather long, but the scenery is worth flipping through.

http://www.youtube.com/v/YuksoEQerC0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6

It lights my interest for exploring the northern part of the park, where I’ve never been, all my past visits having been peak-bagging centric.

Maybe I’ll go skin Big Mountain before work tomorrow. Ahh, the possibilities.