- "The Micro Puff is warm, easily compressible, and light. It's warmer for its weight [21 oz.] than any other piece of clothing that I own."

- "Though it is really light, it stands up well in rain and wind, and the nylon shell has stayed intact and hasn't gotten ripped or worn by the grating I've given it on coarse rock."

- "The synthetic fill makes this a great three-season jacket for the Cascades and Sierra. The insulation doesn't clump or wilt in wet conditions, and I like it for alpine climbing generally because of its light weight and compressibility."

- "I use the Micro Puff successfully against cold weather in the mountains from spring to fall. In winter, I've also used it as an action layer under my shell in really cold, wet conditions."

- "The best thing about the DAS Parka is its fit - it fits comfortably over all my layers while belaying or bivying in extreme cold but isn't bulky to the extent that it blocks access to my harness/belay device or a view of my feet while climbing."

- "The zipper system gives me great access to my harness." [A multi-directional front zipper can be zipped up from the bottom, creating space to belay while the jacket remains zipped from the neck to the navel, preserving hard sought-after warmth].

- "The hood fits comfortably over my helmet when I am climbing or belaying in cold and/or snowy conditions. The hood protects my face from wind and doesn't take away my peripheral vision when I turn my head."

- "The mesh cargo pockets on the inside of the coat are ideal for storing and drying gloves, socks, and hats when sitting around camp."

- Multi-purpose outdoor work gloves with a secure, comfortable fit. They can be used in conjunction with a GoreTex shell to save weight and protect against weather on non-winter climbs.

- Windstopper fleece will keep your hands warm on both snow and rock climbs in warmer months, even when the gloves are wet.

- This is a great glove for traveling on glaciers, where temperatures fluctuate radically and where gloves must be worn for protection in the event of a fall or self-arrest situation.

- Synthetic palms and a curved design help maintain dexterity in cold, wet conditions, making the glove perfect for rope handling on alpine climbs.

- These gloves keep your hands dry and warm in the coldest, wettest conditions.

- Warmth and dexterity are usually mutually exclusive qualities in gloves, but in this case, you can have both. The Guide Glove has an effective temperature range of -15 to +15 degrees F, but because of great pattern design and clever articulation, it provides enough fine dexterity to still place gear, clip biners, or adjust ski boot buckles with relative ease.

- If your hands or the liners get wet, it will be somewhat harder to get your hands into the liners than when dry, but this isn't normally a problem because you'll be using these in cold conditions.

- These are high altitude and cold weather-oriented gloves that we require to be in the summit pack of each climber on Denali, Aconcagua, Everest, Ama Dablam, and Vinson, among other peaks. This glove prioritizes warmth, so there is less dexterity here. Mittens are the most efficient system for keeping your hands warm, but that efficiency is undermined when you have to take your mittens off to perform dexterous tasks. Therefore, mittens are appropriate for cold weather climbs that involve long stretches of cramponing at altitude and minimal use of your hands, beyond holding a glacier axe and occasionally bracing yourself against snow and ice.

- The Alti Mitt is comprised of a waterproof, insulated shell and a removable, insulated liner. While technical climbing in sub-freezing weather prevents the exclusive use of mittens, the Alti Mitt shells can still be worn over your technical gloves when an extra layer of insulation, waterproofing, and/or wind-protection is necessary.

- Comes in both 22 liter (1342 cubic inch) and 32 liter (1952 cubic inch) sizes.

- Outer pocket holds avalanche safety gear, providing easy access to this equipment in rescue situations.

- Tough outer fabric and simple, clamshell zipper configuration insure the pack's longevity while the clamshell zipper cuts down on the hassle of opening your backpack while wearing ski gloves.

- Comes in both 32 liter (1952 cubic inch) and 42 liter (2562 cubic inch) sizes.

- Size accommodates an overnight trip, but also cinches down tight to hold smaller loads.

- Top-loading design is enhanced with a side zipper for quick access to items lower in the pack, keeping the pack's contents dry while the snow is falling.

- Perfect for winter backcountry adventures. Superior purchace on steep snow through steel traction blades with saber teeth, crampons, and molded braking bars in the deck.

- Heel risers are a big plus.

- Binding straps are easy to fasten, unfasten, and adjust.

Sale ends December 10, 2006

- Feature a revolutionary Total-Traction frame made from one vertical blade of aerospace-grade aluminum, delivering 360-degree traction. The lightest snowshoes in their class - about 15% lighter than competitors.

- The decking is made of a soft material that is quieter than most other snowshoes in firm snow conditions.

Sale ends December 10, 2006

- New for this year and impressive in its exceptional strength and low profile. Handle slides conveniently into the shovel blade for easy packing.

Sale ends December 10, 2006

- Two meters long and with a 13mm diameter, this probe is made from ultralight carbon fiber and uses a simple, efficient quickdraw mechanism to lock sections into place.

Sale ends December 10, 2006

- Three meters long. 12.5 mm aluminum tubing connects together quickly and locks in place with a simple tug on the cable loop.

Sale ends December 10, 2006