MEDIOCRE
MOUNTAINEERING
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Gear Reviews

Stories, experiments, and lessons from the backcountry. Browse the posts or look for a favorite place or piece of gear.

Gear Reviews

Kai’s Backcountry Page

Please visit my updated Backcountry pages . Click HERE for the updated Pages (Click on pictures for larger versions.) (Click on picture for larger version.) Back to…

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Gear Reviews

Boots

My Boot Family Photo This page addresses boots. Years ago, I read an article in Outside magazine about Yvonne Chouinard. There was a picture of him, surrounded…

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Gear Reviews

Approach Shoes

Approach ShoesThe term, "Approach shoe" encompasses a pretty broad range of shoes.  To me, an approach shoe is a shoe that is lighter than a boot, and…

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Gear Reviews

Bothy Bag

Wild Things Bivy Shelter (Cuben Fiber) (9.1 ounces)  This is what the Brits call a "bothy bag." It doesn't have any poles or other supports.  It's just a big…

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Gear Reviews

Bivi Sacks

Bivi Sacks Sometimes, a bivi sack is all you need.  Tents are great, but there isn't always room to pitch a tent.  If you're climbing and there…

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Gear Reviews

Three Man Tents

3 Man Tents Kelty Windfoil 3 (8 pounds, 11.9 ounces)   This is the ultimate long term mountain base camp tent. It is a three pole hoop…

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Gear Reviews

Tarps, Pyramids, Etc.

Tarps, Pyramids, Etc. Chouinard Pyramid Mount Timpanogas, Utah, 1986 SilNylon Pyramid Tent (1 pound, 9 ounces)  Back in 1985, I bought a Chouinard Pyramid (now available in…

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Gear Reviews

Hanging Stoves

(The Jetboil and MSR Reactor also are hanging stoves, and are covered in their own page.) (Left to Right) Markill Stormy; Markill Hanging Kit for Peak 1;…

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