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What are you wearing alpine climbing?

Original Post
Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098

What combo of layers do you usually wear while doing summer alpine rock climbs? What do you bring along?

Bang Nhan · · Charlottesville, VA · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 35

A layer of flee, a wind shirt and a hardshell for rain

Rick Blair · · Denver · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 266

If I'm not doing a bivy, I bring a Montbell UL down jacket. It only weighs 8oz and I figure if I ever eat shit and can't move or get stuck somewhere I can put that thing on until I can move or help arrives. I also bring a hooded poncho for some of the same reason and they are awesome for a down pour. The rest is the standard fare. Were you looking for something specific?

Tits McGee · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 260

approach:
silk weight capilene and a wind proof vest and silk wt bottoms/softshell pants

Climbing:
Early Spring - long sleeve silk weight top, R1 pullover and hardshell with the puffy in the pack. Mid weight bottoms and soft shell pants

Summer - ideal conditions, base layer + patagonia houdini with silk wt bottoms and light weight soft shell pants.

Non-Ideal conditions: swap the houdini for a hardshell and add a mid-layer to the pack.

Dave-o Friedman · · Fort Collins · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 5

Man thong only!

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

most people call them bikinis, Dave, but to each their own

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098
Rick Blair wrote: Were you looking for something specific?
I'm going to the bugs in a few days, and I'm a cheap bastard so I usually have a couple layers of cotton plus some synthetic inner layer.

I figured I could blow a little money now that I'm out of school, so I was curious what are good options for those situations that I'm too hot on the approach, too cold at the base(because of my sweat), and get stormed on halfway up a 1200 foot climb.
matt davies · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 25

If you can find a used one or blow $150, the Patagonia nano-puff is SWEET. It packs down to nothing, you can stuff it in its own pocket and clip to your harness for belays, and it it'll keep you warm (not dry, though) in the rain, on route. Awesome in the wind, too.

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098
matt davies wrote: If you can find a used one or blow $150, the Patagonia nano-puff is SWEET. It packs down to nothing, you can stuff it in its own pocket and clip to your harness for belays, and it it'll keep you warm (not dry, though) in the rain, on route. Awesome in the wind, too.
I've got a patagucci down hoody thing, I'm more looking for what base layers people wear...
Derek W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 20

Here are my staples for high altitude exploring.

Layers to choose from depending on expected highs and lows-

Thin Merino wool 3/4 length base layer bottom
Mid weight base layer bottom
OR softshell pants with large zip vents
OR Ferrosi Pants (LOVE these so far, very light, wind and water resistant and breathable)

Thin Merino base layer shirt
Light Vest
Softshell
Windshirt
Rain Jacket
Synthetic puffy

These things will cover me in different combinations pretty much year round and all elevations and weather except for the most frigid or scorching days.

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711

My usual summer Teton layers are:

Synthetic t-shirt base layer.
Mid weight capilene layer.
Nano puff jacket with hood.
Integral Designs light wind/rain jacket.
Synthetic briefs.
Stetchy synthetic pants (shoeller or the like). Maybe light shorts for the approach if its hot.
One pair of smart wool sock.

Pretty much it.

Derek W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 20
Phil Lauffen wrote: I've got a patagucci down hoody thing, I'm more looking for what base layers people wear...
I've become a fan of Minus33, IO Bio and Icebreaker Merino wool base layer tops and bottoms.
matt davies · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 25
Phil Lauffen wrote: I've got a patagucci down hoody thing, I'm more looking for what base layers people wear...
I like a capilene 3/4 zip as a base, you can vent it and roll up the sleeves when it gets hot.
I also have a bike vest with a mesh back that is awesome for approaches, it lets my sweaty back breathe and keeps the wind off my core.
Tits McGee · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 260
matt davies wrote: I also have a bike vest with a mesh back that is awesome for approaches, it lets my sweaty back breathe and keeps the wind off my core.
You forgot to the performance enhancing lightning bolt graphics on your vest - I swear it makes you faster on approaches.
Tommey-James · · Boulder,Colorado · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 10

I went to the Bugs last August. I brought some standard Helly Hansen base layers (top and bottem). GoLite down jacket and Shell. And wore basic hiking pants.

After getting shit on here are the changes I would make

1)Wind/Water proof pants (if you don't have a pair buy some, trust me)
2)Light Scarf (soulds lame but if you do long climbs like the Becky-Chouinard in 1 day push and it is windy you will want it)
3)Leather gloves to belay (Again, you will want them if you do wind/shade for 10+ hrs)
4)E-Blaket (invest in one of the good ones, trust me again, it is nice to have just in case...)

Aside from that I wouldn't change anything. When we first got there the weather was just ok enough for climbing and it was cold yet doable. The last day it was splitter sky and I was hot in a long shirt and cotton pants but it just depends. Have fun, it is a sick zone!

matt davies · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 25
Tits McGee wrote: You forgot to the performance enhancing lightning bolt graphics on your vest - I swear it makes you faster on approaches.
Do I get any points for the dress shirt?- straight from the rock to cocktails, baby!
Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,098

Thanks for all of the responses! Looks like its pretty simple. Good climbing!

David Appelhans · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 410

I'm cheap too. I don't wear any cotton though, synthetic is cheap enough. I usually wear a long underwear top (old REI brand), and then my favorite item, North Face TKA 100 1/4 zip fleece. I love it because it is light, warm, stretchy, and zips up around the neck. Then I've got an REI synthetic down jacket, and a $30 sierra designs UL water resistant rain jacket. Softshell pants and long underwear bottoms if it is especially cold.

This has worked great for me on snowy alpine (rock) climbs all over the world, especially when I was hauling all my clothes and other gear several miles to a base area. For a couple week trip I'd bring two long underwear base tops and throw a dryer sheet into the clothes stuff sack to help keep things a little better smelling.

Rob Kepley · · Westminster, CO · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,005

Phil, stop by Patagonia and pick up a couple Capilene 2 long sleeve crew necks. Worth their weight in gold... I think they go for about 40 bucks.

germsauce Epstein · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 55

Jorts and a smile.

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

synthetic t or longsleeve
cap3 zipneck
nano puff or fleece (don't climb in the nanopuff much)
rain shell
synthetic boxers
patagucci alpine guide pants
smart wool socks

can't go wrong

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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