[pct-l] Re: 2004 prospect questions

[mgeis at yahoo.com (Matt Geis)]

Hi Marissa,

I used a Walrus (now MSR) Zoid 1.0 on my 2002 hike. 
I'm not sure if this model corresponds to the MSR Zoid
1.0 or the MicroZoid (given the size and vestibule
size, I think it's closer to the Micro).  At any rate,
I loved it.  Easy to set up (even if you can't stake
it in, you can put a rock down and it'll stay up just
fine).  Great bug protection, and great visibility
when you don't use the rainfly.  I was wavering, as I
love sleeping outside of a tent when possible. 
However, I HATE mosquitos.  The zoid was a good
compromise for me.  Good bug protection, without
having to feel totally enclosed and separated from the
environment.  It's a very fast setup (at my best, when
inspired by biting insects, I could stop hiking, have
tent set up, me and gear inside, starting on dinner in
about 3 minutes).

I can't comment on any of the other options.  Most
people I know who carried tarptents liked them.

As for the crampons, I did carry instep crampons. 
They're not all that light, however.  The only time I
used them was on a very icy log crossing into Crabtree
Meadows.  There was another point at which I wish I'd
had them (I sent them home at Yosemite), between
Ebbets and Carson pass.

They work fine on non-boots, but you should fit them
to your shoes before you start your hike (and if you
change your shoes to a larger size due to foot
expansion before you get out of the snow, make sure
you have a tool with which you can adjust the
crampons).  If you're looking for peace of mind,
crampons may well add to that.  Depends on your
experience on icy areas.  If you search the archives
of this list, you'll see numerous debates about axes,
crampons, etc., with all sorts weighing in with their
opinions.  One common theme is that it helps to know
how to use an ice axe if you're going to carry one. 
It's not just for stopping a fall, but also to make
sure you don't fall in the first place.  It'd suck to
fall because you needed crampons, reassured only by
the fact that you did remember to carry an axe.

Personally, I have a mountaineering background, so I
felt comfortable not donning crampons on occasions
where I might have otherwise.  Nevertheless, as I said
before, there was a point where I wished I'd still had
them.  A lot of that has to do with the time of the
day.  The same precarious icy pitch in the morning may
be a postholing slog in the late afternoon.  It may
slow you down, but if you decide to save the weight
and not take crampons, you can usually wait a while
and the route will become safer.

There are a lot of really light axes out now that
aren't all that expensive.  I took my heavy old
Alpamayo simply because I didn't want to shell out the
extra $$, but you should be able to find something
good for not much money.

Good luck!

Iron Chef

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