Leaderboard

10,000' in Oct sounds chilly! Those double mackinaws are nice coats, can even do monthly payments on them now...Thanks Filson. I do like that about the tin cloth--good stuff fireside. And yeah, tin cloth makes you a rusty tin man in the really cold stuff, I don't bother. I've had it 13-14 years now, almost broken in. Re-applied oil a few times, the last, a month or so ago after a heavy soaking rain in the Fall. Some water made it through. This time round I treated both layers which I'd not done in the past.

I've looked at anoraks a few times over the years and while I don't think much of pulling on a 1/4 zipper turtleneck fleece, the bulk of a heavy wool pullover seemed inconvenient. Probably work great though. A shame they use velcro closures on the pockets for some versions, Snaps or riveted buttons for me--yeah you have to pull off your gloves but still-- they hold up. I have a few Winter set-ups that are activity dependent--sheddable layers for uphill climbs-smartwool base+wool/poly shirt+fleece pullover+fleece vest and a fly fishing wading jacket shell for the pockets and short waist to access items on my belt easily ie holster. A Tin cloth packer coat with wool liner for lollygagging bushwhacks at around 32F. My favorite type really, walk a few hundred yards, stop look listen for a bit, continue, repeat. That coat is like armor, pretty sure it would prevent impalement if I went down on a branch stub crossing a war zone of blowdowns. I picked up an LLBean Maine mountain parka at half price from their outlet this Winter, down filled and rated at -45f w/ moderate activity. That thing is awesome for cold weather maundering about below 15F, too hot to uphill for long periods but great for the "stakeout." Pockets are a tad small but functional.

If it weren't for BFRO expeditions, we wouldn't have the "discovery" of Area X. Fall 2001 - Southern Oklahoma - Ouachita Mts.

I’m definitely in it for the knowledge and experience and to meet others in my region. It seems like it will be a good thing to try based on the feedback I’ve gotten so far. Thank you!