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The cold world of skimo & alpine climbing

The cold world of skimo & alpine climbing

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Showa 282-02 winter glove..late to the party?






Takes about 2 minutes to do a Google search for this glove.  One of the first web reviews you'll find is Colin Haley (yes that Colin Haley) endorsing them for climbing.  I should/could  just leave it at that.

Colin Haley’s Clothing System for Alpine Climbing in the Chaltén Massif - Patagonia

Of course, I won't.  Hard to cut this glove with a sharp, really sharp kitchen knife.   I tried.    Just the ticket for busting 8" of ice out of 100-gallon stock tanks while the wind is blowing, and the temps are in the teens F.    Even better when you need to pull all that ice out of those same tanks now with 50 gallows of water in them and 200# of block ice.    You get wet no matter what you do.  But no reason to have wet or cold hands now.   I have used expensive neoprene gloves in years past, and they work as well.  Just not the the dexterity, warmth or comfort of the Showa.  And the long cuff with an elastic draw cord fits over my Arcteryx jacket sleeves like they were made for each other.

I have yet to climb in them, but I know just from working around here this winter they'll be one of the best gloves I own for ice climbing.   Only thing I miss is a leather palm.   These things are way stickier than leather.    I own a LOT of high dollar gloves climbing gloves with similar warmth and durability.  None of them cost anywhere close to $20! 

These things are easily found, currently for under $25.00 a pair.  Usually under $20.! 

I have been buying them here:   I am typically a XL in any glove and the XL fits we well enough, but a XXL might be appropriate as well.  Worth a try on sizes as they are very stretchy.

Showa 282 Temres, Gloves (go2marine.com)



Friday, December 10, 2021

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Nirmal Purja? Project Possible?

Missing this one I have obviously been asleep at the wheel.  This is the most impressive bit of mountaineering I have ever imagined, let alone seen accomplished.