Montane Minimus Pant

I have been testing Montane gear for a few months now and they also provide gear for my adventure race team TotalXC so I am really getting to grips with the performance of the various garments and liking most of it so far. You will see plenty more reviews over the coming months. Facewest will be stocking Montane from end of March, although you can visit the pages now and pre order if you wish.

This is something that skiers in North America are much more clued up on.

It’s amazing how you can get stuck in a tree well, this video documents a great example of how impossible it would be to self rescue.

So my top tips for Tree skiing are: 
1) Try to avoid falling in a tree well.
2) Always have a shovel. (You should have one for avalanche safety reasons)
3) Always ski in a workable buddy system so you can rescue each other.

I think this group deals with the situation pretty well.

With the benefit of hindsight: If I was the lead rescuer I’d try to be a bit more communicative at the start, and organise at least 3 or 4 shovellers to evacuate an area just below where the guy is buried, then dig in from there. It’s pretty obvious early on that it will take a few minutes to get them out, so I’d try to use the group resources a bit better. But he did a fine job really under the circumstances.

Arcteryx Phase AR Base Layer

The Phase AR Zip neck is now my favourite piece of base layer replacing the Mammut All Year Zip Neck. When I got some Phase AR, my first impression was that it would be too warm as the fabric seemed quite thick. However this is not the case and I have found it’s temperature window to be very similar to the Mammut All Year Fabric (which uses some wool blend and some synthetic panels) although the Mammut fabric is thinner. On the OMM I took both and wore the Mammut to run in and the Arcteryx in the tent, next time I will run in the Phase AR.  I think the Phase AR has slightly better durability than the All Year fabric and is more comfortable to wear as it has a little more stretch. The lack of a lighter colour in the Phase AR is a slight drawback for those in high UV environments. I think both Mammut and Arcteryx base layers perform better than any thing else I have tried ( and I’ve tried a lot) but I do find myself leafing through my base layers to find the Phase.

Rab VR Lite Alpine Jacket

The Rab Vapour Rise Lite Alpine Jacket is awesome.  Only had it about a week and I love it! Just the right weight outer shell (Pertex Endurance) combined with a really light tricot liner. I have also been using the Marmot Ether Driclime which I also really like, however the Rab VR Alpine Lite suits me better and here’s why.

1. Hood – The Marmot hood is too minimalist with no adjustment so you can’t get it to stay up in the wind. The Rab hood has a full head gripper cord and stiffened peak so is more functional. It is also heavier but it has a better hood tie down strap (although still room for improvement) so actually stays in place better when not in use.

2. Slightly longer cut with hem drawcord for trapping more warmth.

3. 2 larger napoleon pockets rather than single small chest pocket which is better for carrying little bits and pieces.

4. Adjustable rather than fixed cuffs so better for using with a range of heavier gloves.

The Marmot Ether Driclime does have a couple of points in it’s favour

1. Under arm vents which really reduce the amount of vapour that the rest of the fabric has to deal with

2. Lighter weight. 100g lighter, 250g for the Marmot opposed to 350g for the Rab

3. Price. Marmot ether is £30 less than the Rab (£80/£110).

Much like the base layer I have had a lot of windshirts in my time, (Original Driclime Windshirt, ME Microtherm Jacket, VR Stretch Top, Buffalo etc) but I really do rate the new VR Lite ALpine Jacket. I think it is worth the £30 extra price tag over the Ether Driclime for everyone except the real weight weenies out there. I will post a fuller review with photos when I have some.

Clothing kicks it off and so far we have already seen Arcteryx, Mountain Equipment, Marmot and Montane. Rab and Mammut follow closely this week. Everybody from the big brands down are cautious about next year and whilst everybody is positive, nobody is predicting major fireworks. Accordingly there are no huge developments for Winter 2012. Polartec Neo Shell was a new fabric everyone dabbled with this season, and as a durable shell fabric it’s great, but I haven’t seen much of it so far for 2012. Insulated shell jackets will be very evident again for 2012 both in snowsports and the general standing about category. Down and synthetic insulation seems largely unchanged with more down layering pieces like the ever popular Rab Microlight Alpine jackets from other brands. Lots of softshell as usual although in general it is the more breathable and less water resistant fabrics that are being used. Softshell is great as abrasion resistant climbing clothing in various weights and fabrics which doubles as kicking about clothing but I do struggle with being sold lightweight softshell which can be used for layering!

At the end of the month is ISPO 2012 where all the skis and hardware developments will be unveiled for next winter. I have heard that the Plum touring binding with brake will be on show but not available till next autumn. Always fun to see what crazy marketing theme K2 have come up with and I have heard the meerest whisper of a new transceiver…

Please blog readers do not hesitate to drop me an email or comment here on any products that you feel fit in with us at Facewest that I should take a look at for 2012. If you like them there is a very good chance that a lot of our other customers will too.

Things have gone very smoothly this Christmas with almost everybody receiving their stuff on time, especially nice after the disaster that was last year. Thanks to everyone who signed up to our Advent season of daily offers and hopefully there was something for you, tomorrow is a corker of a last day so stick with it.

Facewest will be open 9 to 5 everyday that isn’t a weekend or a bank holiday. We are expecting quite a haul of orders to deal with next wednesday but are ready for it!

In the meantime try not to eat too much and get a bit of exercise. Weather is not looking that interesting but good for those getting jackets as presents!

All orders will be shipped with either Parcelforce, UPS or Royal Mail Special Delivery.

The role would be 5 and a half hours a day with a half hour break, Monday to Friday. Hours 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (hours are slightly fexible but not by much). 24 days holiday per year plus bank holidays. Salary £9000 p.a.

The role is a general warehouse assistant encompassing picking and packing orders, receiving deliveries, stock taking, laser engraving (full training given), courier bill checking, tidying up and lots of little jobs that crop up in small businesses. There is no heavy lifting involved.

The successful applicant will be reliable, accurate and punctual with reasonable computer skills and good numeracy.

If that sounds like you then send your CV to stu@facewest.co.uk