NIAGARA ADVENTURE CLUB

Have a pair of MEC Istrum pants, size 40/32 in black. Worn a long time ago for one weekend and basically brand new for anyone local who would want these? https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5033-049/Istrum-Pants-32%22 Description Descended from the beloved River and Rad Pants, the Istrums are the ones for rock, rivers and trails. Durable fabric stands up to scratchy underbrush or grainy quartzite. The elastic waist does away with unnecessary zippers or buttons, and sits nicely under a harness. And a hit of stretch provides excellent movement and ease. Made of durable ripstop nylon and spandex, with recycled content. Durable water repellent (DWR) finish provides weather protection against unexpected showers. Drawcords at the hems seal out bugs or let you roll and secure them for river crossings. Gusseted crotch allows full movement. Drawcord elastic waist with faux fly. Jean-style front pockets, back pockets have Velcro® closures. Cold wash, no fabric softener, bleach, ironing, dry cleaning. Hang to dry.

It is important to note, that accessory cord is not rated for Dynamic falls. It is a Static product only, and as such, the numbers below are listed in Lbs and Kgs. I will post a KN rating in brackets, but this is to only aid in building anchors, as the masterpoint of a proper climbing anchor should always be at least 22kN. These rating are based on Sterling Accessory Cord, as this is the product that Niagara Adventure Club uses and sells . However, all brands meant for climbing will have a similiar rating. (M BS = Minimum Breaking Strength) PRODUCT MBS RATING Sterling Mini Cord 1.5mm 118Lbs / 53.5kg (0.5kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 2mm 225Lbs / 102.0kg (1.0kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 2.75mm 270Lbs / 122.5kg (1.2kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 3mm 472Lbs / 214.0kg (2.1kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 4mm 876Lbs / 397.3kg (3.9kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 5mm 1169Lbs / 530.2kg (5.2kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 6mm 1978Lbs / 897.2kg (8.8kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 7mm 2788Lbs / 1264.6kg (12.4kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 8mm 3506Lbs / 1590.3kg (15.6kN) Sterling Accessory Cord 9mm 3102Lbs / 1407.0kg (13.8kN) Source: www.sterlingrope.com

One of the questions we get from our guests before any backpacking trip is what type of sleeping bag they should use. That’s a great question, especially considering all the different options out there! Sleeping bags have different shapes, materials, and ratings – and it can be quite overwhelming to figure out what type you need. Here are some guidelines to consider the next time you’re shopping for a sleeping bag! SHAPE: Mummy Tight-fitting and contouring your body shape, these bags offer the most lightweight shape, since they are smaller overall. They achieve warmth by limiting the volume of space around your body that needs to be heated throughout the night. Their light weight and smaller size make them the best option for backpacking , as long as you’re ok with less room to spread out at night. Semi-rectangular These are slightly roomier than mummy bags (imagine a crossover between a mummy bag and a rectangular bag), so they’re great for people who don’t mind adding a little weight for a more spacious and comfortable night’s sleep. These bags are great for rafting or basecamp hiking trips where weight and compressibility aren’t as critical. Rectangular The comfort-driven shape of sleeping bags, these are great for car camping, where you’re not carrying the bag more than a few yards from the car. Enveloping lots of space around your body with their rectangular shape, these sleeping bags are often thicker and heavier (to keep the same temperature rating as a mummy bag) because of the extra volume and insulation – and your body has more air inside the sleeping bag to keep warm! FILL: Down Known for its light weight and high compressibility, down insulation is great under cold but dry conditions. Look for a bag with high “fill power” – down that has a high loft – for better warmth, but be sure to take extra care to keep your sleeping bag dry. Down loses its insulating capability when it gets wet, so down sleeping bags require a little more maintenance and protection in the field. Synthetic Known to be heavier than down, but still insulating when wet, synthetic is very durable and often at a lower price point. It’s great for people with allergies – who may find themselves allergic to a down sleeping bag. It’s also a lower-stress bag in the field, as you don’t have to be quite as committed to keeping it perfectly dry. RATING: Summer Typically for temperatures 30F and higher, these bags should cover summer backpacking throughout the Lower 48. They’re lighter weight (because they have less insulation) and often can pack down smaller. 3-Season For midrange temps (15F to 30F), these bags are slightly heavier and more insulated. This is a good rating for a summer backpacking trip in the Wrangells of Alaska, just be sure to combine it with a good, high R Value, sleeping pad if you’ll be sleeping on a glacier. Winter For winter backpacking or mountaineering trips, these are the warmest bags. Covering temperatures down to 15F and lower. They’re often quite tight-fitting (to limit the amount of interstitial space), and can be much bulkier and heavier than a summer sleeping bag (but well worth it when you’re sleeping on snow!) These can be overkill for a backpacking trips, so it may be best to leave it behind and use a 3-Season bag and good sleeping pad instead. I hope this information is useful to all those who regularly ask. This article is an edited copy of "Tech Tip - How to Choose a Sleeping Bag" Written by: St. Elias Alpine Guides of Alaska