Kala Gear Field Test 02Mar19

With heavy snow falling we set out into the Arapahoe NF. Kala was "testing" several new pieces of kit. On our last outing Kala's hydration froze and she drank from mine - a modestly insulated Camelbak circa 2005... to remedy I acquired a recent insulated Osprey tube and valve and retrofitted that onto an extra insulated Camelbak hydration vessel. Of course it worked at 32° but I sense it will be good at much lower temps (see the silver boot near her chest). Kala was very pleased with the grab and lack of snow build-up on her new stainless steel Serrate snowshoes... she even tested the climbing mode heel piece up a smidge of incline successfully - invoking and disabling that will require some experience. I got Kala some BD Expedition collapsible aluminum poles to match her new NNN-BC ski setup as well as her new snowshoes... they work great. I've had graphite but would never do that again; they break. Her legs are wrapped in new Arcteryx Gamma LT softshell pants over an Arcteryx poly base layer - plenty for this day and at much lower temperatures. For phalanges, we outfitted Kala with some new Gordini Nauralloft Lavawool gloves - she has marginal circulation out there. I also scored Kala a cool wool hat from Sherpa from recent REI sales - warm & cool at once. Here's the full kit adorning my bride recently below Buffalo Mtn... we broke trail both directions early AM during a break in the snow on Saturday. Many others were pleased with our effort.