On a day when temperatures ranged from cold in the early morning to balmy during the ascent and then frigid wind on the summit, there was ample opportunity for the A-Bom‘s to fog up. However, thanks to a push of the button on the side of the goggle before embarking on the six hour journey, these babies kept my vision crystal clear.
As just previously mentioned, the weather was a bit variable throughout our adventure. I wore the QOR Baselayer Crew LS, constructed utilizing Polartec Power Wool. Power Wool is built with the combination of merino wool on the inside and synthetic fibers on the outer layer. The wool is naturally odor resistant, is breathable even when wet and is able to wick moisture away from the skin and to the outer synthetic construction. Throughout my excursion, whether it was creeping up the steeper pitches and sweating buckets, or rounding out the descent and battling bone chilling wind, the baselayer kept me as comfortable as possible given the conditions.
As for outerwear, I was sporting the Black Diamond Vapor Point shell and Mission pants. Both garments are 3-layer Gore-Tex pieces, ensuring high level protection from the elements should weather have rolled in.
On this day, I found the Vapor Point’s minimalist, lightweight design quite beneficial when skinning in the sun. The double vents on each leg of the Mission pants were also useful in allowing building heat to escape. Once atop final approach along the ridge, however, the wind picked up, and temperatures plummeted. I was thankful for the 3-layer protection the kit had to offer.
After topping out on the summit, it was time for the fun to start. The Carbon Megawatts performed admirably for a ski meant for deep snow, its rockered tip floating above the softer snow at lower elevation and its less rockered tips helped drive through turns in the varying conditions. Its lightweight carbon construction certainly didn’t result in any lack of stability, either.
All-in-all the day was a grand success. Our 4,300 feet of climbing was rewarded with some delectable spring corn and some high fives to go along with it.
Related: Testing the all-new Black Diamond Dawn Patrol 25 pack
