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http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199704801/Avalanche-Failure-to-Follow-DirectionsWarning-Notices-Inexperience-New-Hampshire-Mount-Washington-Lion-Head-Trail

No. I count the elevation change for both the ascent and descent, so don't need to multiply the elevation change by 0.5. That's why I get back to the trailhead earlier than planned.

I also find that the 1/2 hour per mile and 1/2 hour per 1000 feet works for me. To simplify the math, I'll divide the total distance by 2 and add 1/1000th of the elevation. For example, a 8.6 mile hike with a 2400 foot elevation change will take 8.6/2 + 2.4 = 6.7 hours. My actual times are...

If you do decide to try a windshell, you may find that your mid layers are too warm and don't allow moisture to travel from your skin to the shell. In that case, you should consider changing from your current fleeces to plain fleeces or lightweight wool sweaters.

I'll typically wear a wind shell over a base layer/midlayer and carry a light rain jacket and pants. Depending on the weather conditions, I might also carry an insulated shell.

The first time I tried on a soft-shell, I didn't like it either. The material was pretty thick and it looked like it would take up quite a bit of room in my pack and I never bought any. Sometime later, it seems like some marketing folks decided that what had been commonly called wind shells in...

My Ferrosi has no lining. I don't know if the REI description is accurate concerning the lining.

I've been happy with an OR Ferrosi hooded jacket. https://www.rei.com/product/203542/outdoor-research-ferrosi-hoodie-mens LLBean also sells a similar jacket...

I have a few pieces of Patagonia clothing, but nothing special that other companies don't also make. Some of their clothing that I bought has turned out to be not as useful as I thought when I bought them. If I had your gift certificate, I'd probably buy a lightweight rain jacket.

This boot might work for you: https://www.zamberlanusa.com/product/20100894/2090-mountain-pro-evo-gtx-r-rr-men-s-mountaineering-boots-black-orange

If using boots with plastic shells, it would also be a good idea to see a boot fitter at a local ski shop. They can heat the shell and shape it to fit unusually-shaped feet.

Something else you could consider, if you haven't yet, is to get a custom footbed for your smaller foot. A thick footbed would reduce the volume of the boot and keep your foot from sliding around as much. That's how downhill ski boot companies can offer 1/2 sizes even though the shells come in...

I tried a pair of Lowa boots around 20 years ago and found them to be narrow in the front and loose in the heel. Last month, I tried another pair of Lowa boots and they fit the same as 20 years ago. I ended up buying a pair of Zamberlan Vioz boots that come in wide sizes. My new boots have...

I use Fox River double ragg mitts with BD Mercury Mitt shells. https://www.rei.com/product/800382/fox-river-double-ragg-mittens

I also used one of these: https://verticalarchaeology.com/2014/06/23/forrest-mjollnir-hammer-system/, and eventually upgraded to a BD X-15 hammer.

Chouinard used to make axes with removable picks and were called X-tools. That's the kind I have, with the classic pick: https://forums.redpointuniversity.com/topic/248/chouinard-ice-axe-history-identification-1969-1989/9 You would not want to change a pick while standing on front points.

To safely descend that section you should probably down climb, which is basically the same way you went up except in reverse. It would be a good idea to learn how to do something like that with someone belaying you. It may be worthwhile to take an "Introduction to Ice Climbing" course. Check...

i'd feel safe using my 50 cm axe on both of those scenarios. Another comment is that in your scenario 2 picture, all the footprints go around the ice. My footprints would go straight up because I would also be wearing 12point crampons.

The ones with grips/handles are usually called "ice tools" and are designed for climbing vertical ice. 50 years ago, all ice axes had straight shafts and the only real differences were the shape of the pick and the overall length. For general mountaineering, the common length was 70 cm and for...

I consider a general mountaineering ice axe to be an actual ice axe. Can you provide more detail as far as what you consider the difference to be?