Italian Kit

The snow ridge and final rocks lead to the top

 

The Rainetto perched way above us

The trouble with being active is you wear out all your kit.  So I had some new stuff with me and this is how it faired. Bear in mind The Petit Mont Blanc is only 3424 meters. We did have long walk in and out to add to the 1720 meters of climbing. So more a physical challenge than a technical one. Nevertheless an excellent opportunity for forming first impressions of Man and Material.

• Socks          Took the wrong ones and got blisters.
• Compede Plasters      Worked great.
• Freezer boxes      Make great plates and you can put the first cooked item in one then into your puffer jacket whilst you cook the rest.
• Titanium Spork     Doesn’t snap and is long enough to reach to the bottom of the Jet Boil.
• Neutrino Endurance Jacket (RAB)  Light weight, Packs small and essential if the Rainetto Bivouac is full and you have to sleep out. Loved it. Toasty warm all night.
• Exodus Pant (RAB)    Secure double fixing at the waist. Belt and Bracers ! Side vents better and more flexible than Zip offs. Great ankle/boot closure. RAB recommend frequent washing which for a mucky bugger like me is essential.
• Power Monkey Solar charger     Kept the camera and phone charged. The twiddley interchangeable plugs are easily lost so tie them together with fine paraglider line. Might make a nice charm bracelet.
• Go Pro Camera   Nice piece of kit but once it’s on your head a dimwit like me can never remember which button he pressed last.  I think they are now producing a blue tooth remote.  Yet another toy to buy.