Clothing system for high altitude and varied conditions

You had better start by defining what you mean by High Altitude because for me that is 5000metres and above and what you list I would consider totally inadequate.

I returned my alpine Houdini after it leaked badly on a recent day hike.  I switched to a Patagonia stretch rainshadow for 10.5 oz.

I usually wear a ss wicking shirt, and sometimes a ls vented sun/bug shirt or an R1 fleece for cooler weather hiking. Then a montbell anorak in camp.

I’m trying a slighltly different approach for Philmont this summer.  Still start with a wicking shirt, but plan to hike in a Ferrosi hooded jacket when cooler.  I might still bring the montbell anorak or possibly a Patagonia Nano Air for camp.  I lost my R1 to my son’s kit and really like the soft shell ferrosi so far in its place.  The Nano Air is for consideration of the possibly wetter monsoon conditions in NM.  In SoCal (or I hear the Sierra) the rain is short so I’d pick the lighter down option.

You had better start by defining what you mean by High Altitude

+1. Colorado mountains, Olympic National Park, Cordillera Blanca of Peru – all quite different 3 season conditions and clothing. Depending on where you are, the altitude, the amount of moisture and amount of snow all play a big role in your 3 season gear (May – Oct) to match the conditions.

@ AH

+ 1 to the need to define “high altitude.”

The Arcteryx jacket you mention is Goretex Paclite which would probably hold up better in sustained rain than the Houdini but if you expect a lot of rain and a lot of exertion while wearing a shell, you might want pit zips.

Many of Arcteryx’s SL (super light) shells have achieved low weight by losing the pit zips. Read the feature list and if pit zips are not named, the article of clothing does not have them.

The OR Foray Paclite shell has pit zips that you can totally unzip so it is almost like a small poncho.

Most of my three season hiking is done between 10,500 to 13,000 feet in elevation in the inter mountain west. I hike in shorts 99% of the time and carry no long pants. I do however, carry some 15d windpants and silkweight long underwear bottoms but use both primarily for camp and sleeping. My hiking top is a mock t 1/4 zip long sleeve shirt and in the shoulder seasons I bring a 100wt fleece top for sleeping and cold days. I also bring a Houdini wind shirt as well.

I find this to be perfectly adequate for my needs with day temps in the 30’s to the 70’s. I have been caught at times with colder day temps and have a silk weight long top that can be added to the mix as well if needed, but it is my sleep top and I like to keep it as clean as possible. I also carry a warm down vest for stops and in camp on the coldest days.

I find when on the move I don’t need much and don’t mind being a bit on the cold side. If it’s too cold in camp for my clothing, I just get in my bag.

The Alpha SL has zero venting. If you’re a warm body you are begging for a miserable experience. You’ll be drenched on the inside quickly.

Consider the Black Diamond Liquid Point instead.

A: It’s cheaper than the Alpha SL

B: It has pockets

C: It has pit zips

D: Same Paclite construction