Mountain Hardwear is well known for innovation and reliability in outdoor gear, and their Hydra alpine/climbing gloves were no exception. As we often do when evaluating a piece of outdoor equipment, we took the Mt. Hardwear Hydra gloves on several trips with a variety of cold, wet, and winter weather conditions. And as we customarily do, we chose a product that our initial research suggested would be a worthy piece of kit to recommend to others.

However, our first choice was to test a pair of Mt. Hardwear Medusa insulated gloves, designed for high altitude mountaineering, when the winter of 2010 was at its coldest. But only the Hydra gloves where available to us, so we ran with it. What else could we do? The word “No” is such an indelicate word.

We figured Hydra was using most of the same technology the Medusa gloves offered, but with a lesser threshold of winter severity and comfort range. As it turned out, that scenario worked out well and compelled us to tailor our test sessions to just plain freezing cold weather.

So at this point, it’s our contention that we actually do have a good idea of how well the Medusa gloves would work simply because the Hydra’s worked so well in the applications we wore them in. That said, we would still like to evaluate the Medusa gloves on their own merits. In any event, you, the reader, can draw some insight into all the Mt. Hardwear alpine and mountaineering gloves that use the OutDry® waterproofing technology, including the Medusa.

Hydra top view. Note length of wrist gauntlets and adjustment cord.

At a combined weight of seven ounces, they are already ultra-light. You won’t have to torment yourself on color options as these finger-guards only come in black, with charcoal grey goatskin leather palms (Size range: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL). Interior gauntlet color is “Help Me” orange. And the high-pile fleece lining is not only warm and fuzzy, but it’s black as well. You can expect to pay about $100.00 for a pair for an investment that will likely last for many years of hard use.

OutDry® is the waterproof, yet breathable membrane just beneath the Hydra’s exterior shell. Hydra’s four-way stretchable glove shell is bonded to the OutDry® membrane to create a barrier to wind, water, and the piercing nature of low temperatures.  And because these construction materials are bonded together, not even the sewn glove seams are vulnerable to weather intrusion.

Goatskin leather palms allow good grip and finger dexterity.

And under the exterior weather proof shell and membrane, the Hydra gloves are lined with high-pile Velboa™ Raschel fleece for warmth. Now, the primary difference between the Hydra and Medusa gloves is what Mt. Hardwear describes as high-tenacity nylon glove shell material and include removable heavier-gauge fleece Windstopper glove liners. Not to be denied the potential for additional hand warmth, we simply used our own liner-gloves when temps dropped and our activity became more sedentary during the evening hours.

We found the long glove gauntlets (gauntlets cover the wrist and forearm) and the ability to secure the Hydra gloves over long-sleeve outerwear to be excellent, like wearing boot gaiters. The extended OutDry® and glove-shell combination along the lower forearms offered additional warmth and protection when working with the hands to manage icy objects or dig in the snow.

Goatskin leather palms of the Hydra (and the entire Mountain Hardwear OutDry® series of alpine and mountaineering gloves) are waterproof and hardy while retaining that ever so important characteristic of being pliable. In the long-run, it may be that the goatskin leather needs to be maintained with waterproofing sealants simply to keep the leather conditioned properly. The Hydra’s shell and membrane will not lose its waterproof capability, but leather of any kind needs periodic maintenance to ensure the leather lasts as long as the glove shells.

For a pair of alpine gloves with as much weather and abrasive protection as the Hydra gloves deliver, we were very happy with the dexterity and grip.

Interior view of glove gauntlet.

And when you are loaded up with your pack and outerwear for the day, gloved hands can make for some clumsy moments. Our Hydra’s worked very well for those times where we had to fasten a jacket zipper, reach for the water bottle, or set up a tent. Each glove is outfitted with a carabiner loop to clip the gloves to your gear or hang them on. You can use the clear gauntlet-adjuster tab your teeth to cinch up the gloves around your wrists.

You can question whether you really need a pair of gloves like the Mt. Hardwear Hydra gloves if your back country activities are less than full-on mountaineering or clinging to granite spires with ropes and pitons. And that’s a valid question. But we found these Hydra gloves to be extremely adept to back country pack trips, hikes, and overnight trips in cold weather.

Even now, snow and ice continue to dominate the high-country as spring blends into summer. We found these gloves are well suited for any mountain adventure where the gear you have with you is the equipment that makes or breaks the joy-factor of that experience.

Wrist-cuff adjustment tab is easy to reach and secure gloves.

When your hands are wet and cold, you’re compelled to stop and warm up. These Hydra gloves virtually eliminate wet and cold hands, and they are good for use in any upper-elevation conditions where snow, ice, rain and cold can sweep in at any time of year.

Check out the full line of Mt. Hardwear OutDry® gloves, and we’re fairly certain you’ll find a pair that will fit your application for many alpine excursions to come. Although our first choice was the Medusa gloves, we wouldn’t have experienced just how versatile and comfortable the Hydra’s turned out to be.

By the way, these Hydra’s will be on-board when trout season opens the last weekend of April in the High Sierras. No doubt, the weather will be chilly up around 8,000 feet where cold and wet is part and parcel simply to catch enough Alpers to make dinner. When the backcountry opens up, these gloves will be on the gear list.

By Rick Shandley

Long Trail Hauler… Cerro Torre TFX 10

 Lowe Alpine’s 2010 Cerro Torre 65:85 TFX 10 (Torso Fit Expedition) backpack is a thoughtfully designed, internal frame, platform built to perform on multi-day treks with moderate to heavy loads up to 66 pounds. And deliver it does. We’ve had the Cerro Torre 65:85 on several alpine hikes where any lapses in pack comfort and durability would be revealed by the end of any one day on the trail. Check it out now for your consideration as this pack should be available by March 2010 or early spring. 

Cerro Torre is a top-loader pack designed with dual vertical aluminum stays providing rigid support for the internal frame to work with the TFX multi-adjustment suspension system.

Fitting the Cerro Torre to your body type is a simple procedure. With the pack off, and the shoulder straps facing you, just flip the lumbar pad up, loose the buckle to slide the color-coded back-plate up or down to fit your torso according to the horizontal lines (Medium, Large, X-large) on the back-plate. Your torso measurement will appear in the buckle. Next you re-fit the lumbar pad and you’re good to go.

Back balance is handled by the Torso Motion system designed to let the waistbelt move relative to your spine as the internal frame of the Cerro Torre TFX moves and rotates with your torso. As part of the TXF system, high performance foam inside the lumbar pad forms to the natural curve of your lower back, and the upper pads offer cushion to your upper back while allowing the pack to ride close to your body.   

Torso Fit Expedition (TFX) adjustment system shows lumbar pad, buckle, and back support.

Cerro Torre can expand from 65-Liters of cargo space, to 85-Liters when you require more carrying capacity. This 20-Liter’s of extra/optional cargo space has closures at the top of the main pack compartment and at top of the pack extension. This double-collar closure system protects cargo (in addition to the top lid flap) whether the Cerro Torre TFX 10 is at maximum load capacity or not.

The pack lid is removable, and the entire depth of the pack can be used for packing bulky gear, such as setting up a base camp where each person carries entire loads dedicated to food, tents, sleeping bags, water, etc. Zippered compartments at top, bottom, and the middle of the pack permit total access to gear without unloading the entire pack.

At the bottom of the main pack, where your lighter load items should be packed, an ample sleeping bag compartment has enough room for a down sleeping bag and additional gear. For our trips, the sleeping bag compartment was loaded with a Sierra Designs Arrow Rock 30 down sleeping bag in its stuff sack, the new Therm-A-Rest NeoAire sleeping pad (very compact and light) as well as a down sweater and Adventure Medical First Aid kit.

Bottom sleeping bag compartment held a Sierra Designs Arrow Rock 30 down bag, a Therm-A-Rest NeoAire pad, and then some.

A separate sleeping bag compartment is a feature so many backpack designs don’t include, but it makes pack organization and protection for the sleeping bag so much more efficient, and allows you to keep potential spills or wet gear from your sleeping bag.

The Cerro Torre TFX 10 comes with a rain-cover that stores in its own zippered pouch on the frame-side of the main pack flap. The rain cover has elastic material around its circumference to cling onto the Cerro Torre in whatever phase of load capacity it has onboard, with enough room to cover gear (there are exceptions) you might have lashed onto the outside.

On the pack exterior, lash points and well-designed gear loops are located at every logical position you’ll need on the pack exterior for those treks where you’ll want to secure poles, ice ax, snow shovel, sleeping pads, or any piece of equipment that is not practical for storage in the main compartment.   And without going through the top of the pack to get at gear, heavy nylon zippers on the central pack main panel allow you to get at gear inside the main compartment without unpacking the Cerro Torre. For example, if your stove is at the bottom of the main compartment and you need a mid-day cup of hot tea with your lunch, you simply lay the pack on the ground, straps-down, unzip the main compartment and pull your stove, cook kit, and food out. When it’s time to get back to the trail, you’ll replace the gear into the main compartment and zip it back up.  The load cinching compression-straps with side-locking nylon buckles are easy to hook back up to keep your entire pack-load tight and secure; and you are on your way again.

The Cerro Torre TFX 10 comes with its own onboard rain cover. That's always nice to have.

That’s another detail we liked about the Cerro Torre TFX, there are enough compression straps located at the sides, bottom and top of this pack to completely secure your pack load from wiggling or load-shifting . All the side-locking buckles, including the hip-belt, shoulder straps, chest strap, and all the load-securing strap buckles are constructed of lightweight composite materials which contribute to a light overall empty pack weight of about 6 pounds. To achieve this low empty pack weight-to-load carrying capacity, Lowe Alpine uses 1000-denier nylon, 600-denier ripstop polyester, and 600-denier hexagon-patterned polyester fabrics for the pack itself.

 However, because the lightweight nature of the side-locking buckles and nylon straps, you should pull the straps in a straight line to tighten, not just yank them at any odd angle. We did yank one of the load-tightening straps at an off-angle and broke it. You must take that into consideration with any backpack you choose to own.  We’ve owned packs with heavy-duty side-locking strap connectors such as those found on the Kelty Trekker or the Gregory Spear (military) that are almost bomb-proof. But they add accumulated weight to the empty pack. There’s always a design tradeoff, and the buckles used on the Cerro Torre are plenty strong and durable long as you are conscious of how you treat them.

Inside the main cargo chamber of the Cerro Torre, on the frame side, is a pocket for your water bladder along with a fabric hoop at top to suspend the bladder, and a clearly marked exit hole in the upper right side of the pack to thread the drinking hose through. We were using a 2-liter Camelbak water bladder for our trips, but the pocket will easily hold two 2-liter bladders or a 3-liter. This is merely another example of the design being thought out by a team that has been at it for several decades and tons of real-world testing experience to draw from.

Different trip, different gear, the Cerro Torre TFX 10 is a comfortable long-haul backpack.

Torso Fit Expedition lumbar and back suspension view.

Another, zippered, pocket is located on the inside-front of the main cargo chamber for easy access from inside the pack or, by unzipping the front panel, the exterior of the pack to accommodate small, flat, gear items you want to keep separate from primary gear. At the bottom of the main cargo cavity, which is the top of the sleeping bag compartment, is a zippered false-bottom that you can open up and literally use the entire 85-liters (5,187 cubic inches) of the Cerro Torre volume capacity.

We found that with the storage pockets on the inside, bottom, and top of the Cerro Torre, you have enough compartments to organize your gear without the need for exterior side pockets. On the exterior of the pack lid there is a large pocket for your map, compass, and quick access items. Another large pocket is available on the underside of the pack lid; with international distress signal procedure stenciled in clear instructions in French and English.

ON THE TRAIL

The Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre TFX 10 packed great on the trail. On a 12-mile hike in the Sierra Nevada, the Torso Fit Expedition pack fit system is straightforward, allowing easy adjustment and fit-tuning on the trail. By extending the color-coded lumbar support adjustment to fit a long torso, this Cerro Torre, loaded with approximately 40 pounds, rode close to the body and distributed the pack weight across the top of the hip. There was no tendency to bind clothes or chaff the lower back skin when using a leather waist belt to hold up the Mt. Khakis Original Alpine pants. Working in combination with the adjustable hip pad, shoulder straps, and sternum strap, we found the Cerro Torre easy to adjust and cinch up while hiking with the pack on.

On the trail, the Cerro Torre TFX 10 fit close to the body and did not bind or chaff, even in hot weather.

The pack was loaded light at the bottom with the heavier items up towards the top. Compression straps are also located over the bottom sleeping bag pocket of the Cerro Torre. These two vertical straps not only allow you to cinch up to keep gear from moving around on the hike, but they also make a convenient place to hold your jacket or long pants once the sun comes out and you’re shedding clothes by midday.

Whether it was due to incorrect pack adjustment, hunched shoulders, or shoulder-bulk, the shoulder straps seemed to taper too narrow, too quickly, from where they contact the top of the shoulder to the front of the chest. There is plenty of shoulder-strap padding where the straps are at their widest point; but that point was not where the pack rode on this trip, even when the shoulder straps where adjusted very snug. This is the one potential downside we observed with the Cerro Torre, but it’s a subjective observation for one individual that certainly will not apply to most body types it is designed to fit.

Notwithstanding, the Cerro Torre TFX 10 handled the pack weight, had plenty of room and carrying capacity for more gear, and it was comfortable on a hike that was well above 10,000 elevation. The trail itself was rock-strewn and ascended at steep inclines in various places. Both the altitude and the trail were challenging enough to require significant physical effort. There were few trail sections where strolling upright was the norm, most of the time it required leaning into the trail, burning calories and hauling like a misunderstood donkey.

Burning calories and perspiration, especially in summer and early fall seasons, comes with the freedom of backpacking. The Cerro Torre torso and lumbar padding did a good job of wicking away sweat where the pack is in contact with your body.

Deep mesh pockets on either bottom sides of the Cerro Torre held two EcoReusable stainless steel water bottles. This pocket shows the Benchmark Marc A. Lee Glory knife.

A sturdy nylon loop at the inside top of the Cerro Torre and two nylon loops at both sides of the pack bottom facilitated getting the pack on and off, with or without the help of another person. When pack-loads get really heavy, it’s always a good idea to have a friend help you get into the pack or take it off, and those grab handles can come in real handy. The grab handles at the pack bottom are also good lash points for securing gear outside the pack, as are the other built-in lashing points you can employ to tie down your early morning outerwear, ice ax, or trekking poles when not in use.

Two deep pockets at either bottom side of the Cerro Torre are convenient for storing water bottles, gloves, and anything else you want easy access to. On this trip, two stainless steel EcoReusable liter-sized water bottles rode in these pockets and secured with small carabiners onto the compression straps outside the pockets. With the elastic pocket tops, the compression strap, carabiners, and deep pockets, there was no worry about losing the water bottles.

Final Thoughts

We found the Cerro Torre TFX to be an extremely capable, multi-day backpack that is fully able to perform on long-mileage hikes. The pack is able to take on heavier loads, adjusts very well with the compression straps to secure the load and size-it down as you use up food or simply take it on an overnight hike with minimal gear.

Because the upper, expandable section of the Cerro Torre uses dual enclosures to seal the top of the pack, we found this a great location for carrying a three-man Hilleberg Kaitum 3 mountaineering tent. Plenty of cargo room and enough pack adjustments for long trips made the Cerro Torre one of the best long mileage, internal-frame packs we have enjoyed this year. It’s a pack you can so easily adjust to fit several torso sizes that you can grow into it, if you are a youngster, or make it available to friends who want to get into backpacking and may not own their own backpack just yet.

Asolo Lowe Alpine and the gear they produce are known for reliability and comfort. The new Cerro Torre TFX 10 is a backpack we will definitely take on future backpack and alpine trips. And you will be seeing this pack in the gear list on trail stories going forward.

 Review/Photos by R. Shandley

End of the day. We found this big flat rock to cook on and sort out the gear. A Hilleberg Kaitum 3 tent sits at top of the Cerro Torre TFX 10.

Cerro Torre TFX 10 loaded up and ready to hike.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Price: $299.99

Dimensions: 29” x 15” x 11”

Weight: 6 pounds (empty)

Access: Top / Bottom / Front 

Volume: 65L (3,967 cu in) expandable to 85 L (5,187 cu in)
Torso: 16 – 23 in (41 – 59 cm)

Frame: Internal frame

Materials: Ripstop Nylon/ Ballistic

Colors: Croc-Green, Terracotta, Black
Features:

Load range: 55 – 70 lbs.

Expedition quality: Yes

Expandable Capacity: Yes

Exterior Lash Points: Yes

Fully Adjustable: Yes

Full Access: Yes

Hydration Compatible: Yes

Ice Axe Loops: Yes

Dual Trekking Pole Loops: Yes

Sleeping Bag Compartment: Yes

Rain Cover: Yes

Compression Straps: Yes

Grab Handles: Yes

Named after a famous peak in the Swiss Alps, the Eiger hiking boot is an innovative technical approach shoe that is the cornerstone for Wenger Swiss Army footwear lineup introduced in 2008. This is a boot that merits consideration as an all-around hiker you can place your confidence in.

The Eiger is engineered with high-end technologies designed to provide comfort and traction on long hikes and alpine approaches. Eiger is constructed with a waterproof, yet breathable, membrane inner bootie. Both the insole and liner use anti-microbial and anti-bacterial technology that not only keeps foot odor in check, it helps prevent bacteria related foot ailments from affecting the feet on a long backpack or trek where you’re counting on one pair of boots the entire way.

Another foot-saving technology Wenger has designed into the Eiger boot and each model in the Alps Collection (Shiltorn, Lotschen, Matterhorn and Interlaken: all named for Swiss peaks) is the Active Inertia System, a technology that displaces vibrations towards the outer edges of the shoe by redirecting impacts outward rather than upwards through your ankles, shins, legs, etc. Combine this with a multi-density outsole called Spyraflex System that protects the feet and absorbs and disperses impacts so common on a long hike. Furthermore, the Eiger boot uses a Temposit technology for the sole as the composite materials allows the sole to harden in cold weather and soften in warm conditions. These are some impressive characteristics in a boot, and we are eager to test them ourselves.

The Eiger boot is available in cool grey(pictured above), dark brown, beige, and black for men. Women can choose from black and cool grey. Suggested retail price is: $170.00 .

Eiger Specifications

• Impact-Dampening Spydraflex Outsole with Temposit (Reactive Outsole Material Shifting Pliability by Climate)
• AIS “Active Inertia System” Dissipating Vibration in the Midsole
• Hydrofoiled: HF Wave-Length Waterproof / Breathable Membrane Bootie
• Comfort Finish Slip-in Lining, High-Frequency Spot Welded (Seamless Like a Sock)
• Toe Rand and Heel Sling on the Upper are 3-D Molded Holds Heel, Toe Shape, and Position
• Insole and Liner are Anti-Microbial and Antibacterial (Reducing Risk of Athlete’s Foot from Bacterial Build-up)
• Molded Insole, Contoured to the Foot Bed with Iconic Logo Pattern for cooling the Foot, Air Circulation and Breathability

If your backcountry ventures take you up in elevation where thunderstorms, wind and plummeting night time temperatures are a normal part of your trip,  then consider the Kelty Apex Series Foxhole and Marauder tents.

A four-season tent built for all conditions, the Foxhole is an affordable shelter made for camping in a variety of environments. A hubbed, two-pole design combines with clip attachment points for quick and easy set up. Fusion welded tent floor and fly result in lighter, more durable and fully waterproof seams. The Foxhole has two doors and two vestibules for quick access to gear while a welded window in the vestibule lets you check the weather from your sleeping bag.

The Foxhole’s closable mesh panels and vented fly regulate temperature. DAC Featherlite NSL poles reduce weight while adding strength. Available in a two-person version for $379.95 and three-person versions for $419.95.

Designed to excel in adverse conditions where reliability is essential, the Kelty Marauder is built to withstand the elements. Five-pole construction keeps the Marauder standing tall in snow, wind and rain while the fly connects securely with side release buckles. Fusion welded tent floor and rainfly are stitch-free, resulting in supremely durable, watertight seams. A large front and smaller rear vestibule provide ample space to stow gear while closable mesh panels and a vented fly regulate temperature. DAC Featherlite NSL poles reduce weight while adding strength and a clear, welded window provides a view of the world outside. Available in a 2-person version for $419.95 and 3-person versions for $499.95.

You can see the full line-up of Kelty shelters and backpacking gear at: www.kelty.com .

Product review by: Rick Shandley

When Timex chose to engineer a multi-function sensor watch for extreme high-country and rugged outdoor activity, they went a little further than thinking out of the box…they went out of bounds!  With the availability of the Timex Expedition WS4 timepiece outdoorsmen and women, mountaineers and backcountry travelers have access to a functional and valuable wrist-mounted instrument they can count on.

The Expedition WS4 is designed for extreme mountaineering at hyper-high elevations, but it’s a natural for wearing daily as the design is current with many of the fashion trends in wrist-wear these days, yet it delivers solid information regardless of your activity.

Working with legendary mountaineer Conrad Anker, Timex designed the Expedition Wide Screen 4 (WS4) with four significant functions mountaineers need to make sound decisions when operating at high elevations.  In 2008, Anker used a prototype of the WS4 on an ascent attempt of Meru, a peak in the Garwhal region of the Himalaya. The 6330-meter peak (approximately 20,767 feet elevation) proved an extremely harsh challenge, one in which the Expedition WS4 handled with aplomb. The Meru climb also provided Anker with expert feedback that has been incorporated into the WS4.

In addition to accurate, digital, time keeping, the WS4’s functions include an onboard Compass, Altimeter, Barometer, and Thermometer. Within this group of functions are several useful sub-functions that give the user a well rounded set of tools to operate in a harsh environment. The sub-functions of Alarms, stop-watch, time-splits and other functions an athlete would use to train for mountaineering or endurance events all worked flawlessly. Yet, for this review, we focused on the four primary information functions designed into the WS4.

In evaluating the WS4, the watch was tested against known measurements. Here are some of our observations of its functions:

COMPASS

The initial process of setting up the WS4 and calibrating the compass and weather functions took very little time, and for those of you accustomed to setting up digital instruments, the calibration and function set-up is almost intuitive.

After the compass was calibrated – it took two slow rotations of the watch – the compass calculates the declination angle or difference between magnetic north and true north giving you the directional heading and degrees of direction in relation to North. 

The WS4 was then compared to two different liquid-filled traditional compasses and proved to be just as accurate, with all three pointing to zero degrees North. Each one was placed far enough from large metal or electronic objects, and apart from each other, to eliminate any magnetic field that might have influenced  the result.

While there is no direction of travel arrow on the watch dashboard, the direction of travel is simply the top of the watch as you would read the watch positioned right-side up on your wrist. That’s obvious enough for us. Direction of travel will appear on the upper right display, and the degrees will appear in the lower left side of the bezel.

ALTIMETER

Our known elevation at the start of the test is 2,306 feet above sea level. During more than 10 days literally living with the WS4, the highest elevation point known was 7,885 feet as we traveled in the San Bernardino Mountains above Big Bear, California. Our intent was not to seek the very highest peak we could access, but to compare the altimeter reading of the WS4, within reason, of known elevations. The Timex Expedition WS4 proved quite accurate, offering a sense of assurance in the instrument.

Timex Expedition WS4 altimeter display.

In addition to a choice of metric or standard elevation readings, the altimeter function offers several sub-functions a climber or person training for a climb may find useful. In the altimeter mode, the dashboard display will scroll through your Peak reading (your highest elevation), Accumulated reading as the total altitude change in your journey, and the current elevation you’re standing at. An on-screen graph will visually show you the topographical up and down changes of your current hiking or climbing activity.

Furthermore, you can set an elevation alarm that will sound when you reach a pre-determined elevation. This alarm is useful to alert you when you’ve ascended to an altitude you don’t want to exceed for medical reasons such as altitudes beyond 7,600 meters or 25,000 feet) to prevent hypoxia, or acclimatization climbs in preparation for the scramble to higher camps. You can also use the altitude alarm to alert when you are at the ridge or landmark, if you know the final elevation at that point. The instrument will also give you feedback on your climbing pace and progress.

Elevation rating for the WS4 ranges from -399 feet (cave exploration) to 8,997 meters elevation or 29, 517 feet elevation. With Mt. Everest hovering above earth at 8848 meters elevation (29, 028 feet and almost nine inches), the Timex Expedition WS4 has the technology to for virtually any peak on this planet.

BAROMETER

When calibrating the barometer function of the WS4, it’s best to set it to local weather conditions. In our case we calibrated the altimeter from a known elevation; both work off the same pressure so you only have to calibrate one or the other. The sensor technology picks up the calculations from there. In the barometer mode, the dashboard displays high, low, current and corrected sea level barometric pressure in metric or U.S. measurements.  With the information the Timex Expedition WS4 delivers, you can learn to analyze weather conditions and make a reasonable forecast for coming climatic changes or assess the potential for incoming storms.

Timex WS4 barometer display.

 The following is how world-renowned mountaineer, Conrad Anker uses the WS4:

“Before I curl into my sleeping bag, I note the current altitude and barometric pressure,” he says . “In the few hours I sleep, if I see a change in the altitude or barometric pressure I can get an idea of the coming weather patterns. As it is an inverse relationship between altitude and barometric pressure, if I wake at the same or lower elevation I can be confident the atmospheric pressure has remained constant. If I rise to a higher altitude, I need to be aware as there is a chance of a low pressure moving in.”

THERMOMETER

Temperature readings very accurately matched outside temperature vs. mercury-filled analog, fixed, thermometers. This accuracy result occurred when the WS4 was off-wrist and stationed in the same location as the traditional thermometers. As the WS4 owner’s manual states, the watch will reflect body temperature when it is worn on the wrist, and heat from direct sunlight. A heat-shield between the watch casing and the temperature sensor may be a solution going forward.

However, we have no issues with deducting an average of 10º F from the temp reading on watch. It’s just an automatic mental calculation and you’re just taking a glance at the watch anyway. A lanyard is supplied with the watch to locate the WS4 on your person if you are truly in on a mountaineering mission. The watch body and sturdy wrist-strap connections are perfect for using the lanyard.

We view the WS4, as a technically accurate information device bundled in a robust package with the primary purpose of serving well in true high-elevation alpine applications. The WS4 also accurately reflected outside temperatures greater than 107º F and at temps lower than 32º (freezing) to about 15º F. A light coat of condensation did develop on the watch crystal at the 15º F reading (easily brushed off), but all functions worked fine. 

Here’s some input we received from the Timex product development team regarding the temperature rating of the WS4 on the low temperature:

The temp rating is for the WS4 watch, not the sensor. Therefore the watch will function accurately down to a watch temp of 15-degrees-F. Since watch temp and ambient (outside environment) are two different situations, and the WS4 is a wrist-mounted watch that is insulated by the body, the watch does not go beyond 15-degrees F…unless you are deceased. If, however, outside temperature is -30F and you take the WS4 off your wrist, the outside temperature will be accurately recorded in about a half-hour; or the time it takes for the cold to reach the internal components of the watch.

Overall Impressions:

As with any equipment you will rely on in your adventures, it is incumbent upon each person to train and become very familiar with the equipment. Like training with your crampons, ice-ladders, and oxygen systems, the Timex Expedition is no different a device. The more you use it, the better information you will extract from it. That said, the WS4 is relatively easy to get to know and operate. Beyond basic familiarity, individual time and experience will bring out the best in this instrument.

The Timex Expedition WS4 watch is without question an instrument that does what it’s designed to do. It’s light weight is also a positive attribute and the wide elastic band on the WS4 is comfortable and expandable to fit over heavy parka sleeves and insulation garments. A solid wrist-band clasp works well, yet would benefit from an opposing-direction locking mechanism to keep the instrument from inadvertently un-clasping.

By pressing the INDIGLO illumination button, you can view the time and dashboard information in low-light and total darkness. This function worked well. It would be great to see an illumination technology applied to the digital information so the wrist-born watch can be glanced at without using a second human hand to read the watch. I wear a wrist watch 24/7 and will look at the time in the middle of the night, half-asleep. My daily-wear watch is a heavy diver’s chronograph carved out of stainless-steel. The illuminated mechanical watch hands are visible in any kind of light.

At a price point of about $200.00 U.S., the Timex Expedition WS4 is a worthy choice for consideration when you still have to self-finance the rest of your gear. For more information, go to: www.timexexpedition.com

Timex Expedition WS4 watch’s specifications:

• Display: Widescreen, 38 mm x 25 mm
• Case dimensions: 50 mm x 40 mm — Case height: 15mm
• Temp range: Watch temp worn on wrist: 15-degrees F.
• Power source: Battery – CR2430
• Prime Functions: Chronograph, time/date, compass, altimeter, and barometer
• Sub-functions: Weather forecast, Chronometer (lap times and splits), Activity data review, Alarms for waking and preset elevation. Note: Alarm sound get’s your attention; not obnoxious.
• Case material: Composite with a stainless steel bezel
• Total weight: about .25 pound or 90 grams
• Water resistance: to 164-feet or 50 meters
• Watch Color Options: Black, orange, blue, white, and yellow – Strap colors coordinate with case.
• Watch Mount Options: Expandable fabric with Velcro and stainless steel hardware; Rubber wrist strap; Lanyard secured watch for securing WS4 on or near your person (away from direct sunlight or body heat) for most accurate data gathering. Some folks like to use a pocket-watch set-up to free their wrists from any encumbrances.
• Crystal: When matched against mineral crystal, the WS4 appears to also be mineral crystal – very scratch resistant.

Below are several other Timex action sport watches you might keep your eyes open to:

• Timex Ironman Sleek 150-Lap (with Tap-Screen Technology) – launch in Feb 2010
• Timex Ironman Race Trainer HRM (with downloadable workouts) – currently available
• Timex Expedition WS4 (with XL Elastic Strap) –  available in October 2009
• Timex Expedition WS4 Carabiner – available in February 2010

Editor’s note: As technology advances in any discipline, cost eventually declines. And with technology comes greater efficiencies. The Timex Expedition WS4 is constructed with composite materials, a stainless steel casing, and proven advanced technology in the sensors and digital functions. We don’t consider an affordable price to assess whether or not a product is useful or not. We test against stated features and functions of the product both objectively and subjectively. Subjective feedback is merely how the individual writer viewed a product in regards to how well the product functioned for the writer. This third-party evaluation does not eliminate (but intended to add to) the reader’s information for forming their own assessment of a product through research and evaluation in order to make a purchase decision.