Well, I have been snow camping for years, just more in the last five years. Always looking over the hill for more info. This trip had Alameda Frank along, always neat to pick his brain on gear, he hangs out on so many forums and meets lots of people. Of course he has the time to get out more also. I ask him stuff and some of his responses are, you don't need that, you have enough experience to use what you have. A great compliment from him.