Gear Review: Marmot Women's Jena Jacket

Jane here with Colorado Mountain School, checking in about another high-performing product from  Marmot!

Known for their incredibily lightweight primo down insulation, Marmot does not disapoint with the Women’s Jena Down Jacket. Marmot uses only the highest quality goose down and it shows in their product line. Updated this year, the Jena is lightweight, super warm, and has a women’s specific fit that looks and feels great. This jacket goes from the crag, to the mountains, and then out on the town, with ease.

The Jena keeping me warm before bivying in RMNP.

I throw the Jena in my pack when I’m headed to the mountains because it is light, warm, and takes up very little space in my pack.  I love the Jena for rock climbing because it zips into its own pocket that has a loop attached to it. This allows me to clip the Jena to my harness or toss it in my climbing pack and be on my way. Then at chilly belay stations I can unpack the Jena and stay toasty warm. During the winter months I use the Jena as a mid-layer or lightweight outerwear for warm sunny days. The durable water repellent finish sheds snow and keeps me dry.

Below Spearhead in Glacier Gorge, RMNP.

Bottom line, I take this jacket with me no matter what time of the year and it rocks. I would suggest this product to anyone looking for a multi-functional, multi-seasonal, lightweight, and super warm layer. Another plus? It looks awesome too.

Jane Anderson

CMS Sales & Marketing
Expedition Manager

1.800.836.4008

Guide Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

Russell Hunter, full-time guide with the Colorado Mountain School, here to share with you my opinion on the Black Diamond Spot headlamp. Recently I have been using the Spot headlamp and it has quickly become one of my new favorite pieces of equipment. 

When guiding in the mountains, an alpine start is often required to maximize the potential for good weather.  Getting up and off a route before afternoon storms roll in is essential to climbing in the mountains. The Spot is the perfect headamp for these early morning starts: it is small, light, and incredibly bright! On early morning approaches, the Spot illuminates a good distance in front of me so I can walk safely and route find without issue. The Spot takes up very little room, and is incredibly light, so when the sun comes up, I throw it in my pack and forget about it.

The latest version of the Spot has a lock mode when it is in the “off” position. This means the lamp never accidently turns on in my pack and drains the batteries. Another nice feature is the battery power indicater that tells me how much battery life I have left. The bright red color of my new Spot, makes it easy to find in my pack or in a pile of gear. Black Diamond includes three new AAA batteries with the Spot, so you can use it right out of the box! Thanks again Black Diamond for making a simple and functional piece of gear that I know I can rely on in the mountains. I’ll continue to use the Spot headlamp on all my mountain adventures!

Hope to see you out in the mountains this summer!

Russell Hunter

CMS Mountain Guide

1.800.836.4008

Circuit Training at the BRC

BRC trainers have developed a training circuit incorporating Tru Blue auotobelays.  Check out this video on how to better train for your climbing objectives.