I acquired my Mountain Light during the spring of 98’. I had spent the previous summer making $43 a week at a lodge south of Yellowstone, but it came with a cabin on the Snake River and three squares a day. My biggest expense were cigarettes at an appalling two dollars a pack. I didn’t have a vehicle and there was one pay phone in the employee tavern. The occasional movie at the Teton Theater in Jackson was four dollars and a beer at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar was a buck and a half. As cheap as life was for an 18-year-old that summer, I couldn’t afford a coveted Mountain Light.
When I was in Jackson I’d stroll through Teton Mountaineering and Jack Dennis with my fingers crossed I’d discover one on sale; I quickly learned I had a better chance of completing the Grand Traverse blindfolded on a pogo stick with a Camelback of whiskey. Every college kid and outdoorsman wanted one and The North Face knew it. They created an indestructible, unusually functional, and handsome jacket. When I got back to Atlanta I ponied up and bought the exact one I wanted – in yellow. It cost me an arm and a leg, but two decades later it’s the envy of every guy who didn’t spring for one.
I’ve abused mine in Vail ice climbing, sailing the Bimini’s, fly fishing Montana’s backwaters, and I managed to get charged by a black bear while hiking switchbacks to climb the Middle Teton. We’ve been to parties in Tuscaloosa, strip clubs in Knoxville, and every bar in Athens. We spent my bachelor party together in Charleston, got in trouble in the French Quarter, and survived a frantic drive to Northside the night Annabelle was born.
As a young man I got caught up in collecting jackets. My closets were packed with the usual suspects: Patagonia Snap-T’s, a North Face Denali I never wore, and sprinkled in were some gems, like my orange Patagonia Ice Nine. All legit in their own right, but the Mountain Light is the crown jewel.
The Gore-Tex still keeps the rain out, I’ve never had a zipper snag, all the elastic cords are tight, and the Velcro is as strong as the day I bought it. The fit is ideal over a heavy fleece while skiing or a suit when it’s raining in San Francisco. I’ve had offers from several guys over the years, but he’s not for sale. We’ve been through a lot together and our secrets are safe with one another. Sure, he’s not a young buck, but my guess is my son will befriend him shortly and they’ll go on adventures of their own.
Contributor Brad Evans is a good buddy, a UGA grad, and an idea guy. We’re luck to have his thoughts here at RCS…more to come.
P L E A S E S U P P O R T O U R P A R T N E R S :
I have a similar love for the Mountain Hardwear Exposure II I bought in 2003. 16 years later it’s a little rough, but it’s still the first thing I grab when I’m running out the door on a cold misty weekend morning.
Mountain Hardware was/is bad ass. I haven’t owned one of their jackets, but always wanted one.
good write up. like this type of post.
Thank you.
“better chance of completing the Grand Traverse blindfolded on a pogo stick with a Camelback of whiskey”
Loved this line, and the whole column. Always cool to hear about those pieces of gear that become so much more
Nice bit of writing here. I have a similar relationship with a Patagonia Triolet from 1996. Mine hasn’t held up as well and is about to go to Patagonia to see what they can do. Would not have guessed TNF would hold up better than my Patagonia.
Had the blue version of this jacket and it was a prize possession for years. However, I was always mad I didn’t have the balls at the time to buy the yellow one. Well done!
Yellow was a bit aggressive, but I’m glad I did it;
Excellent contribution…well written and pithy. Keep Brad Evans as a weekly poster please!
Great Post. Had two Mountain Lights. Always wanted the Patagonia Ice Nine. Not sure I needed such technical outerwear for walking across campus or hanging out in parking lots before WSP shows…..