Do these down pants make me look gay?

Here is an interesting question: When you're struggling to reach the top of a massive mountain - in this case, Denali - does it really matter what you look like?

This was the dilemma Steve* was facing Saturday after he got back from REI's annual winter sale with a whole Subaru full of loot, including a used woman's sleeping bag that he planned to turn into pants. (In case I haven't mentioned, Steve often makes his own outdoor gear and has so far produced two sleeping bags, two tents, six or seven pairs of outdoor pants, port-a-ledges and a couple of skirts and capris for me, but that's not outdoor gear and only took him about five seconds in comparison).

The used down bag is in great condition and exactly what Steve is looking for, except that it's light blue, the color most associated with newborn babies and trendy girls. To make matters worse, the jacket he plans to wear is fire engine red.

Obviously, on the streets of Seattle, this would be a serious fashion faux pas. But should it make a difference on Denali? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of wearing the pants.

Pros:

• Steve would be warm and thus, happy.
• Steve would be able to sew his own pants, saving about $200 (the used sleeping bag was only $55) if he were to buy them new.
  
• Steve would be able to sew his own pants, which would make him proud and thus, happy.

Cons:

• Steve's Denali pictures would be marred by this fashion misstep; his top half will look appropriately hardcore while his bottom half will look like a little girl.
• Steve will risk the jokes and stares of disdain from his climbing partner, Erin, who will surely let him have it - not to mention any other climbers he happens to meet on the way
• Steve will most definitely be made fun of by me, because how could I possibly resist an opportunity like that?

To wear or not to wear?

*In a previous blog, an inch was erroneously added to Steve's height. He's really only 6'6. The Climber's Wife regrets this error. Mostly because she's embarrassed not to know this after almost 10 years.