Gear Review: Arc'teryx Atom SL Hoody

The Atom SL in fetching Genepi Green

Released in early 2016, the Atom SL Hoody is the lightest and least-insulating of the legendary Atom range that includes the LT, AR and SV flavours. It is designed as a summer insulating layer because we all know mountain weather can be unpredictable. But summer insulation? That was a new one for me. Having now owned this for nearly a year, it's clear that it is so much more and shouldn't be limited to just summer use.

It really comes into its own across the spring, summer and autumn seasons. It's a supremely versatile jacket thanks to the combination of fabrics used throughout. Firstly, being an insulated jacket, there is a thin layer of Coreloft (Arc'teryx's own take on Primaloft), a synthetic insulation layer that surrounds the torso. The arms and hood are not insulated, allowing for better temperature regulation while the side panels are made from thin, super stretchy fleece called Torrent. The main fabric of the jacket is a tightly weaved nylon shell which provides great protection from the wind while also being breathable. In essence, it could be thought of as an insulated wind shell.

Insulation is held in place by a sewn grid

The fit is incredible, I would say it's one of the best fitting jackets I own. For me, it's the perfect length and the perfect cut in the body and arms and is one of the main reasons why I love it so much.

Let's take a closer look:

The Atom SL

Features: 
A full rundown of the features of the Atom SL:

• Coreloft Compact insulation 
• Torrent stretch fleece side panels 
• Low profile Stormhood 
• 'No Slip Zip'
• Shaped cuffs
• Adjustable hem drawcord 
• Two zipped hand pockets

The Hood 
The hood is a simple affair made from the wind-resistant outer fabric and is designed to fit underneath a helmet (if you climb or ski). Good enough to keep a cold breeze at bay but certainly far from waterproof. Adjustments are provided by an excellent drawcord that runs around the base of the skull and the sides of the face, allowing you to pull the whole hood tightly around your head. There is also a modest visor to help keep any wind or rain out of your eyes.

The simple hood 

Details
There are numerous details that make this jacket a true Arc'teryx piece. Here are a few of them. As I mentioned, stretchy fleece panels run up either side of the jacket and down each arm to the cuffs. These help to better regulate temperature as they are more breathable than the main face fabric but they also provide a certain amount of warmth when it cools down. They are super soft and extremely comfortable.

The side panel that runs the length of the body and arm

Hand pockets sit clear of backpack straps and provide enough room for hands but not a lot else.

Aside from these obvious details, a few minor Arc'teryx flourishes are also thrown into the mix.

Firstly is the 'No Slip Zip', a clever feature that prevents the zip from opening on its own with irregularly shaped teeth in the top portion of the zip to prevent it from slipping, though this has never been a problem for me.

The shaping of the cuff is also really neat with an extended piece of fabric sitting across the back of the hand. This small detail is one of the things I really like.

The neat cuffs

In Action 
This jacket has been on numerous Lakeland trips over the last few months from early Spring, through summer and into autumn. It starred in the ascent of my final Wainwright which, despite being the middle of summer, took place under the shadow of a chilly wind. It really came into its own during a recent trip to Yosemite where valley temperatures could hit 35 degrees but summits on the valley rim were much cooler.

The Atom SL at Glacier Point

While I have found this jacket to be really useful, some will be put off by its high price and many would think it's not worth the money. That said, if you are happy to fork out the necessary cash, or can find it reduced, then it could well be the jacket you never knew you needed.

A Grasmoor Wild Camp

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Route: Crag Houses, Grassgarth Coppice, Whiteless Breast, Whiteless Pike, Saddle Gate, Whiteless Edge, Thirdgill Head Man, Wandope (Camp), Wandope Moss, Grasmoor, Wandope Moss, Whiteless Edge, Whiteless Pike, Whiteless Breast, Buttermere

Date: 02/04/2016
From: Buttermere

Parking: Parking along the foot of Newlands Pass
Start Point: Buttermere
Region: North Western Fells

Route length: 8.2 miles (13.1 km)
Time taken: 04:04
Camp: Thirdgill Head Man
Average speed: 1.68 mph
Ascent: 910m
Descent: 917m

Wainwrights on this walk:
Whiteless Pike (660m), Wandope (772m), Grasmoor (852m)

Additional summits: Thirdgill Head Man (734m)

Other points of interest: Rannerdale

It was only a matter of time before I slung all of my camping gear into a pack and set off to camp up in the mountains somewhere - a popular pastime for many and one that I had yet to try. It was actually a friend who first proposed the idea and I doubt I would have gone on my own otherwise. And so it was we had to odd pleasure of waiting in the pub until 5pm before even considering our climb.

Grasmoor had been identified as our fell of choice for no particular reason other than it is one of those large, grass clad fells that provide ample opportunity to pitch a tent. Now, I must point out, this being a first attempt I haven't even begun to whittle down the weight of my gear but the large pack I used coped with no problem. So, for all you weight-watchers, here's what went in the pack:

Pack - Deuter Guide 55+10 - 2.6kg
Tent - Wild Country Coshee 3 - 2.6kg
Sleeping Bag - ME Titan 550 - 1.2kg
Sleeping Mat - Alpkit Numo - 0.4kg
Pillow - Thermarest Compressible - 0.2kg
Stove - MSR Reactor 1.0l - 0.4kg
Gas - MSR IsoPro - 0.1g
Food - ~0.3kg
Clothes - ~1.2kg
Torch - BD ReVolt - 0.1kg
Water - 3l (2l in Platypus BigZip and 1l in collapsible bottle) - 3.5kg
Camera - Canon SX700 - 0.3kg
Extras (lighter, penknife, spoon, compass etc.) - ~1kg

I'm sure there are other things I've forgotten but the total weight was probably around 12 or 13kg - not exactly lightweight but everything required for a comfortable night on the fells and, more importantly, it all fitted in the pack that I already owned. Not owning a water filter meant carrying all the water that I needed for the trip, some for the hike up and a litre dedicated for food and hot drinks.

The weather was appalling when we arrived in Buttermere in the afternoon but, not to worry, it was forecast to clear as the afternoon and evening progressed. It wasn't until it had reached around 5.30pm that we decided we could no longer wait for the rain to clear and we moved the cars to the row of free spaces close to the Church of St James - the small picturesque church constructed in 1840.

Clouds and rain in Buttermere

Loaded up with the pack for the first time was a bit of a shock to the system, so much so that my first action was to promptly slip on a wet rock and fall on my arse less than 10m from the car. Not the most auspicious start but luckily not a sign of things to come.

We had chosen one of the steeper routes up to Grasmoor, following the path from Buttermere up Grassgarth Coppice to Whiteless Breast and on to Whiteless Pike. Slowly and steadily we plodded up the first of the steep sections at the head of the small Rannerdale Valley, a fine path with a great view along the Rannerdale Knotts ridge to Crummock Water.

Robinson over Mill Beck

Looking towards the Newlands Pass

Rannerdale Knotts

Rannerdale as the weather begins to clear

Whiteless Pike marks the first objective

The further we climbed the more familiar the weight of the pack became and, with all the straps and adjusters working hard, the pack almost seemed to be lighter as we continued on. From the head of Rannerdale, a largely flat section leads to the footings of Whiteless Pike, a Wainwright I had visited for the first time a few months earlier on the finest of Autumn days. You can read about that one here.

The climb up towards Whiteless Pike

The last 150m up to the summit is quite a challenge thanks to its steepness - it's a gift that keeps on giving with a number of false summits along the way. Fortunately, much of it has pitched steps which always make a steep climb that much easier and we reached the summit in the early evening. As we had delayed our start, camping on Grasmoor was looking unlikely unless we were to pitch tents in the dark, which neither of us really wanted to do. The joy of carrying your overnight gear is that you can camp wherever you please so we decided to make new arrangements once we'd reached the top of Whiteless Edge.

A rare view of Sail Beck and Ard Crags

Looking back down to Robinson and High Snockrigg

Clouds begin to clear High Stile and Red Pike

Lad Hows sweeps up to Grasmoor

Looking along Whiteless Edge

The summit of Whiteless Pike

Whiteless Edge is a superb ridge that joins Whiteless Pike to the high land at the head of Coledale. To the west is the immense bulk of Grasmoor while the crags at Saddle Gate, to the east fall, sharply down into the depths of Third Gill below. We climbed Whiteless Edge to reach the grassy plains behind Wandope and Crag Hill; it was here that we decided to down tools and set up camp with a fine view across to the Scafells.

Whiteless Pike from Saddle Gate

Mellbreak and Crummock water

Distant Scafells in the early evening

After ejecting everything from the pack and setting up the tents it had become dark leaving us to dine in the blackness of the night. A moonless night meant that little in the way of a view was on offer but didn't stop a quick night-time recce of Wandope which stands only a few metres away. Nothing to be seen there either. We turned in and, for me at least, settled into my first night out on the fells.

Our camping spot on Thirdgill Head Man

The view across to the Scafells

Time for bed...

I'd like to say I slept soundly through the night but that was, unfortunately, not the case. While it normally takes me longer than usual to drift off while camping, a strong wind had picked up, bending and flapping the tent for a number of hours. I was convinced that one of the guy-lines had come out but, after an encouraging check, everything was in order.

Around 1am, the wind eventually died down and I awoke early to a calm, quiet morning. After a hot drink and some quick breakfast, we were packed and ready for some more exploration - finally making our way up to the summit of Grasmoor to claim it as ours for the day, beating an early morning fell runner to the prize of first atop the mountain (probably).

The morning view

The tents on our fine pitch

Thirdgill Head Man

Layers of fells

The long walk to Grasmoor

Whiteless Edge and Buttermere beyond

Pillar makes an appearance

Grasmoor's summit

With a busy afternoon planned at home, we had little time to remain in the Lake District and retraced our steps back to where we had camped at Thirdgill Head Man, inspecting our site for any evidence of our stay. Satisfied that we had indeed left no trace, we descended Whiteless Edge for another visit to Whiteless Pike. The weather today was much cheerier than the evening before and it was a shame to be ending our adventure just as the day was getting started.

Clouds swirl around Grisedale Pike

The sun eventually makes an appearance

Looking across Crummock Water

Grasmoor

Thirdgill Head Man and the crags of Third Gill

Looking to Buttermere

A long, steep descent from Whiteless Pike was made a bit awkward by the slightly more cumbersome large pack but I managed not to repeat the theatrics of the day before. With the morning drawing on we passed the first few groups of walkers head up for the day, wishing them well as we passed. We made it down safely and returned to the cars which were, thankfully, exactly where we left them with all the windows intact - always a relief.

The Church of St James

I thoroughly enjoyed my first wild camp up in the fells, there's a certain excitement and satisfaction about being out and about when most have returned to the comforts of pubs and B&Bs. Luckily, I have not been put off by a windy night on the fells and look forward to the next time I can bury the tent in a pack and get back out into the wilds.