Alfa class submarine, (Soviet) 1300m crush depth, 800m test depth.

Seawolf class submarine, (American) 750m crush depth, 500m test depth. For a long time ALL titanium climbing equipment was Russian. They had suberb climbing clubs, and formal programs for training climbers. I had the opportunity to spend some time with a world-class Russian climber who was also a MS in Physics and had been a missile launch officer during his stint in the military. He had been trained to climb by the government, and paid to do so. He said that part of the government support of their climbing clubs was the manufacture of titanium equipment. Indeed, he had some intriguing stuff, and a very innovative pack. Helluva guy, one of those people for whom a thirty-mile walk was simply a matter of time. I have had a Russian titanium ice axe for years. And since have acquired US made titanium cooking equipment. As I've given up any thoughts of technical climbing, I have no use for the more technical material. I'll say, though, that titanium is unsurpassed for strength and weight. My pot and pan/lid are so light it seems like cheating. I have a functional titanium alcohol & solid fuel stove which works like a charm to heat a freeze-dried meal, boil water or heat a tent (with alcohol as the fuel) and weighs 2.3 ounces without fuel. To think that 25 years ago when I first started backpacking I was dragging around aColeman Peak One. What a beast! Worthless. (I took it back to REI after a trip into cold weather.)

Arf