Climbing...Which glass to take?...

[pilot1962]

Hello to all!
Great forum, a LOT to learn and a LOT of help here, thanks for all the help to make a right choice in lens buying selection.
I'm leaving Miami in a two weeks to climb Rainier, and taking 20D with me stripped off BG to a bare minimum (weight considerations), not taking tripod, flash or TC-1.4 for the same reason...
Here's the question: I need to decide which glass to take...
24-70F2.8 or 70-200F2.8 both has a MCR B+W UV and I have one polarizer to share...
I do realize that I'll have a big chance to shoot wide landscapes, but if I'll need some magnification 24-70 is pretty limited...
I wish I could carry both lenses, but my pack's weight before photo stuff is over 65...
Anyone had to make similar decision in a past?
Thank you very much for your help in advance.

[85lesabre]

If i had to chose i would take the 24-70 2.8. It seems like you will be doing more landscape/candid shots, 24-70 is the lens to take....unless you can take both!!!

[pilot1962]

Thanks lesabre, 24-70 is my number one candidate, but thinking of possible alpine meadow macros with 70-200 and nice blur it provide makes me think again...
I'm a big fan of "John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide" where 70-200 is an example of a good choice landscape lens...

[superdiver]

I love my 70-200, but would get tired of hauling its butt (and yes, it is big enough to actually have a butt) around the mountain.

The smaller one should have all the versitility you need...

[flyb0y]

Thats a hard decision but if I had to choose I would take the 24-70 for the wider angle and less weight. Personally I would figure out a way to take both just in case I needed the 70-200 for an awsome shot.

[dgcorner]

the 24-70 would be a good all-arounder. but, as you say, if you are a fan of John Shaw, then take the 70-200. At the end of the day, you will need to make the most with what you have... that is unless you find a way to drag along an extra lens. ;-)

[DwightMcCann]

24-70, hands down!

[Spearin]

24-70, hands down!
Yep. You'll probably find yourself using wide as much as possible. I climbed a mountain last summer (in the Canadian Rockies), and only had a point and shoot, but was grateful because of its wide-angle capabilities.

[pilot1962]

Thanks to all, I guess it's settles, 24-70 it is...
I'll post some shots upon returning from the trip.