[pct-l] Insulation layer

[Kevin Cook]

This idea comes up occasionally on a couple DIY gear forums I visit. It can
work. People have modified their fly and added a hood.

The biggest downfall is, by wearing your fly as a poncho, you risk putting
holes in your fly. Leaky raingear will just make you a little wetter while
hiking, but if you then get to camp and have a leaky shelter, you could be
in trouble.

I agree with others, you would be better served with a light weight item
dedicated to the task of keeping you dry while hiking.

On Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 9:47 AM, Melanie Clarke <melaniekclarke at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear Mango,
>
> Thanks, I am nervous about leaving my down jacket behind but I have this
> exact same experience, I just don't use it or seem to need it.  I only plan
> to do the Southern CA section to Hwy 58 anyway.  I get really heated when I
> hike.  I hike in just a fleece jacket down to 30 degrees, sometimes shorts
> even.  Then I have a nice bag and tent when I stop to sleep.
>
> How much does it rain in Southern California, Diane or anyone???  I lived
> in
> So. Cal for about 6-7 years and I never remember it raining past March.  In
> my ultra-lite dreams I'm thinking that I'm even going to leave the rain
> gear
> behind and wrap myself in my tent fly if it does start to rain.  (I've gone
> over the tarp vs. tent in my head and the tent still wins out).  I like to
> be in a tent with a fly when it rains, but that's just me and I can double
> the fly as a rain poncho.
>
> Is this advisable?  I would like to hear both sides of this argument.
>
> Melanie
>
> On Fri, Feb 11, 2011 at 7:14 AM, Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net
> >wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Axel,
> >
> > Here's another option - carry additional base layers and a windshirt
> > instead of a down jacket, which would have very limited use.  Last year I
> > carried a set of silks, a smartwool top and Cap 2 bottoms, my standard
> > long-sleeve hiking shirt and convertible hiking pants, a windshirt, and
> > silnylon rain pants and parka.
> >
> >
> >
> > At KM I sent myself a heavy snow jacket with heavy fleece liner and
> hardly
> > used it.  I did put on the liner once, but I could have gotten by okay
> > without it.
> >
> >
> >
> > When you're hiking you rarely need anything besides the hiking shirt and
> > pants - maybe silks and rain gear.  You can start out in the windshirt,
> but
> > you'll warm up within 30 minutes and take it off.  When you stop, put the
> > windshirt back on.  In camp, put everything on until you're finished
> setting
> > up, eating, cleaning up, etc.  Then get in the bag.
> >
> >
> >
> > With really warm outer wear, you'd be carrying extra weight for use only
> > for short duration at the very beginning and end of the day.
> >
> >
> > Mango
> >
> >
> > > > I was wondering if i could have some recommendations as to what kind
> of
> > > > > insulating jacket to use (weight/materials). I've heard a lot about
> > > down,
> > > > > even though it becomes relatively useless when wet. Any opinions
> are
> > > > > appreciated, but to narrow things down, I'm trying to go for the
> most
> > > > > reasonable price possible.
> > > > > Thanks and happy trails!
> > > > > -Axel
> > >
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