Re: [pct-l] down or synthetic bags?

["James R. Bruton" <jbruton@northlink.com>]

>
>Let me clarify, the reasons gear gets wet has less to do with the shelter
>than how you use it. 


How true. For example, I have used a gore-tex bivy sack made by Outdoor
Research successfully on the AT and the PCT. I'm considering using it on
part of my upcoming thru hike.

I used it in combination with a 40-deg. down bag on the AT in New England,
speaking of down vs. synthetic bags. I found that getting into the bivy
once in a pouring rain once was OK, but the second night it got the bag too
wet for comfort. In retrospect, I wouldn't use that combination on the AT
again.

But I may use it on the southern half of the PCT, where rain may not be so
frequent. Then I'll switch to my Walrus Microswift one-person tent, 3 lbs. 

A bivy has one important advantage I like besides less weight -- it
requires no pitching. Wherever you are, just lay it on the ground and get
in. Also its mosquito netting is often welcome.

Disadvantages: Claustrophobic, can get condensation on the inside, and not
great if it's already pouring rain. I got really tired of it after a few
weeks. But I think it may make a good way to save a pound on the start of
the trip. 
Jim Bruton
http://www1.50megs.com/jbruton
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Cc:            pct-l@edina.hack.net
From:          Owen Kittredge <owenk@quiknet.com>
Date:          Mon, 07 Feb 2000 08:12:03 -0800
Subject:       Re: [pct-l] Sleeping Bags
Content-type:  text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have 2 North Face SnowShoe bags filled with Polar Guard HV that replaced 2
North Face Blue Kazoos that had failed after 4 years of very light use and they
were stored correctly.  The Snow Shoe bags are 8 years old medium use and have
worked when I was on the coast of California at Point Reyes when a storm came
in.  I was sleeping in water. When I got home I drained over 3 cups of water out
of one bag.  I grew up with US Army surplus down bags because that was the best
that you could get.  Now we have developed something better.  The bottom line is
do you want to live or die of hypothermia when that freak late winter storm hits
and your tarp tent just don't do  the job.

Owen K


>  I
> feel a 20 degree fiber bag loses 5 degrees of warmth each year. In five years
> it's just good to 40 degrees. A down bag might only lose 5 degrees of warmth
> in five years.
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

* From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

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