[pct-l] two questions

[Paul.C.Griffith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Griffith, Paul C)]

I've made a couple of quilts using Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics (www.owfinc.c=
om is the correct address) "polyester continuous fiber".  Followed the inst=
ructions in Jardine's Beyond Backpacking and it was a fun, easy project.  B=
ut it will still cost you about $75 for a single, or $100-125 for a double =
quilt in materials.  I just finished a down Jardine quilt.  www.thru-hiker.=
com sells down for $25 for 3oz.  $75 would do my quilt, versus about $40 fo=
r the synthetic fill - so down is not that much more expensive - it is the =
extra trouble of sewing all those baffles and stuffing the down.  Boy, is i=
t light and warm, tho.  Have a look at www.westernmountaineering.com at the=
 Aspen bag - $265, 25 degree rating, weights just over 2 pounds - and unzip=
s to a flat two-person quilt.  The $55, 20oz "summer coupler" bottom could =
be remade using lightweight nylon - just a thought.

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Lehman [mailto:e_lehman@theory.lcs.mit.edu]
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 8:01 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] two questions



I have two questions that are probably pretty standard.

1=2E  I'll be going N -> S on the JMT starting July 6.  If this remains an
    average-ish snow year, is an ice axe essential?  A good idea?  Not
    worth the weight?

2=2E  My wife and I would like to make a quilt.  Down seems to be
    very expensive and difficult to work with.  Are there places that
    sell Polarguard 3D or some comparable synthetic insulation in
    suitably small quantities?  (I guess I'm hoping they are cheaper
    and easier to handle...)

/Eric


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