[pct-l] Umbrellas

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

I wouldn't nix the idea of an umbrella - just the holders. It was great in
the Oregon/Washington section in rain where that was normally light without
much wind. It allowed me to hike without the hood over my head. Much cooler
that way. Sure, I wore a rain suit too, but no need to zip it up. In the
Sierras, it was not needed. In the desert, it did help - but since I didn't
use Mylar, it worked only marginally. I would use one again, but not if I
had 2 hiking poles.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Galli" <navigatoro3@yahoo.com>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, December 26, 2003 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Umbrella Holders


> For the most part, hikers using two poles didn't use an umbrella.  There
were a few people who tried them at first, but nothing really worked for
keeping them on the packs.  Puck tried the toilet paper roll holder for
about three days, and then it imploded on him.  He sent the umbrella back
after awhile.  Only about 8 people that I knew of kept the umbrellas past
the desert section, and not many had umbrellas to start with.
>
> I really like the idea of carrying your shade with you, but in use, the
umbrella didn't seem to hold up to thru-hiker usage (especially coated in
mylar - too many branches to tear it on).  Also, don't expect it to really
keep the rain off either.  A couple people from this summer tried using
umbrellas instead of rain gear, and became hypothermic (or close to it)
after the first all day rain storm in the southern california section.
Personally, carrying two hiking poles seems like a much better option.
>
> However, I was told a really cool idea by a past Oregon/Washington section
hiker that makes me want to reconsider the whole umbrella thing.  His son
had fashioned a couple of mosquito net sacks that fit over their umbrellas,
and went down to waist level, with a couple of velcro slits in the side for
arms.  That way they could walk through the mosquito clouds in peace, and
when they stopped, they could prop up their umbrellas over their heads, and
eat completely enclosed in bug netting.  He also warned not to use no-see-um
netting, which is kinda hard to see out of.  I was almost to the point of
carrying an umbrella, and hooking one of these contraptions up, when the
bugs started dying off around Dunsmuir.  I may just rig up a similar deal,
with no umbrella, for my external frame pack.
>
> Good luck with the umbrella, it sounds like a great idea if you can get it
to work for you.
>
> -Navigator
>
> Marshall Karon <m.karon@comcast.net> wrote:
> The thought of an umbrella holder seems really nice and I really wanted
one
> on my through hike. But, after dealing with strong and variable winds in
the
> Southern section, I really doubt the practically of it. Also, depending on
> the time of day and the trail direction, the sun always seemed to be in a
> different position.
>
> How did those with 2 trekking poles manage?
>
> Marshall Karon
> Portland, OR
> m.karon@comcast.net
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> To:
>
> Sent: Friday, December 26, 2003 10:23 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Umbrella Holders
>
>
> > I need some advise on how to hold an umbrella on a no frame pack (GoLite
> > Breeze). I use two hiking poles, so my hands are busy.
> >
> > The only thing I can think of is to sew some nylon loops inside my pack
to
> > slip a tube into. Then I can easily slip the umbrella shaft into the
tube
> and
> > secure it with mini bungie cords (put holes in the tube to secure the
> bungie
> > cord hooks to the umbrella frame). The tube would be secured to the pack
> by a
> > mini bungie cord to one of the loops. The idea is to keep the
> tube/umbrella
> > from blowing up out of the pack during a gust of wind. I had that almost
> happen
> > several years ago coming south off of Forester Pass.
> >
> > The tube/umbrella would now be secured up/down and sideways by the this
> > system. It should be relative simple and light. I read on this list
> about using
> > PVC pipe for the tube, but it on the heavy side. There must something
> else out
> > there lighter.
> >
> > Thanks for the help. Switchback
> >
> >
> >
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