[pct-l] Failed Bag/Tent Combination

[edmond at mydogmeg.net (Edmond Meinfelder)]

A lot of the through hikers in '02 concerned about Washington. I got a ride 
to the Portland REI from Cascade Locks and ran into a half dozen other 
through hikers all buying new, warmer and waterproof gear. Most everyone 
was prepared for rain and cold already and, I bet if we all knew then what 
we know now, much money would have been saved. It wasn't that bad, but 
every year can be different.

The later in the season you are in Washington, the more likely you are to 
have rain. I spent the month of September in Washington. I suppose people 
who finished before me, in August, likely had more sunny weather in 
Washington than I. It rained and things got damp, but there would always be 
some sun to air out my bag during lunch or a prolonged break. Even when it 
snowed my last day on September 29, I was fine using an REI 20F 750-fill 
down sleeping bag and a Go-lite tarp.

FYI: Typically, I sleep cold. However, after gaining 15 pounds of weight 
(mostly fat), I was sleeping much warmer by Washington. In other words, you 
mileage (warmth) may vary.

Tangent


At 09:15 AM 1/5/2004 -0800, Jim Keener wrote:
>This was okay for one night. But I'm concerned about Washington. The idea of
>putting that bag away wet and getting back into it without its being dried
>has me very concerned. I'm looking for ideas.
>
>I still like the Tarptent a lot and plan to carry the Helium on the JMT part
>of the trail, but as I wrote, I am concerned about Washington.