[pct-l] Failed Bag/Tent Combination

[kdpo at pacbell.net (Ken Powers)]

This sounds like our journal entries on the AT this year.

This weekends temperatures and moisture levels were abnormal in the SF Bay
Area. The moisture levels were much like what we experienced on the AT this
year. It was a year of heavy rain and the ground was always soaked. The AT
has a near constant hardwood forest canopy. The ground never seems to dry
out. The good news is that it makes for abundant flowers and mushrooms.

On the AT we carried a small lightweight tent that Bibler just put on the
market. We experienced condensation in the tent most nights. Our bags are
Western Mountaineering Apache with dry loft. We stayed dry in them almost
every night. When we packed our bags in the mornings, many times they felt
damp. We tried to dry everything out during the day. This was difficult on
the AT because of the constant forest. On the PCT you will be able to find
an open spot. Ideally it will be in bright sunlight at lunch time. It
doesn't take long for everything to dry. In northern Yosemite we had rain
every day, yet we were always able to dry out during the day in  preparation
for the next wet night.

Ken
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Keener" <jkeener@pct04.com>
To: "Pacific Crest Trail" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 9:15 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Failed Bag/Tent Combination


> Greetings:
>
> I camped at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California this
> weekend at a place called Glen Camp. Don't know the temperature, but there
> was frost on the ground and my Tarptent, and puddles had frozen over.
There
> was fog in the air and the ground was super-saturated due to recent
deluges
> in the area.
>
> I was very cold when I got in the bag (Marmot Helium - rated to 15F) and
> never did warm up well. Lots of condensation - on the tent and the bag.
The
> bag got wet from the condensation. By 4 a.m., I was shivering. Got up, ate
> and hiked.
>
> 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.
>
> Peace,
> Jim
>
> http://pct04.com
>
>
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