[pct-l] Re: Dress Me Up.... - Shelters

[AlohaAnn at adelphia.net (Aloha! Ann)]

Aloha All!

I'm so confused!  Well, not really.  I talked to Ron at Six Moon Design today and he was a wealth of info. I've heard from numerous other guys and gals who are also have an abundance of info to share.  And now I hear from Mags!  Geeezzzz.... you guys are great!  I just wish you all used the same shelter system!  But then again, it would certainly take the fun out of playing with all the other stuff!  

Mags:  Thanks for the insight on the tarp pitching site.  I'm headed to check it out now.  But while I do, which tarp would you actually recommend?  I under the 8x10 with the grommets but.... I don't like spending money possibly needlessly.  But then again, arent' we all "gadgeteers"?  If there's a better suggestion out there please don't hesitate to say so.  Again, it's not that money isn't an issue, it's that I'm determined to walk the PCT in its entirety.  Thanks also for the ground cloth breakdown.  I'ved been a tyvek gal but I'll certainly take a gander at the Spinmaker.  Two things I noticed on your picture -- 1) it's pitched really really really low and, 2) you shave while you're on the trail!  Thanks again for all.

Mountain Goat:  "...Used to..."  "... condition yourself to.."  Or maybe... what's your willing to suffer through too cut the weight.  If it's even suffering at all.  I'm learning here, and willing to try, but afterall the hardships "out there" do we not deserve a little extra comfort?  I'm playing devil's advocate here.  Someone said this to me recently.  As for the 90* today and snow tomorrow, it really did happen.  Actually it had been 88* but I still woke up to snow the next morning.  Mind you it didn't last long but that's beside the point!  Thanks for you input.

Eric:  Now that you put it that way... you do have an excellent point -- "a mummy bag on a sliver of insulatin gfoam in the middle of nowhere..."  I am definitely going to have to relook at my way of looking at things!  Passing out drunk as a practice for long distance hiking.... hummm... I think we could sell it!  Thanks.

Saskia:  Ahhhh... finally... a nudist at heart!  Nogt that I am of course.  I do believe I could sleep somewhat comfortably in my Flight Jacket.  It is so warm and comfy!  Even if I do look like the Michelin Woman.  I also hike warmly.  Hated starting, stopping, starting, stopping, just to change clothing.  I'm one of those that normally takes a deep breath, gets down to the basic hiking clothes and goes. However, I often wore long johns in camp.  Seldom slept in them due to the bag and bag liner but wore them often in camp.  The intended point with the nighttime set of long johns is that if they are probably lighter than the liner and could actually be used as an additional pair if necessary. And stay clean longer!  No?  Thanks for taking the time to respond. 

Paige:  Another claustrophobic.  Unpleasant feeling, isn't it.  However, I'm becoming one of you folks -- a lighweight thinker.  Scary... but hopefully not too cool!

Jim:  How did you ever move with all those things on!  I'm truly not knocking the clothing if it sounds it.  I remember well, being in the Smokey's wearing everything I had and still freezing.  It was then that someone told me about taking the clothes off and sleeping nude.  There were just too many layers for the bag to work.  As it worked out, he was correct in this case.  Temp that night?  Something like 15.  Instead of doing it his way, I added a Nalgene bottle of hot water which helped.  I now no longer carry Nalgenes.  (smile)  I'm going to give this clothing thing a try... I just think less is more!  Thanks for playing!

Paul:  I totally agree that loose clothing is not binding as you sleep.  But what about several layers?  Still not binding?  You do have an excellent point about already being dressed to hike though!  TI will take a look at the WM Megalite.  I'll look at them all! Thanks!

David:  I sent back a sleeping bag once because I, at the time, didn't know about rolling with the bag vice beneath it.  Such a novice!  I now own bags that I turn beneath, like a bed sheet, and believe I still prefer that.  One of my concerns about rolling with the bag is that if I've been sleeping on my back then any and all insulation has been compressed and it's now my side... and cold.  Am I off track here?  Again, practice makes near perfect on many things. Maybe this is one of those things?  This winter is giong to be such a blast!

Patrick:  I believe you just touched on one of my questions to David.  Thanks for joining in.

Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) to all of you.  You're wonderful to take the time to discuss these issues.  Keep 'em coming.  They're appreciated... greatly.

Aloha! Ann