[pct-l] Balaclavas and Sleeping Gear

[Hiker97 at aol.com (Hiker97@aol.com)]

I agree that balaclavas are a great piece of gear.  I use mine mostly for a 
sleeping hat.  Switchback Super Secret: Be sure to get one with the nose/mouth 
guard.  On a cold night in the sleeping bag your nose can get really cold.  I 
bought mine at REI, but I do not think they carry it currently.  It is a 
Seirus Neofleese Headliner (2 ounces).

Also, get a poly headband (.75 ounce) to go outside or inside your ultra 
light weight balaclava.  Your ear tips can get cold with light weight balaclavas.  
The headband gives you just the right amount of extra protection.  Plus, it 
is something you can use around camp or on the trail when it is chilly.  Very 
nice.  

I also use a light weight 100 poly fleece jacket (16 ounces) while sleeping.  
This is because I almost always use my down bag as a blanket and rarely zip 
it up.  Again, the jacket is great around camp when it is chilly.  And I have 
the Frogg Togg jacket (about 8 ounces) to over the fleece jacket in 
rain/wind/super cold.  Note that I also carry a silk bag liner (6 ounces) and use it 
either as a bag outer bag or inner liner depending on my mood.  Or as a pillow 
stuffer.

I also use poly glove liners (less than an ounce).  I use these a lot when it 
gets cold in the down bag. Sometimes I take them off, but they are close by 
if the chill starts to attack me.  I have some Gortex mittens (under one ounce) 
to go over the liners if I am out in the rain/wind/super cold.

With all this gear, I usually have a very nice rest for very little weight.  
Also, note that this gear is useable when wet, except the down bag.  But I 
have tent with a great fly. 

Happy trails, Switchback