[pct-l] ultralight umbrella

[losthiker at sisqtel.net (Deems)]

Twenty five years ago I would have laughed at the thought of my carrying an
umbrella on the trail or into the wilderness! Now as a member of the old
fart's club, I carry one when I feel the forecast shows rain, or if going in
for a couple weeks in the Sierra or Winds. I carry an early model tan
colored Golite Dome, with the steel shaft; the current model has carbon
fiber spokes and shaft. Now going on 6+ years old, it still works great. The
carbon fiber spokes and well thought out RayWay design has held up well in
high winds, hail storms, pack rub, and heavy and gentle rains. Just last
month I walked all day for 14 miles in the rain in Section O and the nine
ounces earned their keep and carry many times over. In the Winds in one day
I went through 4 different thunderstorm episodes, and the umbrella was a
welcome relief. When in camp and tired of being tarp bound, I pop the
umbrella and walk around in my minitarp and enjoy the rain and scenery. In
the Sierra2001 while going cross country on the Sierra High Route, I used
the umbrella with a tailwind to climb a valley using it like a sail. In the
blazing sun above timberline where there is no shade or solar relief, I have
used it for portable shade. Golite now makes a solar Dome with a silver
reflective coating, mimicing the RayWay of covering your umbrella with
silver mylar (tan works good). After many years of hiking and camping in
soaked rain gear, few of which ever work for very long in the hard rain, I
have found this 9oz umbrella a welcome piece of gear in my pack. It doesn't
qualify as ultralite, but for me, the Golite Dome has a place on my gear
list, has been trail tested for many seasons, and to me, is the best
umbrella for trail use available.
http://golite.com/
http://www.golitestore.com/store/NS_proddetail.asp?number=AC0102  standard
Dome $20
http://www.golitestore.com/store/NS_proddetail.asp?number=AC0112 Chrome Dome
$30
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It's hard to imagine an umbrella like that surviving very long on the PCT.
 At least, it's easy for me to imagine forgetting about it and sitting
back against a tree on day one.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience hiking with an umbrella?

Paul