[pct-l] Gossamer Gear Report

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

Well, I am back.  Short hibernation.  Big deal.  Cut me some  slack.  I was a 
little grouchy because my doctor read me the riot act and  put me on insulin 
shots in the stomach twice a day.  Even on the  trail.  But then I started 
thinking about it.  I have fought off  grizzly bears and Indian attacks on the 
trail, so a mountainman like me should  be able to handle this.  No problem.  
Sorry about that.
 
I got my big Gossamer Gear goodies today in the mail.  Very  nice.  Even 
great customer service for a trail slouch like me.  A few  comments:
 
1.  The super light balancing hiking poles seem like they will work  great -- 
3.5 ounces each.  I of course immediately made modifications that  did not 
register on my electronic scale.  I put orange reflective tape  around the poles 
just below their label.  Also added about 3 inches of  clear Duck tape to the 
bottom just above the pole basket -- I know how this area  takes a beating.  
And I added Kelty reflective cord under the handle for a  "keeper strap" so I 
do not accidentally drop a pole.  Of course, the cord  is NOT for load 
bearing.  I might add some tennis racket grip  tape to the handles if I think I need 
them a little larger for my  hands. 
 
Suggestion: They should make their label below the handle of a reflective  
material.  May be it is and I just do not know it.
 
2.  The Driduck rainsuit is very nice.  On trail use only.   Very light 
jacket at 4.25 ounces and the pants at 6 ounces.  I  especially like the large 
hood.  My SunPrecautions hat with the large hat  bill will fit under it perfectly 
and give me great rain protection.  I  bought the XXL suit so I would have 
lots of room for layering.  Of  course, I will have to order another one when I 
lose the 60 pounds of  mountainman "muscle" to get down to my fighting weight. 
:-)
 
3.  The Polycryo Ground Sheet (32"x96") is silly light.  I think  about 1.25 
ounces.  This is really wild stuff.  I guess I will  have to really clean the 
ground before I use the this. 
 
4.  The Night Light torso sleeping pad only weighs 3.75 ounces.   Plenty big 
enough for me.  No problem.
 
I got other stuff too, but this is what I wanted to comment on  for you.  
Some gear items come in nice ZipLock type  pouches.  These can be recycled for 
your gear use or for the original  items if you can get them back into the 
pouches.  Go to the Gossamer Gear  website and check things out.  The weights are 
probably more accurate there  too.
 
Your hiking buddy, Switchback
Trail Grump & Trail Town Hammock  Champ