[pct-l] rain/bug gear

[losthiker at sisqtel.net (Deems)]

I carried a Golite Dome umbrella last summer on the JMT and it was great the 
first 3 days of the hike during the monsoon that occurred, but it was then 
9oz of dead weight for 2 more weeks. It's like investing in the stock 
market, past gains may not reflect future weather performance. But since I 
carried the Dome on that trip I was able to carry a 3oz Patagonia Dragonfly 
windbreaker and a pair of 4oz Golite reed rainpaints.  An umbrella is my 
preferred hiking shelter in constant rain, camp chores, and for basic mental 
stability during rainy trips. This year on the Washington-Pct I'll be using 
Patagonia's Specter 8oz coat and those Golite pants, total wt 12oz.  Be sure 
to carry that Nuclear-level-Deet, the snow levels are 100% plus on the PCT 
this year, and the skeeters will rule this year. I also carry a 1oz headnet 
for the worse case skeeter scenarios. I was able to fold my sleeping pad 
over my P2 pack and strap it to keep it dry, plus all the important survival 
gear (sleeping bag, clothes) was in plastic bags. I was hoping Reinhold -JMT 
wouldn't notice my umbrella when I met him at Lake Wanda....his trail gear 
was so insanely spartan!!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 I am planning to thruhike this season and have a few q's as I wrap up my 
gear planning that hopefully some folks here can shed light on.  one is rain 
gear.  I haven?t done much hiking in the rain (I prefer my rain frozen, ie 
snow!) and am wondering what rain gear people prefer to hike in.  ponchos 
offer the best coverage for the weight, plus double as a pack cover, but 
don?t offer the dual-purpose bug coverage.  a rain suit (marmot precip or 
other) is heavy and also requires carrying a pack cover, but can double as 
bugproof clothing.  other than gallons of DEET, is there another feasible 
alternative to bug protection that allows the use of a poncho?  is a poncho 
a nightmare with snags and flapping?  has anyone tried using a garbage bag 
outside the pack, and cutting slits to pass the shoulder straps thru, as a 
superlight rain cover?  (I tried it once on a short hike and it seemed to 
work, but once and 5 months are vastly different) or ray?s umbrella concept?

  thanks,
  Mike