[pct-l] Hiking in Rain Gear

[TOM AND JOANNE BALCOM]

h In September 2003, I was on the Three-Fools Trail, an alternate trail--due to a fire crossing the PCT at Hart's Pass. It had been raining all day from Ross Lake.  Ten miles from Castle Pass, at 6,000 feet, the rain had turned to snow, and the wind was blowing.  I had on long pants, a long T-shirt, fleece jacket, silnylon rain pants, and rain coat with hood, gloves, and a fleece hat.  But the only parts of me that got really cold were my feet.  Once I dropped off the top of the mountain, down to about 4,000 feet, I warmed up.  The moral of the story--at least in my case--is, as long as you are moving, you are not going to freeze.  I was snowed on three times during my thru-hike.  I would not hike without a synthetic sleeping bag because even going to bed wet I always warmed up and pulled clothes off in the middle of the night.

Stretch

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: montypct<mailto:montypct at gmail.com> 
    To: Roger Carpenter<mailto:rogercarpenter at comcast.net> ; Mark Jernigan<mailto:footslogger03 at yahoo.com> ; pct-l at backcountry.net<mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net> 
    Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 8:53 AM
    Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiking in Rain Gear


    Late June 2005 two very experienced hikers I was hiking with, one a triple 
    crowner, got in trouble from the  weather conditions.  Luckily they were 
    both able to exit the trail that same day.

    I was hiking this in a spincloth tarp/poncho (with custom wrap arounds and 
    tie downs for the winds), a down bag, and no tent.......Insane!  At Harts 
    Pass seven of us (the Sardine Seven) were crammed into an outhouse and still 
    not able to warm up.  This year I'm going to make a better effort to stay 
    alive.
    Probably rain gear that fits tightly around the face, wrists, waist and 
    ankles.  Montbell Thermawrap instead of the Inner Down.  A synthetic 
    Sleeping Bag?  A tent? (desparate measures!)  And a way to keep my hands dry 
    (either make some silnylon mittens or use bread bags and rubberbands for 
    over my gloves).

    I haven't decided yet, but I really, really hate adding on weight.

    Does anybody know the average weather conditions in Washington in mid and 
    late September?

    Warner Springs Monty

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: "Roger Carpenter" <rogercarpenter at comcast.net<mailto:rogercarpenter at comcast.net>>
    To: "Mark Jernigan" <footslogger03 at yahoo.com<mailto:footslogger03 at yahoo.com>>; <pct-l at backcountry.net<mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>>
    Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 7:54 AM
    Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiking in Rain Gear


    > In Washington the rain may last for days without stopping.  In those
    > conditions preventing hypothermia is your main concern.  You should plan 
    > on
    > having multiple layers of non-cotton garments (a combination of polypro,
    > fleece, a rain shell for example).  For a rain shell, whatever keeps you
    > warm and dry will work.  A light-weight one will work in most conditions 
    > as
    > long as you have the other layers to keep you warm enough.
    >
    > Roger Carpenter
    >
    >
    >> -----Original Message-----
    >> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net<mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net>
    >> [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Mark Jernigan
    >> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 5:44 AM
    >> To: pct-l at backcountry.net<mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>
    >> Subject: [pct-l] Hiking in Rain Gear
    >>
    >>
    >> OK     ...so I loathe hiking in any type of rain jacket.   So how
    >> do most hikers deal with the rain in the northern secion(s) of
    >> the PCT, especially Washington ??   Can you just hike through it
    >> like most of us did on the AT or is it too cool ??
    >>
    >>   Thanks in advance    ...
    >>
    >>   Footslogge
    >>
    >>
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