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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I had a very similar setup to yours for my 2007
attempted thru (call me a long section hiker). A Marmot Hydrogen +30,
Driclime Windshirt, WM Flight Jacket, rain gear.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I carried everything the whole way (1600 miles)
including SoCal desert. I cannot speak for anyone other than myself, but I
*never* wore the Flight Jacket whilst hiking, it is simply too warm, even in
cold conditions. The Driclime under your raingear will provide a good
measure of insulation on the move, I think even the coldest hiker would be
sweating up a storm after a half mile in a Flight Jacket (plus your Pillsbury
Dough Boy comment is a real danger!)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In fact I rarely used the Flight Jacket except as a
top-notch pillow and as a boost to my sleeping bag on the sub 25 degree
nights.....but on the occasions when I did need insulation in camp, and the
Driclime was not enough, well, then it was worth its eleven ounces in
gold. I kept both the jacket and my sleeping bag in a trash compacter bag
and they never got wet. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Further caveats.....I have yet to hike the two wet
states (that is next summer's section hike) so the conditions may warrant a
different strategy. But I think even in a cold rainstorm in WA I would not
be wearing the down jacket while hiking.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have no experience with the other jacket you
mentioned, but you can't go wrong with a Flight jacket if you're set on
down.</FONT></DIV>
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