Very good points Frank.&nbsp; I will be carrying my MSR Hubba free standing tent.&nbsp; (Heavier, but a feature I insist on).&nbsp; Not sure yet about a pad.&nbsp; I've been trying to find one that I saw once.&nbsp; It was a fairly large "egg crate pattern", I think it was blue on one side and gray on the other, and it maybe folded like a Z rest.&nbsp; But memory may be faulty.&nbsp; At any rate, it will be a "Z" something.&nbsp; And yes, I agree.....I insist on being well prepared for any weather emergency.&nbsp; As long as a down jacket will do that, I guess I'll be safe.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Gail<br><br><b><i>Frank Martin &lt;sriprank@yahoo.com&gt;</i></b> wrote:<blockquote class="replbq" style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;">       <!--~-|**|PrettyHtmlStartT|**|-~--> <div id="ygrp-mlmsg" style="width: 655px; position: relative;">   <div id="ygrp-msg" style="padding: 0pt 15px 0pt 0pt; width: 490px; float: left; z-index: 1;">
 <!--~-|**|PrettyHtmlEndT|**|-~-->      <div id="ygrp-text">             <div>Before purchasing an insulation layer you should look at your<br> shelter/sleep system an determine exactly what part your insulation will <br> play in the total equation. <br> <br> So are you using a tent or tarp or tarptent?  Floor or floor-less?<br> Inflatable pad or foam.  What is temperature rating of your bag.  All<br> temperatures rating are not the same.  The bags made by Western<br> Mountaineering, Feathered Friends and the high end Marmots (Hydrogen<br> and Helium) are considered 'conservative ratings'. I have never used<br> them but the new 800 down Montbells look good. Your sleeping bag is<br> your last line of defense.  In a worst case scenario and you are<br> caught in a storm in the Sierra or Washington you want to be able to<br> wait it out and be safe and warm.  Hopefully this won't happen.  If by<br> chance it does you want to be prepared.<br> <br> I carry only one insulation
 layer and that is a down jacket.<br> Personally I have never had a problem with my down getting wet.  Or<br> course most of my hiking is in the Sierra. My shelter is very minimal.<br>  I use the Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape.  This is essentially a<br> poncho-tarp so this functions as my rain gear, shelter and pack cover<br> all in one.  This is not for everyone. For a thru-hike I will use a<br> 30-40 degree sleeping bag or quilt and a very small foam sleeping pad.<br> With this setup I need a heavier down than the Montbell.  They do make<br> a fine product.<br> <br> Currently I am using a hooded PHD Minimus.  I needed a hood because <br> my quilt has no hood.  It is made in UK and I purchased it on their<br> sale when the $ was stronger than now.<br> <br> So rather than looking at your insulation as a separate piece of<br> equipment take a look at the total package.<br> <br> I think the majority of people will spend the greater part of each day<br> hiking.  So for the
 much of the time your insulation really comes into<br> use at the start and end of each day.<br> <br> frank<br> <br> </div>     </div>        <!--~-|**|PrettyHtmlStart|**|-~-->     <span width="1" style="color: white;">__._,_.___</span>     <!-- Start the section with Message In topic -->     <div id="ygrp-actbar">               <span class="left">           <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCT2008/message/410;_ylc=X3oDMTMzNXJ0cGpsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE5MDA1ODY2BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTE1NTE4NgRtc2dJZAM0MTAEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDdnRwYwRzdGltZQMxMTk4MDc0MzM0BHRwY0lkAzQxMA--">             Messages in this topic          </a> (<span class="bld">1</span>)         </span>         <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PCT2008/post;_ylc=X3oDMTJwYXJ2azlrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE5MDA1ODY2BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTE1NTE4NgRtc2dJZAM0MTAEc2VjA2Z0cgRzbGsDcnBseQRzdGltZQMxMTk4MDc0MzM0?act=reply&amp;messageNum=410">           <span class="bld">             Reply          </span> (via web post)  
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