[Philmont] Rain Gear & Sleeping bags

Stephen Readett wrote:

  On the rain gear side I must have looked like I should have been on
America's Funniest People trying on the Marmot Precip full zip pants at the
REI store. I took me a full frustrating 20 minutes! I have been looking at
the Precip since it comes so well recommended, but is the full zip really
that difficult or do I just need to practice putting them on more? I have a
very good pair of rain pants but I need to remove my boots first.
When I finally found the correct size of boot that would accommodate my feet
comfortably after they swell from backpacking, I discovered I could no
longer jam it down the leg of my rain pants. For this trek I purchased the
PreCip full-zip rain pants, and as you describe, awkwardly attempted to
figure out how they went together and on my bod. On the trail I soon figured
out the best practice was to never fully unzip them. I'd run the leg zippers
up and the waist zippers down to almost meet at my hip sockets, then take
them off and stow them like that. The next time I needed them, I could
easily identify the waistband, and the opening was plenty wide enough for my
large boots. Even when they were muddy, it was not hard to get them through
the wide leg openings up near the derriere without soiling the inside of the
rain pants. Once the pants were in place, a quick zip-zip closed up the legs
and pulled the loose waistband snug around my waist.
  On another topic, Sleeping bag temperature ratings. I sleep warm so I
would think a 20 degree bag would be more than adequate for Philmont. I know
it is more of a personal preference but I like to be prepared. (I am a
gearhead with more gear than some outfitters.) It has been recommended to me
to bring a 0 degree bag. I think that is overkill. I didn't even use a 0
degree bag at OKPIK! I did have a liner though which might have brought my
bag down to 5 degrees or so.
I'm skinny and get cold at night, so my wife treated me to a 15 degree down
bag five years ago. I use a smaller than normal stuff sack for backpacking,
and so the rating on those trips is somewhat warmer than that since it never
refluffs fully. I'm good with that bag to around 30 degrees, with socks and
thermals. Other leaders in our troop have 20 degree and 30 degree bags, and
because of different body types do just fine. Two treks at Philmont and I
was never cold, although I think the coldest on either trek was around 40
degrees.

Bottom line: lots of variables to consider which swing the numbers both
ways, including manufacturer ratings. I think you'll be fine with most 20
degree bags. A 0 degree bag is certainly overkill, except if you already own
it and it's lightweight, and you don't mind sleeping on top of it most of
the time.

>Ched Hudson
Troop 994, Fairfax Station, VA
Philmont '67, '04, '06

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Received on Mon Aug 21 21:58:15 2006