[Philmont] Rain Gear & Sleeping bags

I wonder if this is influenced by where trekkers are from? We live and (mostly) camp in western Washington where it rarely gets hot, and always (mostly, anyway) rains. Both my sons (6-footers, 140 pounds) took ultra-light 40-degree bags and reported being plenty warm, even at 11,000+ feet. They aren't stupid -- they also packed Polartec long johns to wear on cold trails and cold nights. They say they didn't need their long underwear, and were only cold one night in an Adirondack. They were 729-C ('06) on trek 6.

It DID rain every day they were on the trail, usually for 2-3 hours, but sometimes for as long as 4-5 hours. Number One son wore his OR gaiters, Number Two son refused, but always wore long pants that he pulled over the outside of his boots. Both took and constantly wore the Unofficial Washington Boy Scout Uniform of Marmot Precip jackets and GoreTex rain pants (one from REI, one from Campmor). Number Two son says that the guys with shorts and without gaiters had a lot of trouble with stuff getting into their boots on some trails.

If you don't sleep cold, I'm not sure you would get much from the extra bulk and weight of a 20-degree bag. My skinny little sons are used to cool/cold camping and felt their summer bags were just right for Philmont. Invest in good rain gear.

Rick Tyler
Troop 575, Chief Seattle Council
Philmont Coordinator (who didn't get to go)
Expeditions 729-C-1 and 729-C-2, 2006

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Received on Mon Aug 21 22:17:20 2006