Raingear does double duty - but it is less to keep you dry than keep you
warm. I routinely hike through rain without any raingear (I usually
need the free shower, especially these last few years on the Ranch).
Most of the Scouts that have been in my Crews have hiked with just a top
on, and even that is usually plenty sweaty, even unzipped and with pit
zips wide open - but I guess they prefer warm sweat to a cold shower.
As long as I'm humping a pack, and wearing a hat, I just don't give a
rat whether I'm soaked or not.
On "warmth", note that temperatures in the 30's are routine, and 20's
are reported for some of the highest elevation sites (there have even
been a few teens reported, but they are unusual). I have been at 26
degrees for a personal low on the Ranch, but have more importantly been
in sleet storms, hail storms, and howling winds, many times. That's not
a lot of fun if your activity level is way down, like sitting around
your campsite. A full rainsuit over your long gear and thermals, in
layers, provides wind and vapor barrier protection against such
conditions. Note that it doesn't have to be heavy duty or insulated;
even the lightest stuff (of which there have been many, many suggestions
here) does the job. If you don't have it, then you're pretty much
reduced to retreating to your tents, which is not my idea of a good time
(though I acknowledge that some enjoy it).
On stakes, standard 6 inch straight skewers are fine for all
apllications except the ridge line on the tarp - there two 10 or better
12 inch stakes are needed. Thinner (and minimal profile - no spirals,
etc.) on all stakes is better to reduce impact on the sites. Use
quality steel, not pot metal, you'll run into plenty of rocks that will
bend cheap stakes. This is one of those places where you balance weight
versus strength. But since most of us don't own titanium....
Matt Cole wrote:
> We've had a question come up in our preparations for
> Philmont regarding raingear. Is it necessary to take
> the "pants" part of a rainsuit with you? Is this a
> necessity, or can the hiker tolerate wet pants?
>
> I personally intend to bring pants and top, but this
> question has come up so I thought I'd ask the
> knowledgable Philmont veterans on this list.
>
>
> Also, what are your thoughts on tent stakes? Steel?
> Aluminum? Spiraled? Straight? How long?
>
> Thanks!
>
> YIS,
>
> Matt Cole
> Troop 32 Philmont Crew 727-301
> springmills@yahoo.com
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Received on Mon Feb 9 17:00:12 2004
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