Re: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions

The backpacking poncho has one major drawback. When you get to your
campsite in the rain, the first thing you will want to do is take off
the backpack. At that point you have a decision to make. Do you use
the poncho to cover your backpack and the equipment, or use the
backpack to cover yourself.

I also dislike the flapping and blow up rain underneath.

YiS,
Jim Welton
McAllen, Texas

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Casey <irishcasey@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 17:13:13 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>

Hi All,

I'm a novice hiker and backpacker (I must admit, I have never purified
water) and I have a lot to learn in the next 11 months because next
July I'm headed to Philmont. I just found and joined this list within
the past two weeks and I'm astounded by the level of activity. The
courteous and kind exchange of information is great and I guess
attributed to the fact that everyone is a Scouter.

Since I have been on the list the two dominate discussions have been
about water and gear (primarily raingear). Having read there are no
bad questions, I have two:

1. Nobody talks much about using a decent pancho. I know they
(e.g.Campmor) make backpacking panchos that fit over a pack and are
more long lasting than the kind WalMart carries. Does anyone use a
good pancho rather than a rain suit? If not, why not?

2. Throughout the discussion on water treatment, only recently did
someone mention the MSR Miox system. No one has really commented on
it. I'm curious as to why? Maybe because it is so new? I saw it at
a local outfitter store and it's about the size of a flashlight, uses
batteries and charges a mixture of salt and ordinary water to create a
"cocktail" that is put into the water to be treated. There are no
moving parts and the product is odorless and tasteless. I've seen it
on sale for $110 which seems to compare to a good pump filter with
extras filters.

Thanks for any in put on these items.

Mike
ASM Troop 646

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Received on Thu Sep 9 10:26:41 2004