RE: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions

Excellent point on the rain suit warmth factor. I should have mentioned it
when I put my $0.02 into the conversation. Thanks Jon for making sure it
was remembered. Layering is a very important technique at Philmont where
the temperature could change 30 or 40 degrees in just a few hours.
 
BTW, for those of you considering saving 4 ounces by not bringing a knit
cap, look somewhere else for the weight savings. That cap will do wonders
keeping you warm on those cool nights and in the early mornings.

  _____

From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Jon Mather
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 5:41 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Novice backpacker with Philmont questions

On the subject of rain suits vs. ponchos . . .

One advantage has not yet been mentioned.

Rain suits are much better than ponchos because they serve a dual purpose:
warmth in cold and/or windy weather. On my past 3 treks at Philmont, I have
been able to wear my rain suit over my zip-off pants and my lightweight
fleece jacket, when needed, for extra warmth. Because of this dual use, I
have not needed to take long underwear, which has saved me space and weight
in my backpack.

The rain suit, plus a lightweight knit hat/toboggan, and lightweight glove
liners, when worn with long zip-off pants, shirt, and a lightweight fleece
jacket, can keep a person pretty warm.

Another comment on rain suits. The breathable rain suits are worth the
money. If you bring a cheaper rain suit that is not breathable, this is
what will happen: when you are hiking with a non-breathable rain suit, you
will get so sweaty that you will not know whether you are wet from rain or
wet from sweat. Most likely, you will be wet from sweat. And you will be
hot. You will begin to wonder whether it is worth it to keep the rain suit
on, since you are (1) wet anyway, and (2) hot as . . . ! On my first
trek, we ran into 3 days of rain, and I had the non-breathable rain suit.
You can bet that on my last 2 treks, I brought along a breathable rain suit.

And the breathable rain suits can be purchased for very reasonable prices at
CampMor. They do not need to be Gortex, as less expensive fabrics are now
available that are still breathable. The rainsuits, especially the jackets,
can be used later on for football games, cross country meets, day hikes,
etc.

Jon Mather

Troop 387

Kingsport, TN

Philmont 1998, 2001, 2004

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Fri Sep 10 02:58:55 2004