[at-l] What do you use as rain gear?

[shellydhale at earthlink.net (Shelly Hale)]

Packa...now that sounds interesting.  I'll check into them a little more.  I
have an external frame pack.  Though I'll prolly have to get a bigger one
for my thru.  I would like something that would cover my pack, too.  Sounds
just like the ticket.

Like I said in an earlier post...I was drowned in Erwin recently.  I took an
emergency poncho because I thought my North Face Light Mountain Parka would
be too heavy.  But, in all honesty, I sweltered in the poncho.  I ended up
taking it off and enjoying the rain.  As long as I kept moving, I was very
comfortable.

Thanks, Jim!

Shelly Hale
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Bullard" <jbullar1@twcny.rr.com>
To: "Shelly Hale" <shellydhale@earthlink.net>;
<at-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:41 PM
Subject: Re: [at-l] What do you use as rain gear?


> At 06:57 PM 6/23/2004 -0400, Shelly Hale wrote:
> >Well...it's rainin' again.  The pitter patter of drops reminded me that I
> >had wanted to ask everyone what they use for rain gear.  I'm not too
> >partial to umbrellas on the trail.  They seem to get in the way more than
> >anything.  What I'm really interested in are jacket and pant & other such
> >gear reviews.  Has anyone tried the Packa yet?  I would like to hear more
> >about it.
>
> I have a Packa made to fit over my external frame pack (purchased last
> August). It has everything I was looking for in rain gear. It covers me
and
> my pack, has pit zips, is loose enough for air circulation so I don't
sweat
> myself wetter than I'd be without it, comes almost down to my knees, has a
> draw string at the bottom to keep up-drafts from blowing it over my head
> (as ponchos are prone to do), stuffs in its own pocket and is very
> lightweight. I've tested it only in a couple of brief showers however (it
> did keep me dry) because Ed seems to have put some sort of charm on it. It
> *never* rains when I carry it. I had it with me at the last Gathering and
> (thanks to my Packa?) we had a dry weekend. Even when thunderstorms and
> downpours are forecast as they were last Friday when I took it on my hike
> but didn't see a single drop of rain all day. The testing I did manage was
> by running out into the yard at home when it was raining.
>
> As for rain pants: I don't bother. I just assume my legs will get wet. I
> prefer to wear pants made of quick drying material or shorts. In warm
> weather I always wear shorts and protect my lower legs from
> insects/brambles/mud by wearing gaiters (OR Rocky Mountain High, pack
cloth
> model <http://www.orgear.com/>). I've had them for years and they've held
> up very well. I just throw them in the washer when they are dirty. No
> special treatment like Gore-Tex requires. The cord under the boot sole
> wears out occasionally and I just replace it with parachute cord.
>
> I have considered carrying a very small umbrella to facilitate taking
> photos in the rain but I haven't tried it yet. In order to try it, I may
> have to stop carrying the Packa so it will rain while I'm hiking. ;-)
>
> Saunterer
>
>