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

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

If it's a warm rain, I'd do the same. I'd probably be wearing a tee shirt 
and shorts anyway and just enjoy having the sweat washed off as I go. The 
Packa would be on the pack and available as a windbreaker in case I needed 
it in an open area or on a summit. The most important thing is to keep your 
sleeping bag and camp clothes dry.

At 12:55 AM 6/24/2004 -0400, Shelly Hale wrote:
>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
> >
> >