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

[shellydhale at earthlink.net (Shelly Hale)]

Thanks for the response, Jim.  Good advice there.  I'm thinking that I will
better make my decision after I've tested my Packa.

Shelly Hale
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James N. Smith" <jsmith@wate.com>
To: <at-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004 11:08 AM
Subject: RE: [at-l] What do you use as rain gear?


> I'll step out of lurking mode momentarily to chime in on this conversation
> about pack covers and rain gear.
>
> I've come to the conclusion (shared already by a few others on this list)
> that pack covers are worthless. In addition to the already cited problems
of
> collecting water, they tend to slip off, they snag on trees, they don't
> cover 100% of the pack, and they are annoying to deal with when it's not
> raining or begins to rain.
>
> There are really only a few things in your pack that need protection from
> water, namely your sleeping bag and your clothes. I make sure those items
> are carefully sealed in sil-nylon stuff sacks. I made them myself and
based
> them on a Golite design that includes an extra collar to help seal out
> water.
>
> My Golite Gust pack is not waterproof, to be sure, but that doesn't matter
> with the use of the stuff sacks.
>
> Because I'm going to use stuff sacks anyway to contain these items, I'm
not
> adding weight to the pack. In fact, I've cut weight by not carrying a pack
> cover and by using ultra-lightweight sil-nylon.
>
> The benefits of this was proven to me last summer when I hiked in a
> drenching daylong rain in Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. What mattered
> stayed dry.
>
> But perhaps I should add the standard disclaimer: YMMV.
>
> _____________________________________________________
> -jns
>
> Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
> - Steven Wright
>
>
>
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