Re: [at-l] GEAR question (!!!!)

["W F Thorneloe, MD (Domain will change soon to attglobal.net)" <thornel@ibm.net>]

Excuse me, but do you have feelings about this? I'm not quite sure I 
understand your opinions regarding this gear.

;-)

I suppose I should have added the "YMMV" axiom to my note, but in the week 
I have used the Ridgerest (grey roll up closed cell 14 oz pad), I had as 
good a padding as with my 3 pound Thermarest. There was no real significant 
cold to suggest advantage regarding insulation value. I just simply found 
that both pads tend to slide around the same, that the ground is similarly 
transmitted to my body, and that after 2-3 days of hiking, I can sleep 
comfortably and soundly on just about anything. I didn't need to carry the 
repair kit, and I didn't have to blow up the Thermarest that instructs me 
not to blow it up.

But comparing the Thermarest to a Cadillac? Okay, made in USA, bulky, 
expensive, and frequently needs inconvenient repairs. Yes, I see your 
point. I guess you see why I prefer an inexpensive, simple and reliable old 
foreign car.

OrangeBug
Atlanta, GA

At 10:18 PM 11/3/1999 -0500, John Musick wrote:
>The Thermarest to the Ridgerest is like a Cadillac to an Escort.  OrangeBug
>should try about 2000 or so miles  and he will find out very quickly.  The
>Ridgerest is actually quite a piece of crap.  It does not cushion you from
>the ground and if you are in any type of harsh clime with low temps, you
>will freeze your A** off with a Ridgerest.

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