First, Raincoats: I think I've mentioned that I've been considering an upgrade on raincoat for some time. I've been using a jacket I got (Columbia, but a good, top-of-the-line one) in 1996, just prior to my trip to Paraguay. It has since gone through use in every camping trip on which I've been in the past 10 years, as well as being my winter-coat overlayer (over an REI fleece). It has holes burned in the sleeves from embers during long-forgotten February freeze-offs, is down to a zipper stub (easily worth replacing -if the jacket was a lot more new & functional), and no longer holds a waterproof treatment. It work OK-but only OK during the Mixdorf/Dan rain romp on Maine's coast, with its current inability to shed water combined with a lack of pit zippers & adequate ventilation (always an issue with this coat) it pretty much performs an "anti-wick;"inviting rain in to mix with the sweat that can't get out.
I finally went for it and got a really nice Marmot raincoat. T-Clog will appreciate the fact that I tried the model on at REI, then went for the same thing, but $25 cheaper at Campmor. Here it is:
"Angel Wing" feature under the arms to allow for natural movement. Breathable. Waterproof. Pit (and other) zippers for ventilation. Marmot reputation. It's awesome and I can't wait to use it.
Next, Trail Pad: So, I've got the same (or very similar) trail pad that we all do-the eggshell foam thing. I'm just going to say it: I haven't had a comfortable night's sleep on a camping trip for about six years. For a guy that likes to think he's pretty decent at "roughing it" and who once went about a half year sleeping only on a trail pad at Johnson Street, it was a little tough to first recognize, and then admit; but the simple fact is that as my body ages, it is less and less capable of finding sleep on hard surfaces comfy. And I don't want to "rough it." I want to have a wonderful, comfortable sleep out in the wilds. A luxurious sleep listening to night sounds, and eventual luxurious, drawn-out waking, listening to morning sounds. I'm going to invest the $40-$50 in a self-inflatable matress (trail pad variety, obviously; not "twin-sized"). I would highly recommend everyone else going on this trip and planning to sleep on rock do the same.
Next, Head Lamp: I may end up being the only guy without one of those headlamps (around $35, right?). I plan to get one of those headbands that can hold a mag-lite. I would like to have a nice, fresh new bulb for the maggie, though.
Next, Dishes: Seems like it would be a cool idea for us all to have the same dish/cup. That way, they could stack together for packing. Considering we'll all be toting 1 1/2 gallons of water apiece, it would be nice to conserve space in that way. Thoughts?
Next, Trekking Poles: Clogger, I'd still really recommend this. I know Target has these for under $30. I love mine-you know what they say, "Once trek, never back."
Other thoughts?
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5 comments:
Head lamp is nice, and I do think you can get one for far less than $35. (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=32893787&memberId=12500226)
There's an LED (recommended for efficiency/breightness) for $15. They (Campmor) hav another for $10. May spend just as much on the maglight thing.
Clearly wicking clothing of all sorts, all the way down to undies and socks is important. I assume that Escalante has a relative humidity of less than 20% and so things will dry well, but it's those wet feet that cause blisters. You'll never avoid it altogether, but good socks are awfully important.
I'm good on the undergarments. The list still exists out there:
http://www.geocities.com/hylton44/Backpack_Summer_Extended_Desert.doc
I was specifically making mention of things that had been unresolved the last we had all spoken about them.
I already bought camping dishes. The trk poles seem to be over the top here. getting down into the canyons and getting out is the only place I see them being used. Even then I don't think that you will need them. Hiking the river bed will not be easier with poles. Hiking slot canyons will not need poles. If we were climbing mountains I would consider it. The only good that poles would be good for on this trip is if one of us was going under in some quick sand.
You may not quite get the idea of the poles. They make ALL your hiking easier. Better weight distribution. Better on your knees for ascents & descents, for sure. But increasing your ability to hike with a load on your back tremendously. Most of the backpacking I do these days is with Lucy as the cargo, but kid or gear, I don't go backpacking without them these days. Seems like it would be a real shame not to bring them to Escalente.
You are very welcome to bring them. I thank you for sharing the info on the importance of poles, but I might go about the old school way. Circa pre-dam era.
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