I use a Ferrino Trekker Ripstop Waterproof Poncho which sounds very similar to the Packa. Easy to deploy whilst wearing my pack and has a 'backpack hump' and full centre zip. When the rain eases off I can slip my arms out and it rests on the pack only so it's very easy to slip my arms back in if rains starts again. The poncho may weigh more than a simple rain jacket but you also have to balance that against the fact that I'm not carrying any kind of pack cover and when it rains my hip belt and shoulder straps etc will not be soaking up water. :))
wanted to share this with you Hiking - "I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, 'A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them." - John Muir
The Packa is indeed a nice option for rain gear. While it might not be my choice when it gets colder and windy due to its poncho nature it is a great choice when a bit warmer especially because it provides ample ventilation.
True. I do use my ponch as part of my layers when cold and windy. Not warm enough when cold, too warm when hot. Just can't make an old backpacker happy. Such is life. Thanks for commenting. Keep Smilin'
I had a night of early stage hypothermia in Washington on the PCT, middle of September. One of the roughest nights I've ever had, but once I set up camp and got warm and dry it was under control. Really scary. And I had all my rain gear. The wind was just too much and my body couldn't keep up with the loss of heat. Found a little nook of trees to block a bit of wind, set up my tent as fast as I could. I still "pack for my fears" from that night.
Experience is a good thing. My next video is actually a story about an unexpected crisis in Glacier many years ago. You glean a bit of wisdom from every bad turn in the trail. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Keep Smilin'
Thanks for the great videos ! I’m 55 now and been hiking for 40yrs or so, like your thoughts, especially about weight, I went ultralight but then decided 15lbs base weight is light enough! Really like the Patagonia Puff top you wear….Nick from England!
Smiling Everyday. Thanks for the tip on the poncho. My wife and I went to Goldhsead State Park and rented a cabin. We thought you might make it there when you were in Fla but You had to stop just outside Palatka and return home. Sorry we missed you. Happy Trails and like you say keep smilin.
I really enjoy your content. I just did a 3 day trip, always about the length of trips I do. I still work full time. I agree, everybody should carry whatever works for them. I would say that lightweight gear is important to me, my base weight is normally 13-15 pounds and my Fanny pack normally adds another 1-1.5 pounds, depending on the season, and this last trip with 2.5 days of food(I also eat big before I head out) and 1.5 liters of water, I was around 24 pounds. The high was almost 50 with the lows at night in the low 20’s. Very windy. So my basic 3 season kit. It seems lately I have been adding a few ounces. I got a new sleeping pad, my Xlite regular wide has a leaky valve. REI didn’t have any in stock so I tried the Nemo all season pad regular wide at a 3 ounce weight penalty. I also added a flex-tail pump recently at another 3-4 ounce penalty. I am adding 6-7 ounces but the convenience is nice and the pad is thicker and supposedly warmer and it’s more comfortable. I think everyone has to worry about themselves. Who knows you better than you. I have a friend that I met on trail that I hike with once and awhile,(I normally hike solo) he doesn’t really care too much about weight and he thinks I am crazy talking about I just added 7 ounces to my pack. Or if I get a new alpha direct 90 hoodie I can save 10 ounces off my mid-layer. He looks at me like I am nuts. I don’t think I could be ultra light but lightweight works for me.
We're all a little nuts. I wouldn't have it any other way. My non backpacking friends think I have totally lost it. Thanks for the comment. Keep Smilin'
There can be once I figure it out. Right now, more rice and beans NOT wrapped in a tortilla. If I continue to carry the stove I have a ton of Mountain House Freeze Dried to eat. Keep Smilin'
Great video as usual. I tried the snugpak, but too short in the arms for me. A good cold weather option for UK conditions is paramo. But in the end, if it's wet and windy, you just have to face the facts. You're gonna get wet!,😂
I use a Ferrino Trekker Ripstop Waterproof Poncho which sounds very similar to the Packa. Easy to deploy whilst wearing my pack and has a 'backpack hump' and full centre zip. When the rain eases off I can slip my arms out and it rests on the pack only so it's very easy to slip my arms back in if rains starts again. The poncho may weigh more than a simple rain jacket but you also have to balance that against the fact that I'm not carrying any kind of pack cover and when it rains my hip belt and shoulder straps etc will not be soaking up water. :))
wanted to share this with you
Hiking - "I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, 'A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them."
- John Muir
Love it! So true. Keep Smilin'
The Packa is indeed a nice option for rain gear. While it might not be my choice when it gets colder and windy due to its poncho nature it is a great choice when a bit warmer especially because it provides ample ventilation.
True. I do use my ponch as part of my layers when cold and windy. Not warm enough when cold, too warm when hot. Just can't make an old backpacker happy. Such is life. Thanks for commenting. Keep Smilin'
I had a night of early stage hypothermia in Washington on the PCT, middle of September. One of the roughest nights I've ever had, but once I set up camp and got warm and dry it was under control. Really scary. And I had all my rain gear. The wind was just too much and my body couldn't keep up with the loss of heat. Found a little nook of trees to block a bit of wind, set up my tent as fast as I could. I still "pack for my fears" from that night.
Experience is a good thing. My next video is actually a story about an unexpected crisis in Glacier many years ago. You glean a bit of wisdom from every bad turn in the trail. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Keep Smilin'
Thanks for the great videos ! I’m 55 now and been hiking for 40yrs or so, like your thoughts, especially about weight, I went ultralight but then decided 15lbs base weight is light enough! Really like the Patagonia Puff top you wear….Nick from England!
Hi, Nick. Yes, weight is just a measure. I just don't dwell on it. Keep Smilin'
Smiling Everyday. Thanks for the tip on the poncho. My wife and I went to Goldhsead State Park and rented a cabin. We thought you might make it there when you were in Fla but You had to stop just outside Palatka and return home. Sorry we missed you. Happy Trails and like you say keep smilin.
Like Arnold says, "I'll be back."
I really enjoy your content. I just did a 3 day trip, always about the length of trips I do. I still work full time. I agree, everybody should carry whatever works for them. I would say that lightweight gear is important to me, my base weight is normally 13-15 pounds and my Fanny pack normally adds another 1-1.5 pounds, depending on the season, and this last trip with 2.5 days of food(I also eat big before I head out) and 1.5 liters of water, I was around 24 pounds. The high was almost 50 with the lows at night in the low 20’s. Very windy. So my basic 3 season kit. It seems lately I have been adding a few ounces. I got a new sleeping pad, my Xlite regular wide has a leaky valve. REI didn’t have any in stock so I tried the Nemo all season pad regular wide at a 3 ounce weight penalty. I also added a flex-tail pump recently at another 3-4 ounce penalty. I am adding 6-7 ounces but the convenience is nice and the pad is thicker and supposedly warmer and it’s more comfortable. I think everyone has to worry about themselves. Who knows you better than you. I have a friend that I met on trail that I hike with once and awhile,(I normally hike solo) he doesn’t really care too much about weight and he thinks I am crazy talking about I just added 7 ounces to my pack. Or if I get a new alpha direct 90 hoodie I can save 10 ounces off my mid-layer. He looks at me like I am nuts. I don’t think I could be ultra light but lightweight works for me.
We're all a little nuts. I wouldn't have it any other way. My non backpacking friends think I have totally lost it. Thanks for the comment. Keep Smilin'
Is there a follow-up video showing what replaced the tortillas? ✌🏼
There can be once I figure it out. Right now, more rice and beans NOT wrapped in a tortilla. If I continue to carry the stove I have a ton of Mountain House Freeze Dried to eat. Keep Smilin'
Great video as usual. I tried the snugpak, but too short in the arms for me. A good cold weather option for UK conditions is paramo. But in the end, if it's wet and windy, you just have to face the facts. You're gonna get wet!,😂
Agreed. It's all part of living outdoors. You just have to acclimate. Keep Smilin'