[at-l] Another data point (was "Back then..." comparisons 1979-2004)

[Mara Factor]

I used a full-length Thermarest LE (2" of cushioning) for my entire 
thruhike.  I had already used it for years where it accompanied me on 
numerous weekend and week long hikes and trips like my 10 week trip to China 
and Nepal in 1997.  I've never had a leak in that pad.

Since 2002, I've used a Big Agnes Air Core pad (2.5" of cushioning).  It 
weighs almost a pound less than my thermarest.  When it's cold, I add a thin 
evazote pad which at six ounces, still doesn't make the combination come 
close to the weight of my thermarest.

My first one had a manufacturing defect that lead to a small (very slow) 
leak that couldn't be repaired.  It was replaced by the manufacturer.  I now 
have a second pad with a slight leak.  Still gotta make a permanent repair 
but even without a patch, it only requires one large puff of air in the 
middle of the night to get through the night.

The Air Core pad packs smaller than any other type of pad but I still wish I 
could sleep on one of those thinner closed-cell foam pads...  they are 
lighter...  sigh...

Mara
Stitches, AT99

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit my Travels and Trails web site at:

http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




>From: Raphael Bustin <rafeb at speakeasy.net>
>Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 01:30:34 -0400
>
>
>[Vic Hoyt:]
> > > You're wrong about the Thermarest. I was one of only
> > > two people in the group I hiked with who did not
> >have one. I was on the Colin Fletcher kick, and
> > > swore by Ensolite. The Thermaresters all finished,
> > > and I did not. Hmmm...
>
>
>[Toe:]
> >### If it helps, I remember only two Thermarests at
> >the beginning of the hike. Both were retired as
> >useless hulks at The Place, after weeks of frustration
> >in inflation/deflation and holes. (Don't know of
> >owners made it, though.)
>
>
>My Thermarest (shortie) has seen 3/4 of the
>trail and then some, no leaks ever.  It's anything
>*but* a useless hulk.  Toe says "frustration,"
>I say elation.
>
>  From the 1990 "Philosopher's Guide":
>
>   "Most thru-hikers are now carrying a ThermaRest,
>   usually the lightweight 3/4 length variety.  Several
>   hikers reported going the entire distance without
>   a single leak simply by being careful to remove
>   sharp rocks and sticks before stretching it out."
>
>My Thermarest never goes on bare ground.  It's
>always either a shelter floor or my tent.  I've
>carried the repair kit with me all those miles,
>and felt foolish for doing so.  I don't carry a
>footprint or ground cloth.
>
>The thing I miss is having a pad to sit on
>during long breaks or at camp while making
>dinner.  I wouldn't use the thermie that way.
>
>
>rafe b
>aka terrapin
>