Going to Primal Quest

[Aaron Sorensen]

Hello all,
I currently stepped up as a substitute and I am now almost 100% on my way to the 2006 Primal Quest Adventure Race.

The management doesn’t even give the location until spring so that teams won’t already know the area and train in areas that they will more than likely hit during the race.

Anyway, we are told to be prepared for temps ranging from 0 -40 degrees celsius. Since we won’t know which stage will be hot or cold, all the clothing will need to be taken for the entire race, (up to 10 days).
Obviously, I want to go as light as possible, excluding the mandatory gear, but I am torn between what layering to bring for such I drastic range of temperature.
The items I do need incorporate in the list are

1. Thermal top and bottoms
2. A fleece top

All though the 2 above items are only mandatory for the Mountaineering sections, since I need to bring them anyway, I would like to keep it as part of the layering system, (this is not absolutely necessary if a better layering system could be used).

What I would currently like to use that I already have is:
1. Thermals – Merino top, (long sleeve) and bottom.
2. Shirt – Merino bike / hike shirt,
3. Event fabric – Pants and Jacket
4. Maybe make a single layer light jacket with a slit in the center that will drape over me so I can also use it as a blanket, (would weight about 6oz). But I also need a sleeping bag for the mountaineering, so it might be an overkill.

Any suggestions would really help.

By the way, my team is #81
Silicon Valley

[R K]

Hey Aaron,

Head:
REI windpro beanie
Thin neck gaiter

Torso:
Lightweight Smartwool top(longsleeve)
Nike ACG 100 weight fleece
Patagonia micro puff vest
Montane lite-speed windshirt

Legs:
Nike running tights
Lightweight Smartwool bottoms
Montane feather-lite pants

Hands:
Smartwool liner gloves
Mountain Hardware tempest gloves

This is what I wore last summer while hiking on the JMT. Upper temps were in the 80’s and lower temps in the 30’s. When it was hot I would hike in just the running tights and the wind shirt. When it was cold the system was warm enough while standing around in camp.

You could probably replace the wind top and bottoms with your event items, although I have never used event and can’t comment on its breathability

Soft shell pants may be a better choice (more durable). Some examples are the Cloudveil Peak pants or the Arcteryx Switchback pants.

If your gonna be on the move constantly you could probably go without the Micro Puff vest and just hop in your sleeping bag if you stop.

Good Luck,

Roy

[Author]

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