Lightest Poncho?

Chris,

I am 5'8". But since this whole thing is custom made, you could ask Joe to make it be taller for you, the only drawback might be that the zipper might have to start up higher, and be at the apex of an inverted "V" where it starts, or else have QwestOutfitters (which I'm sure they would be amenable to doing) substitute a longer waterproof zipper.

On me, the parcho goes down nearly to top of thigh/bottom of butt.

> On me, the parcho goes down nearly to top of thigh/bottom of butt.

Yeah, that's what it looked like in the photos.
I wear chaps when it REALLY rains (temp dependent), and it might not quite make it.

looks good though
thanks

Is this the area you mean for velcro?
Or further in from the edge, maybe?

Precisely, Chris, you pinpointed the spot. Saved me the work of pasting a photo.

I really like that "thumb loop" idea! Same idea as on a sweater sleeve. That could go a long way to taming the poncho. I think I will add that to the ones I made for me and the Mrs.

Michael, what is great about the velcro strap, is that it protects your hand from getting wet in the rain. It saves the weight of needing waterproof gloves if hiking in the rain. It will also keep your hiking pole grip a little drier too. This is a normal feature of the Parcho pattern design and the strap comes with the kit sold by QuestOutfitters.

Hi Roleigh

> I did not communicate what I was trying to convey successfully. I do not
> want to travel with my arms inside the parcho

Actually, I think the real problem was that I got confused by the clear material and though your arms were inside. My mistake. That, coupled with the fact that I often travel with my arms inside, led to my comments.

One reason I travel with my arms inside is warmth. Not sure whether the big slit up the arms will make the Parcho colder: your comments after testing will be of interest.

Cheers

> I really like that "thumb loop" idea! Same idea as on a sweater sleeve. That could go a long way to taming the poncho.

I agree 100%! That's what is really appealing to me about it.

> "Do not travel with the front zip done up AND your arms inside the poncho (ie not in the sleeves) on anything but the easiest of ground!

Why?…"

Why indeed!
I have re-read your post a number of times, and I'm still in awe of the fact that you actually did this.

> I have re-read your post a number of times, and I'm still in awe of the fact that you actually did this.

Yeah, well, … yeah :-)

Actually, what happened was that I had done up just the top 2 snaps because it was raining lightly, and that was OK. But the Velcro rain-seal flap over the snaps slowly crept shut down the front as I travelled. Velcro can 'creep' shut like that.

So after an couple of hours the Velcro seal was done up almost all the way down, and I hadn't noticed. And maybe I was day-dreaming a bit too … Then I slipped on a wet branch and tripped.

Cheers

>And maybe I was day-dreaming a bit too … Then I slipped on a wet branch and tripped.

Talk about a serious backcountry risk – day-dreaming! I don't know how many cuts, bruises, burns I've gotten from that villainous disease. Not to mention far more severe maladies that I've narrowly escaped – I almost got sucked down a lock and dam's spillway one time while rowing, and dreaming about dinner, of course!

Dan's list of people not to do outdoor or risky activities with…

+Devin

;)

Talk about a serious backcountry risk – day-dreaming! I don't know how many cuts, bruises, burns I've gotten from that villainous disease.

Do I hear a candidate for a new Wiki article … perhaps under Techniques? … Way's I've gotten … no, let's make it Way's to get stupid in the backcountry

Day dreaming would be high on my list, but I'm not sure I'm ready to abandon that. Just limit it to lower risk situations.

NOTE: I'm using the word stupid here to mean an attribute of a choice or action, not an attribute of person (or a level of intoxication;-)

"Way's I've gotten … no, let's make it Way's to get stupid in the backcountry"

Let's just call it stupid things I have done in the backcountry. It is our duty to all contribute so that others can learn from our mistakes. I think that walking with your thumbs hooked in the loops on your shoulder straps or belt loops is in a similar category.