winter temps and insulation

[Jeff66]

In preparation for winter I'm looking at down parkas to use for when snowshoeing/climbing this winter. The past couple years I've been out due to IT band issues, but I now have them resolved thanks to a great PT. I can't remember the typical winter temps on San J which I need to know so I know how much insulation I need for the new jacket. I seem to remember it usually not getting much colder than the teens to twenties, but thought I'd check with the veterans.

I've been looking at the Montbell Permafrost with 9 oz. of 800+ fill down and the Bergans of Norway Sastrugi with 12 oz. of 800+ fill down. The Sastrugi is actually a bit less expensive but I'm wondering if it would be overkill in warmth for the SoCal winters.

[halhiker]

Either of those jackets are overkill for So Cal. This is probably more suitable.

http://www.golite.com/Mens-Demaree-800- ... 47036.aspx

They have a store in Cabazon.

[Hikin_Jim]

Jeff,

I've got a big North Face parka down jacket. I hardly ever wear it. It has to be cold for me to wear that thing.

I think Hal has the right idea. A "sweater weight" down jacket with a hood has served me super well. It's light and compact, but it's pretty warm, particularly when worn with a long john top underneath and a shell over the top.

Here's a photo of mine at Lodegpole Spring in the San Gorgonio Wilderness:


Mine's from Patagonia (I got it on sale). That GoLite one that Hal is recommending is a really good price for 800 fill down.

If you're going to go out frequently in really cold weather, maybe you'd need more, but the lighter weight ones are a whole lot more versatile. I'd rather layer up than have a really super warm jacket that I only wear once or twice a year.

HJ

[backpackpack]

Is that GoLite jacket waterproof? What do you do about rain? I am also planning to buy some winter gear soon.

[Hikin_Jim]

That GoLite jacket is not waterproof; most down jackets are not.

They're meant to be worn under a "shell" (typically Goretex or similar). Here, I'm wearing a red Marmot shell over my jacket (obviously, you can't see the jacket, but it's under the shell).


A shell protects the down from water and wind.

HJ

[Jeff66]

Thanks for the suggestions Hal and Jim. Yeah, I have a lighter montbell down sweater and love it, so something with a little more down in it like the golite suggestion would probably work well. The reason I was thinking a little heavier is because I'm considering doing a couple overnighters on San Jacinto in the winter and was thinking I might want a little more insulation for that. I used to use the Eddie Bauer Peak Parka, but it was overkill. (I sold it after I got injured)

[Hikin_Jim]

Nothing wrong with specialized gear if you've got the budget (and the closet space). A seriously warm jacket is a big bonus for snow camping in the Eastern Sierra. Personally, I haven't been able to get away for the heavy duty stuff since my daughter came along, but it's good stuff if you have the time.

HJ

[climbant]

Maybe you can supplement your down sweater with a vest. It would be cheaper and make your layers more versatile.

[Jeff66]

Nothing wrong with specialized gear if you've got the budget (and the closet space). A seriously warm jacket is a big bonus for snow camping in the Eastern Sierra. Personally, I haven't been able to get away for the heavy duty stuff since my daughter came along, but it's good stuff if you have the time.

HJ

That's the trick isn't it! I have a 2 and 4 year old. It's getting harder to get out on bigger/further away trips.

[Hikin_Jim]

Yeah, and you can see my solution: I carry my daughter a fair amount.


For me, it's a pretty big limitation, but it's so much better to get out for shorter hikes than to not get out at all. She's been on multiple overnighters with me although nothing longer than two nights out so far. With (a lot of) help, I've gotten her cross country up over 10,000' in the San Jacintos.

HJ