A year ago changed from synthetic to a 40 degree “water resistant down” enlightened equipment quilt. I really like this company. They have a lot of custom options, and it reminds me a lot of Falcon Sails. I have never owned a down bag. Now I know why people love their down bags. I went with a wider quilt to give a few more options. I really like it. Its super light and packs amazingly well. We all know when down gets wet it is pretty much worthless. Someday I may get burned, and have a difficult cold experience. Since I have been lucky, and never had a wet bag, I am going to take the risk. Hopefully their high tech water resistant down will help. I also I keep it in my driest compartment, and put it inside of 2 bags. Lastly, my tent does not have mesh in its lower levels, so my tent is a little drier than it would be with mesh in the lower levels.
For me the major down side is the quilt was expensive. I think it will last a long time.
The other topic about navigation info sharing.
One of the big things that attracted me to kayaking and going out into the wilds is it is an inclusive sport, not an exclusive sport. I have always found, if you are ready to go and there is room you are invited. If you are not ready to go, people are always willing to help you progress to the next level. I do not see special categories of knowledge or skill people had to learn the harder way.
I started paddling with a group of white water paddlers that would literally take the shirt off their back for me. Okay maybe it was just a dry top, or a balaclava but you get the idea. After all these years nothing has changed, except now a lot of the people that brought me into the sport have moved on, and all us newbies are the ones helping the new newbies. With my sea kayaking friends, I turn over all my navigation info, including all the special access points, camping spots, tracks, way points, gpx files, what ever. Those special places, will still be special or even more special when I am lucky enough to run into an old friend, or maybe a new friend. I am always happy to meet a new paddler.
I do not categorize information into the categories of “I am willing to share” and “here is other information, you have to learn the hard way”. You can slice it and dice it and differentiate it any way you want. Helpful information is helpful information.
One fundamental aspect of navigation is “collection of local knowledge”. I suggest people get local knowledge from the people that know the most about what they plan on doing.
Somebody handing over navigational information (like watertribers have done for me) fits into the same category as all the other information and knowledge necessary to take your paddling to the next level. It is not going to make or break the person receiving help, or the person that was being helpful. Navigation is only 1 of many critical skills necessary. Somebody turning over a track to me was only a small part of my planning. In reality it did not reduce my planning time at all. It only helped me improve the planning I could do with the time I could put into it. It just helped me take it to a slightly higher level.
If you think somebody should enjoy the process of learning things the hard way, you can let them make that choice for themselves, like those who choose to do big adventures with no gps.
With all these things in mind, I encourage everybody feel free to do what you are naturally inclined to do. For most people that is to ask questions, and be as helpful as you can in answering questions. If you are inclined to keep your hard earned information to yourself, and your close friends that is fine also. Please do not make people feel badly for asking, or giving. It is a good thing when more experienced people help new people in a sport or location.
