I found this topic interesting. I live in the pacific northwest and hike the Olympic Mountains all year long. I think that the ultralight people don't understand what the weather is like here because there is no way you can carry extremely light loads and be safe. If I am on an easy popular trail my day-hike pack weighs 10 pounds for a day hike. In anything but summer it is more, and snowshoeing it gets close to 20. Base layer, insulation layer and shell bottom and top. In winter a substantial hooded down parka. I always carry a mylar bivy sack and a 48" closed cell pad, but I might start carrying a poncho now that I have read your recommendation. I was out the last two nights at 4950' and it was unusually warm for Feb. It was 27 F (-3C ?). Thanks for the topic
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Jim M