plans are afoot! another climb to 11000 feet. sleeping bag?

[vash]

crap, i was hoping my friends forgot about it. august, we are apparently doing it again. i cant bail on them. they are about x2 (compared to you all) when it comes to skirts & vajayjay jokes when they sense weakness amongst the group.

last year i almost died, going over the pass with a 69 lb pack. this year, i hope to almost die with a much lighter pack. i am hoping to borrow a better one man tent..i'm gonna buy that thermorest extreme light sleeping pad..then maybe buy a super light sleeping bag.

REI 20% membership sale is going on now. my buddy never uses his, so i will mail order the sleeping pad. my local REI only has the full body length pad. i just want to cushion myself from head to "below my ass". should save a few ounces.

what about sleeping bags? i have a marmot never ending summer 0 degree bag. it was cold as a mofo out there last year..i cant get a cooler bag to save weight..any 0 degree bag recommendations? for myREI 20% discount? maybe a 20 degree bag and sleep with a down jacket?

[vash]

pack cant get much lighter..we are packing in full hunting gear..binos, bows, arrows..etc.

my daily cycling of the local hills better pay off

[Cdnone1]

Drop the tent and you can save a lot of weight.

Steve

[sc_rufctr]

You need a duck down filled bag. I'm not sure what's available over there but they scrunch into a very small and light package. Super warm.
Don't get it wet though. It can take a full day to dry out and they can get moldy.

Make a full list of everything your taking and then be brutal and cross off anything you would consider a luxury.
A 3/4 Thermorest is a good idea. I've had one for over 20 years and it's been patched multiple times.
Shoes have to be the best you can afford. Not runners or anything wussy like that. Proper walking boots are a must.

Get yourself a little hip flask and fill it with some good Bourbon or Scotch. A sip just before bed is excellent way to relax.

I take Guarana chocolate bars with me whenever I'm on a long hike. (More than 100kms) I often hump a medium format camera, film, light meter and stuff on these hikes.

[ODDJOB UNO]

down is freeking WORTHLESS if it gets wet. north face DARK STAR! -40F POLARGUARD! can be completely sopping WET and will STILL KEEP YOU ALIVE!



prepare for the WORST and HOPE for the best and freeking gear up and get a crow bar for yer wallet if you VALUE YER AZZ!




down is spendy polarguard is cheaper.



proud owner of a north face IBEX -30 degree rated down bag

and


proud owner of tnf DAR STAR polarguard -40 degree rated.



and thats DAMN COLD!



-21F is the coldest i have been actually out in it elk hunting for 10 days.

[RWebb]

lose the tent and make sure you each have a bivy sack to go over your sleeping bag - it only cuts your survival odds a little bit...

not many bags out there better than the Marmot ones - how old is it? what happens when you hold it up to the light and look thru it??

Western Mtnring is as also a good brand

[RWebb]

yes, down bags MUST be kept dry and that includes water from condensation

goose down is usually better than duck down

select the camping spot with care -- e.g. cold air pools in valley & hollows

[willtel]

They are far from cheap but when it comes to warmth, durability, and weight there is no finer bag than a Western Mountaineering. They have great resale if you don't plan on using it much. I have a 20 degree bag that weighs about 18 ounces and fits inside a Nalgene bottle.

[ODDJOB UNO]

a very good goretex bivy sack and prices vary as well as colors is the USGI goretex bivy sack. works very well if unplanned moisture happens(poo happens), for use with a down bag.



polar guard a lil heavier to hump.



if you note my "crap that matters" post. inside my arcteryx(ILBE) pack is my north face ibex down bag stuffed into a seal skin waterproof compression sack.



always waterproof the hell out of down. at the least a hefty trash bag.



and.................................as per my amigo on the durango colorado search and rescue team................



if ya think yer gonna DIE, just before ya DIE, find a really big blowdown tree, and bend over it.



why ? YOU ASK?




so when ya DIE...................you are perfectly pre-formed for my buddies pack mule saddle to hump yer dead azz OUT!

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by willtel

They are far from cheap but when it comes to warmth durability and weight there is no finer bag that a Western Mountianeering. They have great resale if you don't plan on using it much. I have a 20 degree bag that weighs about 14 ounces and fits inside a Nalgene bottle.

What about the "Kodiak MF"?

Western Mountaineering

What about a two man tent and then split the tent components with a buddy?

[Noah930]

Ditch the tent. Three of you could zipper together two sleeping bags and squish in there together. Or is that too "friendly"?

[ODDJOB UNO]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Ditch the tent. Three of you could zipper together two sleeping bags and squish in there together. Or is that too "friendly"?

mmmmmmmm.....................smoked oyster FARTS!

[rusnak]

Covered wagon!

[RWebb]

that is why a nice warm honey is a great "climbing" partner

there is a great book on cold about some guys doing a winter climb of McKinley - I think the title is Minus 148 or something like that -- a nice warm honey told me about it a long time ago

[ODDJOB UNO]

the thang about hi "tude" climbs is any time a storm can hit. and i mean anytime. like being at 14,000 ft in the san juan range. 4th of july rain sleet snow lightning at 12 noon. and i mean our butts were puckered from the lightning. and it was UGLY! and i WAS AFEARED!


found an abandoned mine and hid out while the storm passed.


hi altitude anywhere bring plenty of water. having to boil snow or purify is a PITA!

[vash]

last year, i borrowed a tent. it was essentially a small 2 man tent.

rain was an issue. everytime it rained or threatened..all the gear got put into my tent. it was a life saver. two guys used bivy's..

[porsche4life]

Get the best lightest, 15-20 degree down you can afford...

[9dreizig]

Vash what are you hunting above 11000 ft ??

[vash]

deer.

we really cross over at 11000. and drop down into the high 9's and camp.

need more help.
sleeping pad. thermarest NEOair..is the one i am gonna get.

question. should i get the 47 in long one, or the 66? the 47 goes to mid thigh.
47 = 260 grams, $100
66 = 370 grams, $115.

i get to use my REI 20% discount.. 110 grams is about .25 lbs, right? will "softness" under my knees and calves be that much more comfortable?

[sc_rufctr]

Considering were you'll be I'd get the longer one. (66 inch) It'll also help keep your sleeping bag dry.