Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#95676 - 05/04/08 05:54 PM WANTED: Sherpa or Psychiatrist
Heintooga Offline
member

Registered: 04/15/02
Posts: 470
Loc: GSMNP
A few years ago my back went out and not long after my knees went looking for it. Neither have returned! I want to sleep in a semi-rectangle (WM Brislecone) but don't want to carry anything heavier than mummy (WM Versalite). Hmmm, maybe I can find a good deal on previously owned, low milage llama.
_________________________
...ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein... (Jeremiah)

Top
#95677 - 05/14/08 07:41 AM Re: WANTED: Sherpa or Psychiatrist [Re: Heintooga]
mockturtle Offline
member

Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 251
Loc: WA
A psychiatrist would probably be cheaper than a Sherpa. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

My sister and her husband recently bought a couple of pack goats [yep!] and just started training them. They're an Alpine cross and will get quite large, for goats.

Top
#95678 - 05/14/08 08:15 AM Re: WANTED: Sherpa or Psychiatrist [Re: Heintooga]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I noticed that both bags you listed are down toward a zero rating. A couple of thoughts crossed my mind:

1) Are you frequently camping in sub-freezing temperatures? If not, take a look at the WM Mitylite, 40-degrees and 26 ounces. I've got one, and it's my favorite bag for conditions where a hood isn't really necessary. I've taken it down to 25 degrees, sleeping in a tent and wearing down booties, pants, hooded down sweater, and down mitts (all of which I would have been carrying anyhow.)

2) If you really are camping in near-zero weather a lot, do you really want to give up the hood? Seems like the heat loss from your head might impair the ability to sleep warm regardless of the bag's rating.

Just a thought.

Top
#95679 - 05/14/08 02:38 PM Re: WANTED: Sherpa or Psychiatrist [Re: Glenn]
Heintooga Offline
member

Registered: 04/15/02
Posts: 470
Loc: GSMNP
Quote:
2) If you really are camping in near-zero weather a lot, do you really want to give up the hood?


I have a Mitylite for summer in a Hennessy Hammock. Since I started this thread I got a Versalite for the shoulder seasons. The Bristlecone has a hood but I doubt I get one. I refuse to intentionally push a bag beyond it's rating so if I want to be out at 10dF I won't carry the Versalite, I'll carry a 0df to assure comfort. I'll be carrying down camp cloths and will use them for sleeping as an emergency layer, only. I looked into getting a llama but then I'd be restricted to horse trails.
_________________________
...ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein... (Jeremiah)

Top
#95680 - 05/14/08 03:29 PM Re: WANTED: Sherpa or Psychiatrist [Re: Heintooga]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Sounds like you've thought this through pretty good. I just wasn't clear on what conditions you were hiking in; I've seen too many folks who intend to hike only from late spring to early fall by a 15-degree bag "just in case."

Like you, I don't intentionally go out planning to extend a too-warm bag into known cold conditions. (I've got a Megalite for that.) However, I've once or twice had temperatures drop down a little colder than planned, and the addition of jacket and pants made up the difference. So, just for fun, I pushed the Mitylite's limits in my backyard once, using all the down clothing I had.

Now that I've totally exposed my ignorance on your plan, I'll ask one more question: how well do pack animals handle temperatures approaching zero? You wouldn't want to risk losing an animal that couldn't handle the conditions. (And I'll bet you've already thought of this, too.)

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum