Thanks Jon - that's perfect info. And yeah, I'm not underestimating the winter hike at all. I did one when I was in Boy Scouts around age 13... I'm not sure if I didn't listen or if no one warned about the hardships of winter camp, but I ended up going out to camp with the troop in 6 inches of snow, night time temps of probably about 10 or 15, with a 40* bag and some blankets. I've never shivered so much or gotten up to pee so much in my life! lol I was wearing probably 5 layers of clothes, my bag, and several layers of blankets.

I learned two very important lessons that night: the importance of a properly rated bag and the importance of good ground insulation (I think I might have actually had enough top insulation, it was the snow under me that was getting me probably). Never to underestimate that again - just glad I survived the night so that I could learn that lesson. (and reason #239 that now that my son is in scouts, he'll never be doing the camps without me)