Western Mountaineering Caribou

“I decided I could afford a new summer bag and settled on the Western Mountaineering Caribou. I bought it locally since it was priced within a few bucks of what I could find on line.

I drooled over the WM Highlite (16oz) and the Marmot Hydrogen. I even tried to snag a great deal on the Hydrogen a couple months ago, only to be notified that the on-line dealer couldn't fill the order.

But this bag looks perfect for my needs. 1 pound 5 oz, 38 degree down. It's got more room than the Highlite and some other ultrlight bags, and its also got the benefit of a full zipper... so I can open it up all the way or use it like a blanket when its too warm. I'll be using it with a mummy liner and will put on extra clothes if it gets too cold - but it seems to be the perfect summer bag for me. I'll post a report on it after I've slept in it for 2 weeks on the trail.”

“Kewl Beans...”

“Tru Dat. I find that anything warmer that 50 degrees at night, for me that is, is too warm for a bag. Does anyone else feel this way. I just ordered a fleece mummy liner that I will try. I have a Slumberjack So-Lite, rating 50 degrees and it is too hot.”

“Tru Dat. I find that anything warmer that 50 degrees at night, for me that is, is too warm for a bag. Does anyone else feel this way. I just ordered a fleece mummy liner that I will try. I have a Slumberjack So-Lite, rating 50 degrees and it is too hot.”

“OOPS”

“I sleep on too hot nights with my bag unziped and just on top of me like a quilt. I sleep directly on the thermorest with no sleeping bag under me. Very comfy and much cooler. You can handle a larger temp range this way. I used my 20 degree WM Ultralite bag on my 40 degree Rocky's trip this way.

I also have a lightweight homemade backpacking quilt for summer use.”

“WK - I find the same thing. On warm nights, I start off with just the bag liner and leave the bag opened nearby. In the New England mountains I often wake up cold and then put the bag over me, like a blanket.... if it keeps getting colder, I start zipping up the bag. That's why I couldn't go for the 1 pund zipperless or 1/2 zippered bag.”

“yeah you can, you if it's not cold then half a bag over you covers you pretty well, if the cold starts blowing in theb you put a leg or two in the bottom half of the bag, you can then zip and unzip”

“I just hate bringing extra weight if I know that I will not need it.”

“I end up needing it a few nights, especially at higher altitudes. As recently as 1986, a man died from hypothermia in August in the White Mountains.”

“all you need is a fleece bag here, in the summer. anything else feels clammy and sweaty to me....and they dont weigh jack.

peddy, mind if i ask how much?”

“Awww... Strat, you do have to go pointing out the ugly aspect of things (lol!).

I paid list price, 210 - first time I've done that for a significant item in a long time. That's the problem with deciding there was just one product tht fit the bill.

Well this morning I'm up early doing some work that will help pay for the bag.”