Going Light

“Stovie just sign up for the trip!”

“sandyann - I notice you do not carry a lot of daytime insulation so the temps you are hiking in must be mild. Do you really need the Western Mountaining Antelope? That's a 10 degree bag, maybe carrying a WM UltraLite Sleeping bag (a much lighter 20 degree bag) would work for you?
last edited: 8/11/05 9:08:20 AM”

“You take one of these hiking?


last edited: 8/11/05 9:11:00 AM”

“Is that like, the world's biggest crack pipe bit?”

“It's a heat exchanger.”

“Geeeeeeeeee, Nigal, don't you know anything important??? That's a RANE 6’ x 10.5’L Two Pass Cross Flow, Exhaust/Inlet, Heat Exchanger.

Duh!!!!”

“At least it's on wheels.”

“RANE 6’ x 10.5’L Two Pass Cross Flow, Exhaust/Inlet, Heat Exchanger.

LOL
That's actually what it is. I didn't make it up.”

“Stovestomper - I am wearing shorts with a tank top and a long sleeve shirt for during the day. We are hiking in the sierras around 9K - 12k feet. Nighttime temps anticipated to be around the 30's. Yes the WM bag is heavy (rated 5 degree). But I tend to sleep very cold. One thing I forgot to mention is I am bringing a down jacket in case it gets really cold.

I could carry the MSR Blacklite pot - but it is a friends and brand new so I decided not to take it. Maybe I should? Also weighed the nalgenes @ 5.5lbs and the platypus is 3.5lbs so I guess I can lose 2 pounds easy - but are platys safe and tough?

The eureka tent is only 3.6lbs. I looked at tarps but ultimately chose the tent....I have no really good reason for that choice other than privacy. The other thing, I don't really care how heavy the pack is, except this time I was trying to lose some of the overall pack weight. I am down about 13lbs so far so I should be happy.”

“I'm a very cold sleeper too, but I will carry the WM UltraLite bag (I have 4 WM bags)instead of the heavyer bag. You could always put the jacket on inside the bag during the coldest morning hours if you wake up cool.
I've found just drapeing a jacket over myself inside a bag works great.

I've been using the same platy for a couple of years, but I try not to fold it in the same areas. The platy will form a small leak if you fold them repeatly in the same places.
last edited: 8/11/05 9:45:20 AM”

“Ok then...I will use the platy and save 2lbs.

I also learned the down jacket trick when I went to Everest. I started out drapping it over the top of the bag and eventually starting actually wearing the thing inside the bag. I was using a MH Tallac bag then.”

“the platys are virtually bombproof, or you can just use 20oz old water bottles. After i whittled my weight down i was still heavy...my last upgrade was my pack..my old one weighed 7.5lbs+ empty..ula p2 now!!
And how much weight are you going to loss by going from one WM sleeping bag to another WM bag....they are all light and small, and i don't F with sleeping cold.”

“i got a really cheap, pretty light cookset from binks a while back. i think it weighs around half a pound for a 1 lt(?) pot and a smaller mug that sits on top as a lid. gsi or something i think. it was under 20 bucks.”

“And how much weight are you going to loss by going from one WM sleeping bag to another WM bag... - OPIE

Antelope Super MF 2 lbs. 7 oz.
UltraLite 1 lb. 10 oz.

Looks like 13 oz. Dang near a pound. ;-)”

“can't order a WM overnight in most cases, and what is the UL rated too? If i was in the sierras i'd be in the antelope too.

Heh, what the hell am I talking about..I own a sherpa...*grins*”

“can't order a WM overnight in most cases, and what is the UL rated too? If i was in the sierras i'd be in the antelope too.

Heh, what the hell am I talking about..I own a sherpa...*grins*”
OPIE
10:12:54 AM
8/11/05


No, but you can walk into a major gear store and buy one, LOL.
The UltraLite is rated for 20 degrees. Should be perfect for near 30's like sandyann said she will be in.”

“I think I will resolve most of my concerns by using the platypus. I really like the Antelope since it is roomy and I can virtually disappear inside it's comfyness.”

“SS, how far away is a local retailer for WM from you? lol Does the mail even still run to Mississippi?”

“He did say MAJOR gear store. I'm not sure anywhere in B'ham would stock much of a selection of WM's.”

“There is a gear store in Bham at the Summit. It's a little small shop right as you enter the Summit area right beside Sak's 5th Avenue. Last time I was in there they had Westerm Mountaineering sleeping bags. I was very suprised to say the least.”

“That might be High Country. Alabama Outdoors probably has some too.”

“dayhiker, OPIE can't read, you know where he went to school, LOL. ;-)

I can make the short drive to New Orleans and buy a WM bag.
There is a gear store in the big mall in Hoover that had WM bags. I walked into a major gear store in Knoxville TN and bought my WM Antelope Super MF off the shelf about 6 hours before I needed to use it.
last edited: 8/11/05 1:03:52 PM”

“Are the BA bags anygood? At some point I'm going to have to pony up for a 0* bag. I just don't want to shell out for a WM. I gots babies to feed.”

“BA bags?????”

“Big Agnes??”

“Yep, Big Agnes. I got a insulmat thermx a week ago and it fits the BA bags.”

“dayhiker, I've heard they are good, but big.”

“thx”

“I wasn't trying to make a pun. A lot of the BA bags are very wide cut. I like my winter bags to fit fairly tight so my body doesn't have to keep a lot of air space heated.”

“I thought you were being serious. It'd be nice to get a cooler weather bag before the Football trip in Oct. We'll be at 6k one night. My 20* campmor bag is good for about 30*. I'll have to use it and my quilt. Maybe next year I can get a "real" bag.”

“4 wm bags? Good lord, man!! i got 1 and it's worked for every condition i've been in. i got the hooded aspen and it's good in summer and i've slept in it at 6 degrees and was slightly chilly in the morning.
i'm glad i like it so much. i don't think i could afford to shell out for another one, much less 3 more.”

“LOL, and that is just the WM bags..... ;-)

I'm divorced, no kids, make a good salary, and can spend my money any damn way I please. ;-)
last edited: 8/11/05 4:21:35 PM”

“I think that makes you a DSHINK.”

“Dayhiker, I have a zirkel and it's great. Temp rating is right on, quality construction (no stuck zippers), nice fabric, and lightweight. I use down in winter so don't want my bag to be too snug. If it's too tight it tends to compress the down. I'd say the zirkel is roomy but not overly so. If we ever end up on a hike together you can try it out. The system with the sleeping pad for the bottom of the bag works wonderfully. No drafts, no chills.
My next bag will be another BA down one. I need a 40° or so fdor summertime. If I ever get a job, lol.”

“I've thought about that concept also, going ill prepared to save the weight, but that's never the case. Last week a buddy and I went out for a little two night backpacking trip and we compared packs and gear, and my pack was half the weight of his, and another thing, I had much more gear then him. I had much more food, and I also had more water. Why?! Well because i'm much more smarter then my buddy, and I do have a little more money then he does lol. But going light does not mean going ill-prepared.”

“Finally...after days of packing, repacking, repackaging, weighing, hemming and hawin, I have put my pack in the garage. I will come home from work tomorrow take it out of the garage and leave on my 7 day trip. If it ain't in there, it ain't going. My husband called last night and asked what I was doing and when I told him I was eworking on my pack, he said 'you were oding that last night and the night before...' He thinks I am obsessed ;O)

Final pack weight = 39 pounds. My goal was under forty!”

“Good job! Have a great trip.
last edited: 8/12/05 8:41:56 AM”

“Have Fun, sandyann!!!”