Cold weather test of used gear

[Grinder]

used gear report

Yesterday, the tarptent Virga I purchased from a forum member came in the mail (thanks Doodlebug!!)

Coincidentally, the weather forecast here in Florida was for a low of 29 deg. This was too good of a chance to try the tent and My Kelty Light Year +25 Down bag. (also purchased used from a forum member).

The tent went up intuitively, with a bit of head scratching concerning the rear strut. I gotta say neat tent

Since Kelty's have a reputation for being on the cold side, I dressed warm. Long johns, old light quilted long johns and a sweat suit knit gloves and a stocking hat. (I know!! I could have almost slept with no bag. So sue me. I'm a cold sleeper). I also used a blue CCF pad under the bag.

Things went well.

I do have to get and learn to use a pee jar. It is a pain in the posterior to unzip and loosen the pull cords to get up for pee call.

And, at dawn, (the coldest part of the night,) My legs and feet were just barely tolerable. The bag would be too cold at it's rated capacity for me anyway. The temp at 9 AM was 33, so the predicted low was close to actual.

Grinder

[optimator]

I do have to get and learn to use a pee jar. It is a pain in the posterior to unzip and loosen the pull cords to get up for pee call.
Grinder

Yellow Nalgene. Nuff said :rolleyes:

[Tipi Walter]

I use my cooking pot, but clean it before cooking.:) I'm glad you got to experience a little bit of gear useage and outdoor sleeping. I know as I get older my propensity for getting cold increases, so over the years I've slowly upgraded to beefier thermarests and warmer bags. No big deal, just a bit more weight on the back.

For most bags, whatever the given temp rating is usually 15 degrees off, so a zero bag might stop working for most people around 15 degrees. Or even higher. With down, it's all about fill power and weight, and I don't know the fill weight in your bag. A good winter bag traditionally has around 32-38 ounces of goose down. A tried and true number. Anyway, thanks for the report.

[Franco]

Grinder
Get hold of a better mat and you will be much warmer. A 1' self-inflating would be better, a 1.5" will be better still.
If you are testing your set up in you backyard, just put a thick blanket under your mat ( or a layer of newspapers) and you will discover how important bottom insulation is.

Franco