Going without a sleeping bag ?

[PR Man]

Sorry for 2 posts in a row !

I have an SOL "Emergency Bivy" (weight 8 oz) and a sleeping bag liner.

Was thinking about using that combination in Early June in Southern Virginia and leaving the sleeping bag at home.

I'm very nervous about not having enough warmth.

Would appreciate any thoughts / ideas / comments !

[Malto]

I think it's very feasible...... As long as you carry enough warm clothes to keep you warm at night. But if you do this then what's the point of not carrying a sleeping bag. No, on further thought this sounds like a classic case of stupid light.

[Moose2001]

yeah.....dumb idea. Froze my butt off several times in VA in June. Take the sleeping bag, you'll be glad you did.

[jj2044]

you can get a cheap 35 degree bag that is less than 2 pounds.... out of all the things to leave a sleeping bag is one of the dumber.

[bigcranky]

It's very likely that you'll be cold and unhappy.

[Wise Old Owl]

actually leave the sol and get the bag - or you will be cold and unhappy....

[PR Man]

Thank you all !

[T.S.Kobzol]

leave the bag at home and all the sleeping accessories. hike through the night and take naps during the day when it is warm. nickname...the night rider

Thank you all !

[Blue Mountain Edward]

Do you got a tent? I was uncomfortable in a bivy tent and that is way bigger than a bivy. A bivy is a bodybag for someone who is not dead yet. I suggest a wool blanket.

[wornoutboots]

I've seen hypothermic Hikers in VA the 4th of July weekend! Remember, the Mountains Make their own weather anytime of the year!

[The Ace]

A bivy is a bodybag for someone who is not dead yet.

And when it is dark, raining and cold without any shelter over you, and you have a 58-year old prostate gland, you will probably prefer to be dead.

[Bronk]

I say again, May 21st of 2002 there was snow north of Pearisburg, VA. A few days prior I met a guy using a sheet of tyvek duct taped into a sleeping bag. I'm betting he froze his ass off that nite.

[fiddlehead]

If you break the 10 essentials down to only one, for me, it's always a sleeping bag.
It's the most important piece of gear you have IMO.
Now, if you are overweight, young, from NH or Maine, and don't get cold sleeping, have enough fuel to boil an extra litre of water for your water bottle to sleep with, or have a dog with you, possibly you could consider it. But I wouldn't.

[daddytwosticks]

Get a poncho liner or a lightweight synthetic or down quilt. The quilts can weight less than 16 ounces.

[staehpj1]

And when it is dark, raining and cold without any shelter over you, and you have a 58-year old prostate gland, you will probably prefer to be dead.

Personally I like the bivy solution. I do generally take a light tarp too though. My rationale is that when I am in a tent I am generally in my sleeping bag. Once in a sleeping bag any way a bivy isn't much more restricting. Oh and fwiw I have a 61 year old prostate gland

[bfayer]

I've seen hypothermic Hikers in VA the 4th of July weekend! Remember, the Mountains Make their own weather anytime of the year!

So true. 40F and wet kills more folks than 20F and dry. Mostly because most people would never consider going out in 20 degree weather without the proper gear.

Cold, wet, hungry, and tired is doable if you have a warm dry place to climb into. The same situation without a warm dry place... Well we get to read about them in the papers.

[henry g wilgo]

well now,,,,i start my section hike,springer to marion,va. may19 ..just practicing to pack....thought about reducing weight by leaving (sleeping bag) "OUT" and bring a few extra light weight pullover wickaway tops,,,,and USE a emergency sleeping bag liner...
thereby base weight would be, about 26 lbs,,,no food or water...
GUESS AFTER SUGGESTIONS....."IT IS PRUDENT TO TAKE THE SLEEPING BAG".....IT WILL FIRST IN THE BAG************
THANKS GUYS...FOR THE GOOD ADVISE

[MuddyWaters]

I believe Chris "Cleanshave" Miller got by with just a bivy bag of some type on part of his 2011 hike. His book is pretty good too, worth a read, it was a bargain on Kindle last yr. He is on whiteblaze, and might be a good person to ask about it.

He carried a small enough pack thru part of it he was able to run with it.

[PR Man]

Guess I wasn't clear - the SOL Bivy is strictly for keeping me dry. It only weighs 8 oz. and can double as a ground cloth.

I will definitely have a lightweight tarp also.

And FYI - even at 58 the prostate is NOT an issue. HA !

[PR Man]

26 lbs "base weight" is "crazy heavy" - Even with the 25 degree sleeping bag my base weight (everything except food and water) is still only 12 lbs.