Lightest sleeping bag I can get away with

[Icarus]

I wouldn't consider my self an ultralight thru-hiker, but I do like to keep my pack light. I wondering what you guys think is the highest temp bag I can get away with, leaving GA at the beginning of March 08? I'm looking at a 45 degree bag thats only 1lb 1oz which would be great, but am I going to be freexing my butt off for 2 months?

[Lone Wolf]

20 degree bag. anything higher would be foolish.

[_terrapin_]

45 degree bag's OK from June to mid-September, but you need something much warmer for a March 1 start (and for late season in NH/ME.)

[Appalachian Tater]

You may have a couple of nights where you have to wear clothes in a 20 deg. bag and then still find yourself too cold to sleep through the night.

[SGT Rock]

I have a 1 pound 1 ounce bag that is probably about a 20 degree bag. High loft and low weight.

That said, your bag is your last line of defense against hypothermia. Don't skimp on the rating to save on weight or money.

[taildragger]

http://featheredfriends.com/ProductD...me=Hummingbird

Get an extra ten ounces and don't worry about freezing your arse off in a late snow, or a lovely sleet

[wrongway_08]

I bought 2 bags,
1) Mont Bell 40 degree bag - 1lb 1oz with stuff sack
2) Mont bell 15 degree bag - just around 2 lbs 2oz
both are comfy and warm - the 15 degree is really warm, draft collar and all.

[quasarr]

You can get a 20 deg down bag weighing in at 1lb 10oz, but be prepared to shell out $300 or so!

http://www.westernmountaineering.com...2&ContentId=17

a warm sleeping bag is a matter of safety, 45 is definitely not warm enough for March.

[Footslogger]

Have to agree with the 20 degree recommendations already given. Might be a handful of nights when you leave it partly unzipped but the eves are still pretty cold.

I carried a 20 degree bag to Pearisburg, VA and then switched it out for a lighter summer bag and that was almost too early - - at least in 2003. Every year is different.

In terms of weight ...you can find 20 dgree rated bags at 2lbs or less.

'Slogger

[mudhead]

Has anyone tried the quilts from BPL? Spendy little demons...

[Mocs123]

I would recomend a 20* from Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Mont Bell, or Marmot. A full zipper would help that bag extend to warmer tempretures, but is not a necessity

[Gray Blazer]

Listen to the advice. I camped in the Nantahalas mar 24-28, 2006 and it was about 10 degrees each night.

[max patch]

If you don't get a 20 degree bag now then you'll probably find yourself getting whatever bag they have at whatever price they want to charge when you reach Neels Gap.

[Lone Wolf]

If you don't get a 20 degree bag now then you'll probably find yourself getting whatever bag they have at whatever price they want to charge when you reach Neels Gap.

that ain't no s**t. hikers spend a TON of money there and it's just 30 miles into the trip.

[JAK]

I think a good rule of thumb is that at least 50% of the weight of your bag or quilt should be insulation. I think that probably works out to about a 20F rating if it is a good quality down bag, perhaps a 30F rating if it is a good quality synthethic, and perhaps a 40F rating if it is some form of minimalist summer quilt. Depends on other variables, like shell material and ground pad, but my point is, regardless of what sort of rating you need and what sort of bag it is, if it is less than 50% insulation, you might as well add more insulation even if you don't need it.

[Ron Haven]

Listen to the advice. I camped in the Nantahalas mar 24-28, 2006 and it was about 10 degrees each night.

You are right Gray Blazer.I picked this group of hikers up at 6:30am on April 6th at Deep Gap and the temp was 7 degrees.Several said they were getting their heart right that morning before I got there.

http://www.appalachiantrailservices....0_0108_700.jpg

but when they saw that raggidy old bus coming at least a 20 degree bag.Light weighters are like a bear,usually cold and hungry.

[hopefulhiker]

I used a 23 oz down blanket with a five oz silk liner. Also I used an insulated BA air mattress. The blanket was rated at twenty degrees.. Also I had a down sweater I slept in sometimes. I still got cold a few nights...

[Icarus]

I'll probably pick up a 15 or 20 degree bag then, I have a REI kilo plus but its 0 degrees and kinda heavy.

[Jim Adams]

I wouldn't consider my self an ultralight thru-hiker, but I do like to keep my pack light. I wondering what you guys think is the highest temp bag I can get away with, leaving GA at the beginning of March 08? I'm looking at a 45 degree bag thats only 1lb 1oz which would be great, but am I going to be freexing my butt off for 2 months?

In early March in Georgia under poor conditions with a 45* bag, you may be freezing your butt off in the afternoon!
I treated Mule '90 for hypothermia on Tray mountain and he had a 32* bag.


geek

[Appalachian Tater]

I'll probably pick up a 15 or 20 degree bag then, I have a REI kilo plus but its 0 degrees and kinda heavy.

Smart move. Make sure that the rating is pretty accurate. Also, like somebody said, don't get rid of it too soon. Damascus is way too soon. Pearisburg may be a bit soon. Harpers Ferry is a safe place to switch to a summer bag. Remember, it's better to be a little warm and have to unzip your bag than to be cold.