Bag ratings for a thru.

[Jarhead16]

I'm planning my thru-hike and I am wondering what temp ratings everyone uses. I have picked out a 20 degree bag so far but haven't purchased it yet.

[Doughnut]

30 - 40 depending on when you start. I am planning a SOBO next year. I plan to start with a light 35 degree, if I am still hiking in the fall, I will have a 20 degree sent to me, or sleep in my long johns.

[Smile]

Depends on how cold you sleep, 20 sounds OK for a warm sleeper to me. :)

[Jarhead16]

Oh yeah, it's a NOBO and I'll start in April.

[SC Ryan]

I'm starting with a 20 degree bag (early march), then switching to a 40 when it warms up

[Jarhead16]

Yeah, I tend to sweat and I figure if I get hot I can simply unzip it a bit.

[Smile]

Perfect. Better to have to vent the bag, than to be too cold Jarhead. :)

[Jarhead16]

Agreed, I woke up this morning to start my finals and fell back asleep because I was so cold I couldn't get out of the bed!!!:eek:

But, I woke up 4 hours later and got on it.;)

[Mocs123]

I wouldn't go without a 20* bag or warmer. It can get COLD in March and April at high elevations even when the day before is very mild. I wouldn't use a 35* or 40* bag until May.

[jersey joe]

Jarhead,
On my NOBO thru I left mid March with and used a 20degree bag. I carried it the whole way. There were probably only a couple of nights where I could have used a warmer bag. There was one night in Pennsylvania in late May where I was SO glad I didn't send my bag home yet. One thing to consider is that you will start losing weight as you hike and will not be able to keep as warm as you typicall do. I'd say a 20degree bag for an April start is right on!

[Jarhead16]

Sweet, I forgot to ask about using a 10 degree liner as well for the Super cold nights.

[jersey joe]

Sweet, I forgot to ask about using a 10 degree liner as well for the Super cold nights.

I didn't use a liner but I did wear wool socks, gloves and a wool hat to sleep in. A liner might not be a bad idea.