Bag for a July-August hike

[maybe clem]

I know this seems like overkill but I sleep cold. However cold you're thinking, I sleep colder than that. When I'm cold I can't sleep and when I can't sleep I can't hike so a warm sleep system is important.

I used a Marmot Helium with a silk liner as a summer bag on the A.T. Do the much higher elevations on the CT translate to significantly lower nighttime temps?

[chiefiepoo]

Geez, Clem. Cold with a helium and liner. Have you checked for a pulse lately?

[maybe clem]

Yeah, I know. I have low BP and a low RHR. Keeps me cold.

[On Track]

I would expect night lows to sometimes dip into the 20's. I would think you'd find the humidity lower on CT than AT, which might soften the chill a bit.

[wandering_bob]

Sept 9 - 13, 2010
Segments 4,5,and 6

Every morning, it was between 22 and 25°F at 10,000 feet:eek:

The old rule of thumb says temperatures change 3°F for every 1000 feet of elevation change. Note that with increasing elevation comes increasing winds, which makes it seem even colder than the air temperature.

Climb high; camp low - but not in the bottom of a valley or cirque where cold air will pool.

It sounds like you'll want at least a 15° bag; maybe 5°F, depending on what level of extra clothing and insulation you carry. These are all part of your total sleep system. More clothes and better insulation = less bag weight.:-?

[Bags4266]

Do you have any meat on your bones? I find when I'm out hiking for a few weeks, and losing weight I get cold easier.

[Tilly]

Wow, you really need a 20 degree bag for a summer CT hike?

I'm a pretty cold sleeper. I was going to bring a 32 degree bag. My hiking partner sleeps warm and likes sleeping in cool weather, he was going to bring a 45 degree quilt...but maybe that's not such a good idea.

[handlebar]

I was very comfortable in my 15 degree WM bag along the CT where it shares tread with the CDT in late June and July this year.

[wandering_bob]

I should point out that I was quite comfortable under my Gatewood Cape in my WM 25°F bag the entire time. I did add 150 weight merino wool long bottoms and top for the night, plus wool liner socks.

[Highway Man]

A 20°F bag should be OK. But mine of the same temp. rating was a little shaky. I blame the shift down inside the shell. I think the temperature was 50°F at warmest nights, 25°F(+-) at coldest nights, throughout the entire August. I was actually thinking about getting a synthetic bag later for much less trail maintenance and more performance assurance.

You could just bring a light blanket or a silk liner together with the sleeping bag of 20°F. I used BA insulated air pad which helped a lot to avoid cold moisture coming from the seeping tent bottom as I had quite a period of rains on the trail. The tent sites are usually long established and compacted.

[Hole-In-The-Hat]

I did OK in July 2007 with a 32 degree Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 -- but I sleep fairly warm. Based on other discussions on this forum, I think most would recommend a 20-25 degree bag...

[300winmag]

I'm doing an early July southern half CT hike and plan on using my WM Megalite 30F. bag AND light polyester long johns and my Eddie Bauer "Down Sweater" on cool nights in the 20s. (Plus an OR fleece Peruvian hat and thick "sleeping socks".)

From my experience on the PCT in low 20s temps I know that will be enough.