[pct-l] Re: New Revolutionary Gear Concepts Plus Eliminating the Sleeping Bag

[reinholdmetzger at cox.net (Reinhold Metzger)]

SWITCHBACK,     I WOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING AWAY WITH THE SLEEPING BAG.
WARM CLOTH ARE GREAT BUT, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP YOU WARM LIKE A
SLEEPING BAG AT NIGHT.  THAT SILK LINER IS NOT GOING TO DO MUCH AS FAR AS
TRAPPING HEAT IS CONCERNED. YOU DON'T USUALLY HAVE TO MUCH PROBLEM STAYING
WARM WHILE WALKING, IT'S THE NIGHTS THAT GIVE YOU PROBLEMS.
AS FOR WARMING UP YOUR SLEEPING SYSTEM PRIOR TO RETIRING FOR THE NIGHT THEY
MAKE A SLEEPING BAG WITH CUT OUTS FOR THE FEET AND ARMS SO YOU CAN WALK
AROUND WEARING THE BAG.
TWO TO THREE YEARS AGO, IN THE SUMMER AT 10,000 +/- ft  I TRIED USING A
PLASTIC BUBBLE RAP, THAT I FASHIONED INTO A BAG, IN PLACE OF A SLEEPING BAG,
AND CRAWLING INTO THE BUBBLE BAG WITH ALL MY WARM  CLOTH.  I COULD NOT
SLEEP.
I WAS NOT EXTREMELY COLD BUT COLD ENOUGH THAT I COULD NOT RELAX & FALL A-
SLEEP.
ON MY ULTRA LIGHT JMT TREKS I USE A 16 oz WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING BAG.
GO OUT AND TEST YOUR IDEA, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL KNOW   IF IT WORKS
FOR YOU .

JMT REINHOLD
Your warm and cozy with chickens in the bag camp snoozer

PS  Try chickens in the silk liner that may work for
    ----- Original Message -----
From: Hiker97@aol.com
To: cmkudija@earthlink.net ; kdpo@gottawalk.com ; reinholdmetzger@cox.net ;
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Cc: carolbruno@cox.net ; laura629@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 12:07 AM
Subject: Re: New Revolutionary Gear Concepts Plus Eliminating the Sleeping
Bag


Yes, I always like to hear of backpackers thinking outside of the box.  Or
should I say outside of their sleeping bags.  Very good.

Speaking of sleeping bags, I am in a big to-do about eliminating the
sleeping bag from my gear list.  I don't know if I will do it, but the
sleeping bag bugs me from a 3-season gear hiking standpoint.

I know the mummy is warm and we are in our bags for longs times too.  I just
want something more versatile.  I am thinking of going to the down
jacket/pants concept.  Then using a light silk bag liner as an overbag.
This concept is not as warm as a mummy bag I have been told and it is
probably a little heavier too.

I like the idea of walking around late in the day around camp and warming up
my sleeping system.  Of course, there is the advantage of having a super
warm clothing system too.  Under my super light rain suit, I cannot see how
I would be cold on the trial in a blowing cold wet gale wind.  Think San
Felipe Hills in Section A or the lateral trail over to the top of Mt.
Whitney at 14,000 feet.

For 4-season camping, you just add a very light down bag (14-20 ounces) over
this system and you are fine.  No problem -- down layering.  I would use
Epic fabric for the outer shell for everything -- clothes and bags.

Anyway, I am still kicking this idea around.  I want more out my sleeping
system than a mummy bag offers.  What to do?  What to do?

Your hiking buddy, Switchback
Trail Corridor Saunterer & Camp Heater