[at-l] sleeping bag?

[Frank Looper]

On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 6:40 PM, Cody Girl <codycodygirl at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello all!
>
> A friend suggested I do a gear inventory with all the pertinent info like
> weight, sq footage, features, etc, of all the gear I have to figure out what
> I need to upgrade and what I have that will work for my AT thru hike.  Then
> we compared it to her gear inventory.  This is a really great idea to get
> the complete picture of what's in my pack, but my results are rather
> sobering.  All my backpack experience is for trips 5 days or less (can't
> remember if I told y'all that or not, sorry if repetitive).   Turns
> out almost everything I own has a lighter weight solution.  My avg 40-45#
> fully loaded pack has been fine for short trips (frankly because I didn't
> know any better), but long haul will wear me down.  I want to improve my
> odds of getting to Maine.
>
> I have a nice warm snuggly 15 degree down bag that weighs 3lb 1oz, but I now
> know I can save some weight here.  I'm pretty sure I want to stick with
> down, but am wondering what bag you would recommend for the early chilly
> days of an AT thru hike.
>
> Down or synthetic?
> 15 degree or higher?
> Use a liner?  if so, what material?
> Any brand or design you especially like?
> Cadillac worth more than a Chevy?
> Ladies, I'd also love to hear your thoughts on whether women's bags make a
> difference.
>
> I look forward to your comments!
> Thanks, Tortoise
>
>

I use a Western Mountaineering Versalite Super 10F for the "Very
Winter" time of the hiking year. I use a Mountainsmith Wisp 30F for
the rest of the year. The WM is more like a 0F bag, down, 2 lbs. The
MS is 1.5 lbs, down, and comfortable at altitude all Summer long.

Last year, there were people who were absolutely miserable in
less-expensive 20F bags. I never, ever got cold.

IMO, your bag, your ground pad, your pack and your shoes are the big
4, importance-wise. My shoes are inexpensive NB 479 trail runners. A
backpack with a high comfort level can be had for well under $200.00.
Cheap ground pads are also easy to find--I use a Gossamer Gear Evazote
foam Mt. Washington pad. Very cheap, comfy and light. A Ridge Rest is
cheaper and almost as light. The only place that I do not scrimp is my
sleeping bag. My wife paid $400.00 for my WM 10F bag. At first I
freaked, but she calmed me down by calling it here "worry insurance."
I had been out too many nights near or at 0F, and she was tired of
worrying. I decided to be kind to her and keep the bag. Aren't I nice?
:-)

Seriously, and no joking, if your bag doesn't keep you comfy, you are
a lot less likely to stay out on whatever hike you start. I'm not a
thru-hiker, but I would guesstimate that I have 7,000+ miles in total
hiking. I just refuse to sleep cold. Other people will have different
opinions, and they will be just as valid!

FrankenLooper, who's throat is sore from all this typing...