[pct-l] Quilts vs bags - ha!

Mon Mar 5 20:02:52 CST 2007

Very good info!  Thanks Bill!

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Batchelor [mailto:billbatch at cox.net]
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 5:21 PM
To: paul at bluebrain.ca; 'Matt Bradley'; 'PCT-L'
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags - ha!

First,  I will second the ray-way sizing.  Add a few inches side to side on
the measurements, and two three inches to the length.  The two new features,
draft-stopper and Gorget may make the slight under-sizing problem non
existent.  However, a couple inches too big is much better than too small.

I have made two Ray-Way quilts.  - Love them.  I will be carrying one of
them on my trip.  They have a new fabric now too that is supposed to hold a
bit more heat in, still breath, and not weight.

The one I plan to bring on the PCT has the "Alpine" upgrade making it rate
at 28 degrees.  Everyone's personal cold threshold is different.  My
experience is that the Alpine is fine for me to about 30.  Below that it
gets a bit cool.  So, the rating seems fair.

I toss and turn a lot.  As such, I tend to open gaps in the sides
momentarily on the flips.  During most PCT nights of mid 30's or 40, this is
no big deal.  On the occasional sub-28 degree night, those gaps give away
precious heat.  So the trick is, how to keep the edges held down on those
nights.  You will see many variations on "hold down" options on the Ray-Way
site to hold the edges down for those colder than rated nights.  Here is
what I did. I found at REI a small "clothes line"  (see link below for
actual item).  This clothes line is a simple line with a series of clips
along it.  The clips weigh a few grams at best.  They snap open and closed
to grab fabric for hanging.   I bought this clothes line just to get the
little clip/snappers.  I attached two clips to the end of some small elastic
(1/16"?) cord.  The cord is perhaps a 11" long.  I made up a couple of
these.  On cold nights, I simply clip one end to the left side "draft
stopper" fabric, run the elastic under the pad and clip it to the opposing
side.  I put one at about the shoulder area and another around the waist
area.  The elastic allows it to flex in and out as I turn and pulls itself
back when I settle.  It also keeps the draft stopper tucked under the pad so
even during the turn it does not gap open.  The solution weighs about two
ounces.  I am going to keep extra elastic cord in my bounce box.

With a two person, I doubt any of that will be even a consideration.  There
is nothing like another body in the bag to keep you warm.

I hope you find that helpful.

BillB  (YTNH)

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Paul Mitchell
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 4:22 PM
To: Matt Bradley; PCT-L
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags - ha!

This is kind of funny ... I was just looking at my gossamer gear bag and
thinking "Hey, this is a really nice looking bag.  If I got another one of
these, I could cut each along one side where the lofted part meets the
bottom, velcro the two bottoms, put zippers along the middle and they'd
attach to make a fantastic quilt/bag setup !  We could unzip it down the
middle when we wanted some air, each side has a nice full footbox and head
box, it'd be a great setup!"

.. then I looked at the bottom and it's a Nunatak bag.  lol.

So, apparently I already own a nunatak bag.  Kind of funny, that.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Matt Bradley
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:31 PM
To: paul at bluebrain.ca; PCT-L
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags

Paul,
     Yes, the Nunatak stuff is expensive although not too much more than a
lot of other high-end bags such as Western Mountianeering.  I know that you
have already probably ordered your Ray-Way quilt but (for the benefit of the
rest of the list) one option for down that is cruelty free is Eider Down.
It comes from Eider ducks and is hand harvested from the nests after
breeding season.  It is usually around 900 of 950 fill power which is the
best available , it is hypo-allergenic and it is significantly more
expensive than the more common Goose down.  Last time I checked Nunatak was
able to make Eider down bags but that was a while ago and it would likely
make the production and delivery time longer since everything is custom made
to order.  I highly reccommend that anyone looking for a high end sleeping
bag talk to the folks at Nunatak.  Their stuff is top quality and their
service is the same.
Peace and Love,
Matt

On 3/5/07, Paul Mitchell <paul at bluebrain.ca> wrote:
>
> Thanks Matt
>
> Wow, the nunatak stuff is expensive!
>
> Another consideration is the cruelty factor related to goose down.
> I've got three goose down bags, but recently I've found out that the
> process by which this down is harvested subjects the geese to a
> lifetime of suffering, so I'd like to buy synthetic from now on,
> whether it's the best option or not.
>
> So, I've ordered the rayway couple quilt kit.  Now, what you say about
> the sizing is very interesting!  Thanks for the tip, I would have just
> made it to spec otherwise, but now I'll take care to experiment before
> cutting and assembling.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
> [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Matt Bradley
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 8:34 AM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Quilts vs bags
>
>
> Paul,
>      I have been using quilts for my backpacking for years now and I
> have been very pleased.  I have an old Golite Fur quilt, a Ray-Way
> homemade quilt and a Nunatak Arc Alpinist.  The Nunatak is
> far-and-away the winner in performance with a 20* rating for 18 oz.
> My quilt is actaully 20 oz. with
> 2
> oz of overfill and I have slept under it in temps near 20* reasonably
> comfortably.  If you go for the Ray-Way kit make sure to cut it wider
> than you think you need it.  Even following Ray's instructions mine is
> only wide enough to sleep on my back under and if I roll on my side it
> doesn't quite reach the ground.
>     For my anticipated 2008 PCT hike I am probably going to use some
> sort of two-person quilt for me and my partner but I haven't quite
> decided what the best option will be.  I really like the Dual Arc
> Alpinist but for nearly 600 dollars is is a hard pill to swallow.  Let
> us all know what you decide to do and how it works out for you.
> Peace and love,
> Matt
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--
Matt Bradley
mattbradley1 at gmail.com
http://www.trailjournals.com/peaceandlove
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