Last days before trip questions. . . .

Hi Gents,
Couple of last minute questions.

1. Anyone up there over this last weekend? If so, how were the skeeters?

2. I have 2 sleeping bags. 15F Mountain Hardwear 2nd Dimension (synthetic) 3lbs 2oz, and 32F Mountain Hardwear Phatom (Down) 1 lb 7oz. Is the 15F bag overkill for Yosemite in July?

Thanks!

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holz

The 32F bag should be just fine. I only use less than that in late fall and
early spring. If I used a 15 now I'd end up sweating during the night,
pulling my socks off, etc. So... at the end of the day it depends if you
are a warm or cold sleeper... and what other close you bring along...
This time of year we actually use a 45degree bag and just bring a fleece
pants and jacket along.
Have fun.

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Everything I know I learned from

bill-e-g wrote:

> The 32F bag should be just fine.

Maybe in the Valley. But the higher campgrounds can get down into the 20's some nights.

20's some nights... ok.. fine... but not commonplace...

Use my 35F bag last year (yes, I have too much gear) from
Tuolumne Meadows to Kings Canyon... in Sept... much higher elevation
than his trip route... and never slept in a tent..

Just think his MONSTER > 3 pounder synthetic is way overkill.
Bring some fleece and put that on and sleep in it if need be since
going to want to have it anyway.

Have a good one.

Wayne,

Here is the NOAA forecast at 10k for the region where you will be hiking:
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=REV&llon=-119.741247&rlon=-117.738747&tlat=39.077084&blat=37.077084&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=47&map.y=139

Thanks for the info gents.

I think the 32F is the winner. It goes against my conservative nature, but doing it anyway.

See you all in a couple of weeks!

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holz

I've been happy with a 40F bag for that route at that time of year more than once. If it gets too cold just put all your clothes on. A light fleece top and bottom should do it though.

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Old Dude

There's a difference between comfort level and "stayin' alive" ratings. I've seen a Coleman temperature chart of sleeping bag ratings, and there was a "comfort zone" that was above the minimum rating.

Last year I made it out alive with a 40 deg F bag where overnight temps were somewhere around 38 deg F. I wore poly underwear/socks and a wool beanie cap while I slept. Keeping the head warm can really, really help.

I tried out my backpacking bag along with a cheapo car camping bag before I set out on my backpacking trip. I took it to a campground in Tahoe where overnight temps were around 40 deg F around Memorial Day. I might have been comfortable with the 30 deg bag when it got to around 40 deg, but when it warmed up to 50 deg in the morning I on the verge of sweating. With the 40 deg bag I felt a bit chilly but not too bad, but it felt better as the temps rose in the morning. I guess if you have a zipper you might be able to regulate it in the morning. My backpacking bag was actually zipperless.



Post Edited (07-16-08 11:21)

Just for fun:
Spent 3 nights around 10K July18,19,20. 35 deg bag.
Woke up sweating the first night.
Second night had heavy duty fleece top on. No bag used on torso.
Third night. light weight long johns and top. Bag as blanket.
Never zipped the bag up.
Wife used 15 deg bag and was happy. I would have been sweating BIG TIME all 3 nights.

Like I said, just for fun. Do what you are comfortable with. Just leave your gun at home.

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Everything I know I learned from