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startledst
I usually go to the Grand Canyon in April. I borrow a sleeping bag every year, but I'm thinking about buying one now. Any suggestions?
Answer
There is a big difference between backpacking sleeping bags and general purpose 'car camping' bags, so you will want to go with a store and brand that specializes in backpacking.
Aside from comfort and warmth, as a backpacker you will want to consider weight, how small it compresses and how water resistant it is. The big divide right now is between synthetic and down bags. Synthetic bags are generally cheaper and will keep you warm even when wet. Down bags are warmer and compress better, but usually cost more and need to be kept dry (today most come with water-resistant outer shells which work to varying degrees).
Whatever bag you get, my experience is that the bag rating (the temperature to which it is effective) is generally a bit on the optomistic side and I would give yourself an extra 5-10 degrees to be safe (ie: if the coldest temp you expect while camping is 35 degrees, I would get a bag rated to 25 degrees).
I am currently using a Marmot Helium which I highly recommend - it is rated to 15 degrees, compresses smaller than a loaf of bread and weighs less than 2 pounds. It is one of the best backpacking bags out there, but also one of the most expensive at $300+.
For many years, I used a Sierra 'Wild Bill' synthetic bag ('Rosa' is the female model) which was quite comfortable and useable and cost about $100. Other good and well respected brands to consider are REI, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware.
See the websites below and even go to a store and try a few to see how they fill. I would recommend going to a store that is dedicated to backpacking and hiking as opposed to general recreation or hunting and fishing (which will probably have more heavy bags). REI is a great place to go and their people can give you good advice as well (many are avid backpackers). REI stores are located in most large western cities (there are two in the Phoenix area).
A few other notes... you will probably want to get some sort of air mattress. Therma-rest makes some pretty comfy pads specifically for backpacking that pack down pretty light and tight. You can also buy a little cloth sling for them which turn them into a comfortable seat (with back support) for sitting around camp. Note too that Backpacker magazine typically comes out with their big yearly gear guide in early spring and will have some good recommendations too.
There is a big difference between backpacking sleeping bags and general purpose 'car camping' bags, so you will want to go with a store and brand that specializes in backpacking.
Aside from comfort and warmth, as a backpacker you will want to consider weight, how small it compresses and how water resistant it is. The big divide right now is between synthetic and down bags. Synthetic bags are generally cheaper and will keep you warm even when wet. Down bags are warmer and compress better, but usually cost more and need to be kept dry (today most come with water-resistant outer shells which work to varying degrees).
Whatever bag you get, my experience is that the bag rating (the temperature to which it is effective) is generally a bit on the optomistic side and I would give yourself an extra 5-10 degrees to be safe (ie: if the coldest temp you expect while camping is 35 degrees, I would get a bag rated to 25 degrees).
I am currently using a Marmot Helium which I highly recommend - it is rated to 15 degrees, compresses smaller than a loaf of bread and weighs less than 2 pounds. It is one of the best backpacking bags out there, but also one of the most expensive at $300+.
For many years, I used a Sierra 'Wild Bill' synthetic bag ('Rosa' is the female model) which was quite comfortable and useable and cost about $100. Other good and well respected brands to consider are REI, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware.
See the websites below and even go to a store and try a few to see how they fill. I would recommend going to a store that is dedicated to backpacking and hiking as opposed to general recreation or hunting and fishing (which will probably have more heavy bags). REI is a great place to go and their people can give you good advice as well (many are avid backpackers). REI stores are located in most large western cities (there are two in the Phoenix area).
A few other notes... you will probably want to get some sort of air mattress. Therma-rest makes some pretty comfy pads specifically for backpacking that pack down pretty light and tight. You can also buy a little cloth sling for them which turn them into a comfortable seat (with back support) for sitting around camp. Note too that Backpacker magazine typically comes out with their big yearly gear guide in early spring and will have some good recommendations too.
When and how did you get started in mountaineering?
11UN
Be it, mountaineering as an interest or as a career.
Answer
I had always been fascinated my mountains and climbing them. I grew up in the 1950's when all of the world's highest peaks were being first climbed and used to read about the expeditions in the National Geographic. My dad noticed my interest and gave me a lot of books on those adventures, like "Annapurna", "Mountain of Storms", "High in the Thin Cold Air" and "The Ascent of Everest." We always camped and hiked while I was a child and I continued doing that through high school and into college but always thought I would like to climb as well.
When I was 22, a local outdoor club offered a 4 month rock climbing school on Saturdays for $25 so I signed up. After that I took their winter mountaineering and ice climbing school and started regularly backpacking and climbing just in my local area. Then I went on weeklong vacation trips out of state to more mountainous regions like the Tetons and Rockies (US and Canada). I liked mountaineering so much that I quit my lab tech job when I was 26 and worked for 4 years for an outfitter, selling the gear and acting as a guide and instructor on trips. It was fun for a while but you don't make a lot of money and eventually I got tired of working weekends and not having the freedom to do my own trips so I got out of the business and into a career that allowed me weekends off, good vacations and enough income that I could travel to the mountains I enjoyed. I just turned 60 this year and still enjoy being in the high peaks -- it has kept me healthy and strong.
On the down side, I have lost several friends, all outstanding climbers, to death in mountaineering accidents. But I know that they died doing something they absolutely loved so my sorrow at their passing is somewhat eased by that.
I had always been fascinated my mountains and climbing them. I grew up in the 1950's when all of the world's highest peaks were being first climbed and used to read about the expeditions in the National Geographic. My dad noticed my interest and gave me a lot of books on those adventures, like "Annapurna", "Mountain of Storms", "High in the Thin Cold Air" and "The Ascent of Everest." We always camped and hiked while I was a child and I continued doing that through high school and into college but always thought I would like to climb as well.
When I was 22, a local outdoor club offered a 4 month rock climbing school on Saturdays for $25 so I signed up. After that I took their winter mountaineering and ice climbing school and started regularly backpacking and climbing just in my local area. Then I went on weeklong vacation trips out of state to more mountainous regions like the Tetons and Rockies (US and Canada). I liked mountaineering so much that I quit my lab tech job when I was 26 and worked for 4 years for an outfitter, selling the gear and acting as a guide and instructor on trips. It was fun for a while but you don't make a lot of money and eventually I got tired of working weekends and not having the freedom to do my own trips so I got out of the business and into a career that allowed me weekends off, good vacations and enough income that I could travel to the mountains I enjoyed. I just turned 60 this year and still enjoy being in the high peaks -- it has kept me healthy and strong.
On the down side, I have lost several friends, all outstanding climbers, to death in mountaineering accidents. But I know that they died doing something they absolutely loved so my sorrow at their passing is somewhat eased by that.
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Title Post: How can I find a good sleeping bag?
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