Any ideas for sleeping bags? I’m thinking about getting a 20* but hoping it wont’ be too hot in the summer and will keep me warm enough in the beginning. And I’m definately thinking of going for down rather than synthetic.
And as far as hiking poles, I tried out Leki’s new lightweight titanium poles this weekend and they were incredible. Any ideas/suggestions?
hippie hiker chic
How much are you wanting to spend on a bag? sierratradingpost.com sometimes has some good deals. Here is one bag by Marmot although I didn’t see if it was down or synthetic. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.79196/str_base_no.79024,79195,79196,79238,79239,79240,79241,79242,79252,79253,79254,79255,79259,79352,79355,79362,79369,79370,79426,79433,/header_title./page_name.prod_list_display.asp/search_type.L2~319/size1./size2./gender.0/ShowImages.yes/sq.0/cont.1/sqlSearchStr./intPgNo.1/special_type./qx/product.asp
I used the Marmot Helium on my hike but wouldn’t recommend it. I have heard the Hydrogen is suppose to be a good bag. A couple of good companies to look at as well is Western Mountaineering (expensive!) and Moonstone.
I was able to pick up the Leki Malaku PA (Postive Angle on handles) Titanium Ultralites for $70 on REIoutlet.com I wouldn’t worry too much about antishock since it is just another thing that can break. If you fail to find poles that suit you before you leave then don’t sweat it. There are plenty of sticks out there in the woods that do just as fine of a job as poles.
Also before purchasing gear it is good to see how well it is rated over at www.outdoorreview.com
Ganj
I’d get a down bag. If I had it to do over again, I’d have used my 25 deg. Feathered Friends bag early on, and then switched to a down comforter or similar during the summer.
For poles, I prefer ones with cork handles and with no shock-springs.
Colter
When I was researching out my pole purchase, it was said that cork handles are more comfortable. I found them to be quite comfortable.
Colter
just sleep on top of it in the summer.
I’d go for a 20*, and sleep in long johns if it goes below 15.
Scamp
Scamp
For real cold weather I use a homemade quilt inside a Feathered Friends Great Auk 25* bag. When it warms up to just cold, I lose the quilt. In the summer I lose the Great Auk.
Works Good.
Wobbly
I started with Leki Super Makalu Titanium Light poles, vintage 2001, on my fall 2002 AT hike from Katahdin to New York, but they were just too fragile for the AT in Northern New England, which is really rugged. The “pistol” grips were torn, the grip latch cracked, and both poles bent after 250 miles or so.
I replaced them with the Leki Super Makalu Cor-tec PA poles (the 2002 model), which were a bit heavier but felt more substantial and definitely held up better. I had no problem getting used to the cork grip or the anti-shock feature. I did bend one of these poles by falling on it, but the first Leki dealer I found (the AMC store at Pinkham Notch) replaced the bent section free of charge, with no questions asked. (The Leki guarantee is worth something.) The Super Makalu Cor-tec PA was very popular on the trail, and I think deservedly so.
My bag was a REI Sub-Kilo down bag, which weighed just a hair over 2 pounds and was rated down to 20*. It was way too warm in summer temperatures but I just unzipped it and used it like a comforter over my pad. It kept me warm down to 20*, which I saw a couple of times near the end of my trip in November. Just keep it dry is all.
Snowbird
Snowbird
Funny you mentioned the Whites and Makalu Ti. I carried these poles from NJ-ME. I took a spill crossing Mt Washington and tore the fabric on my hand strap. Leki sent me a new pair free. On the same day I took a fall going down Madison in the dark and bent one pole. But I know that I can get it fixed as well whenever I get around to it.
Ganj