Bag Choice

[Easy]

As most you know Im a pick up a take off type a guy. Well I got $1800 cached and this seems like a good time as any for me to go and start my hike. I started last year on February 15th with a 20 degree bag and was fine except for maybe 3 nights out of 45. However im considering a 0 bag to head out this year since I would like to be on the trail Sunday or Monday and im wondering if the weather in Georgia is going to be much different in mid January than in mid February. What degrre bag would most you carry at this time of year in January ....... please be honest I'd rather be uncomfortable 2 or 3 nights with out freezing than spend more money on a bag.

[Waterbuffalo]

Easy I would go ahead and go with a 0 deg if you dont mind a 3lb bag try the REI Synthetic 0deg I thnk it's called a polar pod3D.


WB

[steve hiker]

Did you have a bag liner last year? Might be the best way to go since they're cheap and light and add an extra 10 to 20 degrees for the coldest nights.

[smokymtnsteve]

I did the Ga trail south bound back in Feb 2000...had some temps down into the low teens..wet and cold ..as the trail is desserted at that time of year I saw few other hikers and mainly had the shelters to myself..one other guy at blue mtn shelter and the no one else until hawk mtn...after leaving hawk and heading south up springer there was ice falling out of the sky, not snow but sleet..got to springer shelter and it was a coming a howling blow...left springer and dropped down to black gap shelter..and found a guy there in the second stage of hypothermia(started a fire and made him some hot tea and honey and some warm food he got better and he had the fire going in the morning when I got up)...so be careful. stopped by the len foote hike Inn and got a shower and some hot food on the way out(and the wood stoves were nice)...Josh was the cook there then..he is now working for Mountain crossing at Neel's gap or he was when I went through there this past fall

I carried a tarp and I also had one of those $20 fleece sleeping bags like you buy at k-mart/target/walmart.. this the only type of bag I ever carry...I get into it with my wool long johns and fleece pants,jacket and wear my hat ..fleece socks...(i call it fleece cocoon)at blue mtn and tray mtn where the wind and mist is bad about blowing in the shelter I used the tarp inside the shelter for addtional cover..

I sleep pretty warm and this system may not work for you...I also make myself a late supper and put a good shot of olive oil in it to create extra body heat ...

[SGT Rock]

That olive oil is a good trick. Turns the body furnace on before going to bed.

[Easy]

I survived March 1st las year at 2- (two under) at plum orchard. Im just concerned if there is going to be alot of days like that starting earlier. By the way who feels like or can pick me up in Atlanta , im thinking now on leaving here Thursday and getting into Atlanta Friday and going to the Ruck.

[smokymtnsteve]

The weather is always unpredictable ....I'm thinking of leaveing maybe friday or sat myself ...i live in atlanta e-mail me at

smokymtnsteve@yahoo.com

I might be heading up or we maybe could share a shuttle

[pobbie]

I live in SD and camp in ALL weather. I know the light weight of down is appealing, but if a down bag gets wet it is pretty much useless to you. Go with a good synthetic like polargaurd and it will still be light. I am also looking into a sleeping bag (I have a -20* army sleeping bag and a wally world issue 32* sleeping bag looking for something in between.)