High-Altitude Warmth Is In The Bag
Q. I have a question that may seem easy to you, but I don’t know the answer so I must ask it. I presently own a Marmot Col, and am planning an attempt on Denali in the summer. I don’t think this will be warm enough if the weather turns, so I was planning on investing in an overbag. I don’t really want to spend the money on a -40 bag when it is so close to the rating of my Col.
Is there a good overbag out there?
Preferably one that will add 20 degrees of warmth or so. Thank you very much.
Darren e-mail:drkst10@pitt.edu
Gear Guy: Of course it’s easy for me. I am, after all, the Gear Guy.
You’re right about the temperature margin with the Col.
I’m inclined to say you’ll be fine, given the bag’s -15 to -25 rating. But at 17,000 feet, you’re apt to be within that range and possibly below it.
What to do? For starters, I’d certainly take a vapor barrier liner.
Several makes out there; Black Diamond’s goes for about $22.
Properly used, these will add about 10 degrees to your bag’s rating. The down side is that they work by reducing evaporation from your body, trapping it instead inside the liner. So when you get out of the bag your clothes are apt to be a little damp, which could make for some chilly moments. Carrying extra long underwear will be a must. Also, make sure you’ve got good sleeping pads. Take at least two - an inflatable pad such as a Therm-a-Rest, and a closed-cell foam pad such as a Cascade Designs’ Z-Rest.
As for liners, the most promising one I can come up with is the Mountain Hardwear Upgrade system. These zip into any bag with a No. 8 zipper (the most common type; I’m pretty sure that’s what the Col uses). The beauty of these things is that they have a double zipper that adds 2 inches to the bag’s circumference, so you’re not stuffing both yourself and the liner in a space made just for yourself.
The Upgrades come in Polarguard and down, and are claimed to add 20 degrees (Polarguard) or 25 (down) to your bag’s existing rating.
Probably more like 10-15 degrees when it gets as cold as it can on Denali but still a worthwhile addition. The Polarguard version is $110, the down one $145.
Hope you have a good trip!
Q. Can you give me some pointers on trekking poles? My daughter wishes some for her hikes around Arizona, Canyonlands, etc. She mentions Leki, but which ones?
Dick Wood e-mail:ab904@osfn.rhilinet.gov
Gear Guy: Glad to offer some pointers. Lots of good poles out there and Leki poles are among the best. I’d suggest their Absorber pole ($120 a pair), which has an anti-shock shaft, or the Super Trekker ($114 a pair), a very sturdy three-section pole that probably sets the standard. These are both the Leki Swiss poles - there’s a German-made Leki as well, which makes a good pole called the Super Makalu ($114 a pair). I think the Swiss ones have a little better internal grips, but that’s a matter for debate. For a more economical solution, look into REI’s Trekking Poles ($60 a pair).
xxxx