[Philmont]: Sleeping Bags at Philmont

  I use a down sleeping bag when I backpack and the same one has been on
three Philmont treks.

  A down bag does require a lot of extra care in making sure it does not get
wet. They are not the best for inexperienced Scouts who are forgetful.

  I prefer an external framed pack and carry the sleeping bag in a stuff
sack. I double protect my bag by lining the stuff sack with a heavy duty
garbage bag. I get as much air out of the sack and roll the garbage bag
open end, I then stuff the garbage bag pigtail back into the sack.
With the double lined sack and a good pack cover that also goes over it I
have not had any problems.

  It is also essential to air out your sleeping bag as often as possible. I
try to do this on the sunny afternoons after the camp is set up and we are
hanging around camp. Make sure to put it into the tent when you are out of
camp, rain showers come quickly.

  I too move around a lot in my sleep and I hate sleeping in a confined bag,
for this reason I have devised another method for sleeping. I sleep
directly on my Thermarest pad and cover myself with my sleeping bag, I only
get into the sleeping bag on very cold nights. I did not have get into my
bag at all on my July 2002 trek and only once at Copper Park in July 1999.
I also have a fleece cap and light gloves that I can wear on cold nights.

  Because of this sleeping method I need a full length pad instead of a
shorter one. On past treks I used a Standard Thermarest pad. Last year (
2002) I wanted to cut some pack weight, and I used a Guidelite Thermarest
with the same good results.

  Use your own judgment and experience in purchasing your sleeping bag. If
you are willing to take that extra care needed for a down bag go for it.

Chip Cenci IWTGBTP

Q: I know that everyone suggests avoiding down bags but I am curious if
there are still those out there that use down. How about hybrids? partially
down and partially synthetic?

Kevin Mineart
SM T214 West Burlington, IA
802-B3!

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Received on Fri Apr 11 13:11:12 2003