UKC

Morning,

Planning for the Alps next year already! Looking at going August/September time and some of the routes require a bivy in the mountains.

What bag would people recommended? I want something really warm and light. I feel the cold so the warm part is crucial

So far ive been recommended the Rab Ascent 700, Marmot Sawtooth or Robens Downlite 700.

Any person experience of these or advice would be much appreciated.

Si

In reply to ojp: I have rab alpine 600, well worth the investment pretty toasty when alpineing on col de midi this sept

In reply to ojp:

Remember that you will be fully clothed and likely to have a bivvy bag as well so you may be able to go lighter than you think. Are the bivvies going to be on snow/ice or on rock? What sort of altitude would the bivvies be at? A bivvy high on something like the Jorasses is somewhat different to one beside a hut.

ALC

In reply to ojp: got a rab alpine summit 400, found it FAR too warm this summer ! going for a lighter bag next summer.

Pete.

In reply to ojp: Cheers Gents. Ill have to find out the height and bivy situation. What bivy bag would you recommened also?

Cheers

S

In reply to ojp:

Although not a leading mountaineering brand, was in Blacks last week, very impressed be their red technicals 400 (think that's what it was called)?

Continues baffles, 400 gram fill (700), 830 gram total weight, on sale for £60 (reduced from £119). Only thing it was missing IMHO was an internal draft collar!

I would happily use this bivvying overnight in Alps most or the year.

Stuart

In reply to ojp:

I have a Rab Summit 300 with an extra 100gms of down; it's excellent. Like you, I sleep cold but if anything, this is slightly on the warm side for what's needed in the alps. There's always a trade-off to be made between warmth and weight but for most alpine stuff the balance has to be on minimising weight. (Hence, do you really need a full-length zip, if any?) Aim for something less than 1kg overall and be prepared to put up with a bit of discomfort.

Another good thing about the Rab Summit range is that the damp-proof Endurance outer is very well worth having, especially if you get a lot condensation in your bivi bag. It would also be worth checking out the PHD range.

Remember that warmth is significantly affected by how physically tired and well-fed you are.

In reply to ojp: I have a Rab ascent 700 and used it near the Plan D,aiguille last february,I found it plenty warm enough so would think it was a bit OTT for Aug/Sept.

In reply to ojp:

thanks for the advice. Were looking at routes around Aiguille du Midi and Mont Maudit.

How cold do the temperatures drop in early september?

Cheers

S

In reply to ojp:

I have an Alpkit Pipedream 600, I've camped in it in underwear at 3500 in several degrees minus and I'm quite satisfied overall. The only slight issue is that if you leave it compressed for a while you have to beat it up slightly to get the down properly distributed in the box baffles.

In reply to ojp:

cheers for the advice, think im off to get the Rab Alpine 400.

S

In reply to ojp:

Rab ascent sounds good. I would suggest that bivvi sites are as important as the thing you're sleeping in i.e. avoid snow/ice/exposure. Sept/august is always gona be half winter half summer so watch the weather.

I've been fine at 3000ish in a lined deuter trek lite 200 +all my clothes and reliable alpkik bag. But sometimes it's just nicer to have a tent.

Oh and learning to sleep happily in a closed bivvi bag in lashing rain is always useful, though I suspect it's more a talent than a skill.

In reply to ojp: 'How cold do the temperatures drop in early september?'

I'd make sure you were comfortable to -10

Sleeping mat is just as important as sleeping bag and you can plan other clothing you will almost certainly take with you into the equation.

Sleeping bag temperature ranges are quoted assuming base layer (upper and lower) plus knee socks.

In reply to ojp:

I've got an alpine 400. it was just right for Alps in Aug/Sept this year around the midi/maudit Station (exactly what I did).

i noticed that PHD do some amazing bags that seem about 25% lighter for the same rating ..

http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?cat=91&products_id=246

or http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/product_info.php?cat=91&products_id=118

I would have bought onbe of thoses but left it too late (they are made to order). You can also customise zips and fabrics too...


or these guys for a good ultralight...

http://www.cumulus-sleepingbags.co.uk/

cheers paul at 930g im quite happy with the Alpine 400.

What did you use to sleep in/on?

Cheers

S

In reply to ojp:

initially i experimented in saving weight and used a multimat 'adventure' chopped to 3/4 length (which comes in at about 100g), but found that to be a touch chilly (we were sleeping direct on snow/ice rather than rock). so I then combined that with an alpkit wee airic, and got a system that was toasty for 3/4, or could be laid off set from each other to make full length. I also removed the back system from my bag and used the multimat in it's place... meaning in the end I got a really warm mat system at little extra weight to the wee airic on it's own.

The alpine 400 is a fine choice. great quality build and just the right features without being gimmicky.

In reply to ojp: How are the alpkit bags? I've never seen one in the flesh but the specs look good (even ignoring the price). The hood looks like it is a bit smaller than any competitor though, is that the case?

In reply to ojp: i have an alpkit sh1000, used it in the col du midi (which it sounds like you will be doing)plenty times this summer, i was never too cold, only thing is i really have to shunt down to the very bottom to get all of me in once the hood is tightened. There is a long version available though i think. Would recommend it definitely.

In reply to Hannes: I have a Pipedream 200 and a friend a 400

Amazing bags for the price...you can get better but you'll generally pay an extra 30-40% (or more) for the privilege. They don't skimp on the down...and the construction is pretty good

In reply to ojp: bags finally arrived. Packs nice and small! Cheers for the advice again

S