Monday 22 February 2010

Next trip

On the 20th of March, Martyn's wife goes away to Brazil, so we're headed off up to the Lakes. I'm letting Martyn organise the location due to my typically poor choices for first night accomodation! With conditions how they are at the moment, I'm hoping for another chance to use the crampons- let's hope it stays cold! Whatever happens I'm going to be trying out my idea for a lighter sleep system. The concept goes: PHD minim ultra bag- theoretically good down to 7, GG nightlight torso or neo-air on a cold weather ccf full length mummy cut mat inside a Ti goat bivy under a Gatewood cape. Inside I'd be wearing merino baselayer, micro fleece mid, Down hood, PHD minim ultra vest, patagonia down sweater, my hiking trousers, down inner trousers, thin socks and Goosefeet down socks. Using these instead of my two sleeping bag system means I can fit everything inside the Murmur pack- the total weight savings knocks a kilogram off my baseweight. Using the Gatewood instead of the Laser competition is another 600g saving. I'm a warm sleeper so I'm hoping this works out. I never sleep right through anyway so it's worth a shot. I can always stick my other sleeping bag in the car and hike back if I freeze on the first night!

6 comments:

Mac E said...

Thats a very versatile sleeping system, I'll be interested in hearing how it works out.

Goosefeet down socks? I haven't heard of them.

minimalgear said...

goosefeet is one of the backpacking light members who has expanded a myog project into a business-they're similar to the phd socks but cheaper!

Mac E said...

I done a Yahoo search and found them, they look good indeed, in fact a pair in large with the overboots are only 26g more than the Minimus socks.

I'll be ordering come payday :-)

PhilW said...

Interesting to look at the Goosefeet website. Do look similar to PHD and on the face of it cheaper - but imagine it depends upon whether you get stung by customs, VAT & handling.

Did you get the standard version or go for the extra down?

Roger said...

The goosefeet sounds super! The last years I have problems with cold feet during sleep.
Looks like a splendid setup. Will be interestng to have your report...
What temperature do you expect?
Roger

minimalgear said...

I got the 'feet' as a standard option with no extra down- I run pretty warm so should be okay. I had a good look around- the exped booties were the only other option although much heavier- I don't know about ordering from Australia so didn't go for the Sea to Summit socks. They should still work out cheapest and i like the idea of cottage industries anyway. I don't know about temperatures yet. I would like to think I could go below zero but don't know. One idea I've had floating around in my head is to use the neo-air as a quilt if temperatures really drop- I've had success in the past using my sit mat to target cold spots and the CCF can deal with ground insulation by itself. On the other hand temperatures should surely be higher by the end of march?!!