You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
He’s away next week and the temperature is set to drop to near freezing so his 5degree bag wont cut it I fear. We are all pretty allergic to feathers n stuff so I’ll avoid down. I’m looking at Alpkit obvs, anything else for -1 temps around 100 quid, will be a three day hike so needs to be light.
I know, cheap, light, warm pick two...
That Alpkit.
Vango Ultralight.
either get close to freezing.
What kipmat? That often makes as much difference as next warmer bag.
does he have socks, thermals and light fleece to wear as pj's?
Using a foil blanket as tent protector adds a couple of *c.
I've just trained a few today, a few I have suggested they take a fleece blanket also.
Do remember they are probably three up, sealed in a Vango Halo, so probably warmer than it seems by 2-5*c
Edit: you're not in Dunblane and one of my gang are you...?
Matt, thanks for the reply, he’s got a Decathlon self inflating jobbie.
what about this bad boy:
Ha, no Devon.
I was thinking of base layers for sleeping in including some thin gloves and socks.
ME make great bags - I would have a very high level of trust in thier temp ratings.
My old down ME is brilliant, if a tad snug, and is finally loosing warmth over 20 years...
I'm still using an ancient vango exodus 300 synthetic bag that I started out using at scouts.
iirc it's comfort down to 0 and limit of -5 so very similar to this one
I'm amazed it's lasted as well as it has to be honest, although adding a microfleece liner has stopped me wearing it out, and made it warm enough to be comfy at -4...
How about a fleece bag liner and a set of thermals. Thats how i boost the rating on my stuff. has the advantage of keeping the inside of the main bag clean and if you need a waz in the night you dont freeze your bits off so much in thermals.
Was in Aldi yestersday and they had these down ones which pack up small, looked good: https://www.aldi.co.uk/crane-down-filled-sleeping-bag/p/081656189838300?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInoOYoZmI2gIVCrcbCh2UpgVkEAQYASABEgKkdfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKCC4aSZiNoCFZOG7QodP58HLg
This with a decent mat, wearing thermals, socks, beanie type hat, and getting the middle spot in tent, be fine
^ That Crane is 2 season, probably optimistic at that. I've a cheap down bag, says to 0*c on it.
i wore fleece and thermals in it last year and was shivering at 5-8*c overnight....
I had a look at those crane ones, if it was me I might risk it, but for the lad I don’t think so. Don’t want to ruin the trip.
My lad used the Vango Ultralight. Foil blanket under and thermals for pyjamas. Has done him several DofE and Scout nights out in the last 12 months, including below 0°
Matt, thanks for the reply, he’s got a Decathlon self inflating jobbie.
If you have the chance, id be going back to decathlon... Forclaz 500 could do the job:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-trek-sleeping-bag-0-ora-id_8504933.html
(Another dad with a son on dofe 3 day next week!)
Snugpak all the way, I’m out next weekend and won’t have a tent and use a snugpak, great bits of kit.
I’ve gone for the Mountain Equipment one.
thanks all
However, any other advice on what to take/not to take will be welcome ta.
However, any other advice on what to take/not to take will be welcome ta.
Sounds like you have the right idea...base layer, insulation layer and shell is fine for walking. An extra layer for when making camp/ cooking useful since body temp will drop with reduced activity. If temperatures are going to drop then make sure they know to get in bags and tents rather than playing poker in sub-zero conditions as we did in DoE days...Wear base layers to sleep and also wear socks since feet can still get pretty cold.
Hairdryers are not, I believe, required equipment for any level of DoE, which doesn't mean I haven't seen them coming out of rucksacks on DoeE expeditions before....
Don't take 17 cans of red bull (was found in the DofE bronze participants backpack before they set off)
What about food: flapjacks, nuts, the usual, but should I stick some gels in there in case he needs a boost or are they too spikey in their energy delivery?
Jkomo - why are you working this stuff out for him? Doe is meant to instill independence in them. 3 day = silver so presumably he’s already done Bronze and Bronze practice. This should be fairly second nature, and food etc should have been widely discussed at the training session.
its one thing to be involved in the kit purchase which you are funding (although it’s quite late - id have expected their supervisor to be concerned if a week to go someone didn’t have something as fundamental as a sleeping bag), another to be doing all the other prep. As far as the sleeping bag goes it is a doe right of passage to carry a massive, heavy, pack and the sleeping bag is an easy part of this that actually brings some benefit! If he has lacked lighter/smarter than everyone else he will probably end up carrying more of the shared kit so isn’t necessarily any better off!
poly, he didn’t do either bronze or silver because in his bronze year he had a major operation on his mouth, and last year he had a big knee op to replace his ACL.
I just wanted some opinions that’s all, we have camped a bit but we aren’t experts, we’ve walked Snowdon and Ben Lomond, but that’s about it.
I also like having nice kit so most of it is mine anyway, and I wasn’t expecting near freezing conditions in April so the bag I had lined up isn’t good enough.
I was worried he’d end up carrying his mates shit if his is nice and light.
Don’t take 17 cans of red bull (was found in the DofE bronze participants backpack before they set off)
Or all 3 Lord of the Rings books
Or a 2kg of pasta (each, so a group of 3 had 6kg)
Or 1kg of Dolmio. In a glass jar.
(but I think 17 cans of RedBull wins the daftest prize).
Biggest warmth factor is a decent warm meal before going to sleep - makes a huge difference.
Maybe pack a few extra cup-a-soups so he can have an extra warm drink before hitting the sack. Alcohol makes you colder, so dissuade them from carrying any if you can (probably pointless with teenagers).
As for shivering through the night, done it many times back packing when miss-judged the temps and it never did me any harm!
Or all 3 Lord of the Rings books
Or a 2kg of pasta (each, so a group of 3 had 6kg)
Or 1kg of Dolmio. In a glass jar.
(but I think 17 cans of RedBull wins the daftest prize).
Nah, the half cooked pile of sausages and bacon for the whole team, left in plastic tub in rucksack for 20 hours on a hot June day... Caring mother clearly trying to [s]spoil[/s] kill her son...
A couple of weather sites are suggesting -5 for our silver group around Dalwhinnie and 7cm of snow for Bronze group in Trossachs on Sunday night.
Budget for a half-decent, compact mat as well. I seem to recall we paid about £40/£50 for a Mountain Equipment self-inflator. I’ve used it since numerous times and worth its weight in gold.
Nice light, insulated sleeping mat here:
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/oex-fulcrum-ev-self-inflating-sleeping-mat-p360871
Tiny pack size, comfy (even with my ample fame), and seems well-made.
Can't comment on the efficacy of the insulation having only used mine in summer!
Thanks for the input everyone.
We’ve got a good Decathlon mat, food is the next thing to sort.
Correction it’s the Brecon Beacons! See what great communication we have!
Update, the Mountain Equipment bag is here, it’s quite light for a synthetic bag at 1300g but it is pretty bulky.
It is a good shape for my son who is quite slim, but it is too snug for my top half, in the width. This is a shame but if we go away, the wife will probably take the best bag so it’s fine I guess.
Replace the stuff sack with a compression sack?