Temperatures at higher elevations

[markskor]

Hobbes writes: "The other issue, of course, is dew/condensation/rain, which practically dictates that you need to carry a 2-ply tent if going in with a down bag, rather than something UL like a silnylon tarp."

What?

Maybe just confused (again...so what else is new?)...
Carry a WM Badger (down) and a TT Rainbow -(1-ply silnylon), prefer going solo and often off trail, usually Sierra, high and deep - always fishing. Been doing this for 30+ years with 40 - 50+ bag-nights a year, (often more too)...
and the only thing "dictated" is that I am getting older...Death and taxes.

Guess, according to you and Ray Jardine, must have been lucky all this time?
Mark

[oldranger]

Hobbes,

Like Markskor I to travel mostly solo, mostly off trail and use down bag (WM Alpinlite, I'm not as big as Mark) and singlewall Contrail. Have experienced multiple consecutive days of rain/snow and bag has stayed dried. Did get caught in nasty rainy cycle in the 80s with fiberfill bag and first generation gortex bivy. Foot of bag got pretty wet. Contrail properly set up doesn't have the same issues. As a solo hiker the safety margin is really staying within your abilities, making sound judgement concerning terrain, fords, tree crossing etc. and not taking a bite of something you cannot chew. As I get older I find myself taking smaller bites but that is better than not going or getting into trouble. I take the same clothing allotment for all trips except that late August and September I bring extra pair of light long underwear, a 100 weight fleece top, and a heavier fleece cap in addition to my standard gear. The extra long underwear and fleece top, and cap are primarily for sleeping comfort as I use my wool sweater and down vest as pillow stuffing and to wear them when I sleep would seriously impact my comfort.

Mike

[Hobbes]

Guess, according to you and Ray Jardine, must have been lucky all this time?

Trust me, no one picks syn over down because they actually prefer it. I mean, let's be truthful, there's simply no comparison. Who wants to carry something twice as heavy + twice as bulky that achieves the same thermal result?

If I had your confidence, I would have a down bag. I don't, so I don't. And please don't infer that I'm implying that you're 'over' confident. I admit I'm a wimp; a man has to know his limits, and the way mine are, I'm going with an insurance policy.