High Sierra Topix

Hi Duane. One question; did you find yourself needing to add air to your NeoAir as the evening temps dropped, or did it hold pretty steady? I'm curious if that's something to expect in winter conditions as well.

Merry Christmas young man! The only air the pad got was from the initial airing up when I set camp up. Of course it shrank some due to the air cooling off, but I did not notice it shrinking anymore after the air stabilized or it was not noticeable. I have in the past let air our until I was about to touch the ground with a shoulder or hip, I did not this time. Just trying something out, surprisingly, my shoulders and hips felt fine for once, nothing under my feet to compensate for the 3/4 length NeoAir. More testing New Year's at Dewey Point for a couple nights, weather permitting.

Thanks HD for the updates!

I was able to get three more nights in on my pad, using the 1/2" thick, full length, blue, closed cell pad under it.. Two more of the NorCal Hikers had them also, Paige got a leak in hers Thursday night, because she had to air hers up three times Friday night. She believes she snagged something in the back of her bf's truck. After airing mine up Friday afternoon, by Saturday morning it looked pretty pathetic. I left it as it was for testing. This morning, I rolled it up about two rows and that firmed the pad up, so my hot air lost less than 10% of its volume. I slept very warm two out of the three nights, New Year's Eve, I was on frozen ground and slept great after going to bed before 1. Friday night, I slept a little cooler but was fine, temps were only in the mid 20's, but I think I was not hydrated very well. Saturday night, I was loaded for bear and was very warm, plus the temp this morning at 6:45, was only 29. I was using my 5 degree bag. Although I slept warm, this morning packing up, I noticed the snow under where I had laid was melted and had a light depression, so my light set up did not work super great, but was fine with me. How ofter do you spent two nights out at the same spot winter camping?

I know over on TT, that there are a few doubters regarding the NeoAir about taking cold temps and I am sure they never would have dreamed of using it in the conditions I have used mine the last five months.

We had 15 of our small group bp out to Dewey Point and spend at least one night there, 9 of us stayed two nights, of those, seven of us headed towards Taft Point Saturday morning about 10:30 and five of that group went to an area close by there. Quite a snowshoe workout from Dewey Point, breaking trail. Funny, the two younger guys just about brought up the rear and us two older guys got back to camp first.

hikerduane wrote:Funny, the two younger guys just about brought up the rear and us two older guys got back to camp first.

You? Whoopin' younger fellas like myself?? Pfft..I don't believe it..

Glad you guys had a good time. Sorry to hear Paige's NeoAir sprung a leak. Hope it's a patchable hole.

You need to visit more often, so close for you on the Yosemite trips, but then they all tend to take lots of pics.

how do you guys who have one store this? mines folded in 3's. not like a thermarest you can shove under the bed.

I just fold mine up and leave it in my pack. That way I know where to find it!

hikerduane wrote:You need to visit more often, so close for you on the Yosemite trips, but then they all tend to take lots of pics.

Yep. You're right. New Year's Eve is always going to be a tough one for me though. Maybe we should organize a similar trip with HST peeps this month or next. I'd even entertain the idea of some East Side locales for something like that.

I fold mine in thirds, stuff in a Granite Gear sack to protect it. Rolled up first then folded to avoid the sharp folds, weakening the material possible.

I have had my share of trips to Yosemite, long trip over 88. If Tioga Pass was open it would be ok. New Year's Eve it took seven hours to get to Wawona CG, tried 49 from Jackson south. 49 disappeared on me, somewhere in Mariposa, I was going to go into Oakhurst then to Wawona. Ended up taking heading east out of Mariposa. That is not the fast way. It took less than six hours from Badger Pass, coming back going 120 to Sonora, then 49 to Jackson to 88 east. Long drive to the east side for the gang here. Even with SlowNymph a few years ago, only five of us went up to Mosquito Flat. Sure miss seeing her.

We're meeting in 10 days in Lassen to car camp.