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2 Person 3 1/2 Season Sleep System

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PostedFeb 6, 2014 at 11:52 am

I'm in a bit of a pickle here and need your advice. I'm trying to complete a sleep system for my girlfriend and I that will allow us to take on all four seasons here in the Yukon. Already have a -30 bag for the winter, but need to round out the rest of the year. This summer we did a 10 day trek in Kluane National Park and got by well with our sleeping bags. I used a friends WM Summerlite and she used my old MEC Merlin -3 sleeping bag. However, I had to return my friend's sleeping bag so I have to figure out a new system for us. Your advice would be appreciated.

Option 1: Purchase a quilt for myself (I'm thinking an EE 10degree quilt) and my girlfriend can use my MEC Merlin -3 bag for herself. Getting a quilt for her is a non-option as she likes to be swaddled in a cocoon when she sleeps. I've never used a quilt before and am slightly concerned because I am a twisting, turning, flailing sleeper and even at the peak of summer we can get freezing temperatures up here. This set-up would also have limited use in shoulder seasons as we push the limits of the MEC – 3 bag even in early May and late August.

Option 2: Purchase a WM Ultralight or Versalite for her. Though slightly heavy for summer use, she can be a cold sleeper and this would ensure she's comfortable from at least May to September. The added benefit of this approach is that I could use this sleeping bag for early spring/late fall hikes or hunts when she does not come along.

I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now, despite the increased weight. What do you guys/gals think?

Dena Kelley BPL Member
PostedFeb 6, 2014 at 2:10 pm

I'm a woman living in Alaska- currently my summer bag is a WM Versalite because what we call summer here in Alaska (and, I imagine, in the Yukon) can have wildly swinging temperatures up to 90°F in the day (rare in my area but it did happen for a couple weeks last year) – more commonly our highs are about 70°F and dropping as low as freezing at night particularly in the mountains. I have made the choice that I'd rather carry an extra pound and be sure of being warm at night (I can always unzip it, use it as a quilt, or lay on top of it if it's warm) than to deal with freezing my butt off all night ensuring I will get no sleep. I have thyroid disease so I am a cold sleeper, the extra buffer I get with the Versalite is worth it.

I am seriously looking at the ZPacks 20 degree bag, however. It's hoodless, but it's 17oz for a 20 deg bag and that sounds like an amazing win-win for me. Light, compressible and warm. I already have ZPack's down hood for when it's cold. That would allow a weight savings over the Versalite of nearly a pound. You might look at that also.

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