Sleep system for three day tropics (Kalalau Trail)?

[Russell Larsen]

I’m doing the Kalalau Trail on Kauai next week and not sure what to do for my sleep system.  Fairly experienced backpacker, looking to go light, but have never backpacked in the tropics.  I obviously wont bring my 20 degree quilt, but I was thinking of using a silk liner, emergency bivy sack and bringing my Melezana Microgrid hoodie.  I generally sleep a little cold.  Temps are high of 85 and low of 70.  I’m bringing the following tent/pad:

-Tarptent Protrail (not idea, but its what I have)

-NeoAir Xlite

 

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

At the end of the trail, there are a number of campsites, the closer to the ocean, the better the breeze).  The Protrail seems fine, but I would think that using a bivy would not be ideal in the tropics.  If it is too warm out there, you might find that deflating your NeoAir will keep you cooler.

BTW, if it rains you should consider bringing trekking poles, there are a couple of sections that are pretty crazy when wet.

[Russell Larsen]

Yeah, I may just bring my cheap synthetic sleeping bag and forgo the liner/emergency bivy route.

I will be bringing trekking poles for the sake of the trail and the fact that my Protrail requires them.

[Russell Larsen]

The lows were around 70 and I ended up bringing my NeoAir Xlite, silk mummy liner, light fleece blanket (~10oz) and my microgrid hoody.  This was overkill and I could have left the fleece blanket or hoody at home as the liner in conjunction with of the fleece blanket was plenty warm enough.

[Ben P]

hey Russell, I really appreciate that you came back to report on the conditions you experienced. Thanks for the info!

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