Bag for Montana, early September.

krojemann

WKR
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
315
Hopefully my question is pretty easy. Do yous with first hand experience think a 30° down bag will be warm enough when hunting Montana the first week of September? 6k-8k elevation? Thanks
 
That will be plenty. I was out in September and late October with a homemade quilt and an Exped Synmat UL9. My quilt is rated for 20-30 degrees.
 
Really depends if you are a warm or cold sleeper. I find that high exertion hunts sap my ability to sleep warm no matter what I eat it seems. I was using a 20 degree Western Mt bag and just upgraded to a new high loft 15 degree quilt style. I was cold last year on a pretty warm elk hunt in same conditions you describe. Personally I would say you might be a little light. We saw snow 2 years ago the 15th. You can always vent a bag but a shiver night and poor sleep sucks and impacts your "edge" for the next day.
 
If you have a 30F already I'd say use that. If you are planning a purchase, I'd go to 15F or 20F. Typically it gets down in to the upper 20's-upper 30's IME at that elevation but snow and temps into the teens is possible.
 
I use a 30F quilt all through September, in MT at elevation. When it dips below freezing I just put more layers on and wear a puffy to bed.


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I pack a 0* bag. Had a WM and sold it for a Kifaru Slick. For a few ounces I'd rather not be cold. I used to pack a 25* but I got cold pretty regularly and the 0* keeps me comfortable when it is cold and wet and if it gets too hot I just unzip.
 
Like others have said, it depends on whether you sleep cold or hot. I sleep cold and pack a 15 degree Marmot for everything. Last year on opening weekend I spent the entire day in snow at 8k+ with temps in the 20's
 
If you have a 30F already I'd say use that. If you are planning a purchase, I'd go to 15F or 20F. Typically it gets down in to the upper 20's-upper 30's IME at that elevation but snow and temps into the teens is possible.

What this guy said
 
Or put a liner inside the bag. Weighs a few oz, adds some warmth,and is easier to clean a liner than the whole bag.
 
Thanks everyone. I already have the bag, so I was hoping to make it work. It's a Mont-bell spiral down bag. I just really like it's pack size. My pad is around 5 R-value.

Or put a liner inside the bag. Weighs a few oz, adds some warmth,and is easier to clean a liner than the whole bag.
I never thought of a liner. How much warm can you get from a liner? An extra 10°? I'll have to look into them, in not real familiar with them. Thanks
 
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