CO sleep system

[NHBacon]

Hello all, heading out to CO next year archery elk. Leaning on mid Sept. Thinking 35° bag, Big Agnes sleeping pad, possible a SOL escape bivy if needed. I would like to ho open air if possible but will be bringing a 10x10 fly if needed. My ? Is will this work? Here in NH the bugs will carry us away. The bag temp would be more than adequate here not sure about CO. I'm rambling now so any input on sleep system would be appreciated.

 

[84toyota]

My dad and I hunt the muzzleloader season every few years in Colorado. I opens the weekend after Labor Day, and overlaps part of the archery season. We set up a canvas wall tent with wood stove for a base camp at 9500 ft, and we set up a Hilleberg Nallo 3 back in the wilderness about 5 miles and 11,500 ft. as a spike camp. We will hunt out of both camps, depending on where we are finding elk. Temperatures during our hunts have dropped into the 20's, but generally are closer to 32 degrees at night or slightly above. We have received some snow (up to 6 inches) but usually just an inch or two and it melts off within the next day or so. We HAVE been in some pretty stiff rains. Our first year hunting there, we did our usual California hunting camp of using a couple of cheap blue tarps, with our sleeping bags/pads on top of contractor trash bags. We had some pretty gnarly rains, but stayed relatively dry. We did buy the Hilleberg tent for the 2nd trip, so there would never be a doubt as to whether we were prepared for a spike camp miles back in the wilderness during bad weather. All of this being said, your setup should be okay as long as your fly doesn't leak, and can withstand some snow, winds, and rain. If you were huning later in the rifle seasons, I would lean towards recommending a more substantial tarp tent or freestanding tent. Bugs have never been a problem where we hunt.
Ken

 

[TXMaverick]

I would do a 15 degree bag minimum as the comfort rating would be around 20-27 degrees. Your 35 degree bag is essentially the bottom rating of said temp. In mid September I'd be surprised if you didn't have any frost. I'd rather have a bag than I can unzip if I'm warm rather than shiver and shake wishing I had that warmer bag. Best to you in the quest for finding the bag! Advice I was given years ago was to invest in the best equipment you can in your sleep system (bag, tent, pad) as your life literally depends on it.

 

[CoHiCntry]

^^^ what he said... I'd freeze my arse off in September with a 35 degree bag. I use a 0 degree bag year round in Colorado for backpacking trips. It's cold in them mountains!

 

[Lawnboi]

I think you may be underestimating how nasty it can get in September in the mountains. Cold, can and most likly will be below freezing every night, possible snow, could very well rain every day, or it could be 80 and sunny.

Your system may work if you have the balls, I'd choose a tarp/bivy setup with a good bag that I KNOW will keep me warm down to atleast the upper 20 degree range, as well as a much more high end, and proven to me setup than your choice. And IMO if you haven't tried a tarp/bivy setup and bag combo I wouldn't bet a whole hunt half way across the country on it. For the record iv spent a good bit of nights under a para tarp/bugaboo bivy in September, in Colorado at 9000+ feet, and it's still my choice in shelter for that time of year.

If that's the setup you wanna try, I'd wait till spring, say March, April timeframe, go out in your neck of the woods for a weekend and see how you like it.

A tarp and bivy is not for everyone, and like I said I wouldn't risk my whole hunt on that kind of system if iv only worked with it on the computer or in the back yard.

 

[bowinhand]

Depends on how the weather is in a particular year and how you sleep IE warm or cold. I sleep cold and use a 10-0* bag/quilt and insulated pad. Remember, you can always make a bag/quilt cooler but it's alot harder to make it warmer.

 

[michaelc10]

Ive bow hunted colorado over 30 years I always bring at least a 0 bag and sometimes a -15 bag , alot depends on how high you hunt. Ive hunted in snow in colorado in september at around 10,500 feet . The weather can change on a dime and I would rather carry an extra pound of weight to make sure I stay warm and get a good nights sleep.i can always unzip them and use them as a quilt if the weather is nice. I tried bivy and tarp setups, but I still like some enclosure. Just helps me sleep better. Ive used single man ultralight tent setups most of the time . This year bought a megatarp, tons of room for 1 man , fully enclosed with annex, and still ultralight.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I generally carry a 15 or 20degr bag during archery season. I don't think I am either a cold or hot sleeper...definitely not a hot sleeper.

 

[LandYacht]

10 degree bag will make you smile when it snows.

 

[dotman]

0* quilt, used to use a 20* bag. With the quilt it is very easy to vent or cool off if too warm but also have an oven to sleep under.

The quilt setup REQUIRES and good pad.

 

[Manosteel]

Difinetly check out the threads on Quilts on here. I went quilt this year and will never go back to a bag. Get a 10 or 0 degree quilt and never worry about being cold when the temps drop and regulating your heat is as easy as sticking out a leg or foot.

 

[Violent Hippie]

I too would use a warmer bag . I use a 0 or 20 degree bag in the western mountains above 7000 ft year round if I dont want to suffer. You could survive with a 35 degree bag and MAY be comfy BUT in my experience its a gamble. The bivy tarp combo with a warmer bag should be fine.

 

[NHBacon]

Easy peasy guys I have a 0° bag already. I've already spent plenty of nights under the stars here on My. Washington. She can be a wicked Bitch when she wants to be. I was more or less checking on bugs and if a tarp was a viable option. I'm really hoping to spend a few nights with out the tarp. We shall see tho. Thank you all for the input.

 

[KMT]

Bugs, just like weather, are unpredictable. Two years ago, mosquitos were eating my alive during the first and second weeks. This year, they were only bad on the first weekend. Temps can range from 5 to 35 degrees at night. No snow to over a foot in one day.

 

[zman]

Just did a high altitude elk hunt in CO August 30-sept 5. Brought a good quality mountain hardware ratio 32 bag. Wish I had gotten the Ratio 15. Ended up using my SOL bivy sack each nite to add some warmth. Big Agnes air core sleeping pad sure was nice to have too...

 

[jlmoeller]

Just did a high altitude elk hunt in CO August 30-sept 5. Brought a good quality mountain hardware ratio 32 bag. Wish I had gotten the Ratio 15. Ended up using my SOL bivy sack each nite to add some warmth. Big Agnes air core sleeping pad sure was nice to have too...

zman, how much did that SOL bivy help? I have it on my list for next years backpack hunt. Did it add 10 degs of comfort? Was condensation an issue?

Thank you,

Jason Moeller

 

[zman]

zman, how much did that SOL bivy help? I have it on my list for next years backpack hunt. Did it add 10 degs of comfort? Was condensation an issue?

Thank you,

Jason Moeller

I'd say 8_10 degrees or so. Didn't have condensation issues. For $50 I think it's a worthwhile addition to any day pack.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Warmer bag or quilt and a UL Tarptent in case you gotta hunker down for a day or two. Bivy gets old after 10 hrs and if the wind is rippin' you'll be happier in a spacious shelter. Bugs? Probably not a problem but that's why there's Thermacell.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I just pulled the trigger on a 10° revelation for September archery CO but you guys are making me question whether I should have got the 0°

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I just pulled the trigger on a 10° revelation for September archery CO but you guys are making me question whether I should have got the 0°

Just a thought, I carry a Kifaru Woobie on every trip. On one week long trip the temps plummeted far below normal with fresh snow above 10,000' and I was shivering all night, then on day 3 I remembered the Woobie was in my pack. Doh! Used it the rest of the trip and was toasty the entire time. Felt like an idiot for not remembering I had it but was grateful thereafter. Stuffed it into my sleeping bag and the shivering was over. I like back-ups.