Stone glacier Chilkoot 32 or 15? for September Elk hunts

[mrdeadheadr]

Im debating whether to buy the SG Chilkoot 32 or the 15, specifically for mid september solo elk hunts at 9-11,000 feet. I'm assuming temps usually get down to around freezing at night. Would I need to get the 15 to stay decently warm? I love the weight savings of the 32 if it is warm enough to keep me warm in those temps.

Thanks!

 

[gostovp]

I have a Western Mountaineering Alpinelite which is a 15 degree bag which will be very similar in performance to the SG 15 degree bag. I like it even in early season, just unzip to vent if to warm. The only gripe I have is that it’s so comfortable that I don’t want to get out of it in the morning, and being that I normally don’t need to sleep in my puffy or anything, it’s cold when getting out of the bag to put my clothes on!

 

[Trogon]

Without having both and the luxury of picking one after checking the weather as you walk out the door; 15 degree for sure. September can swing either way, and it can be a lot colder at 11k than 9. Cheap insurance and comfort.

 

[CoWapiti]

Definitely the 15. I use a Western Mountaineering Versalite which is a 10 degree bag. Super comfortable through October temps in CO.

 

[Decker]

Depends on if you run warm or not. I run a rei igneo 19 which is a 30 degree comfort bag in sept at around those elevations. Most of the time it’s perfect and other times I had to toss on my puffy on. But I also have the Chilkoot 15 that works great around that time as well but can be pretty toasty on those early warmer nights.

 

[Dr.Chill]

Absolutely the 15, it's really such a versatile limit rating. I use an overfilled Western Mountaineering Apache 15 and it's perfect through end of archery season. If a big storm rolled in, I could push it likely closer to 0 with extra layers and puffy gear, but a 32 bag would be risqué if the bottom really fell out. The extra ounces and wee bit of space is cheap insurance.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

For archery elk I like light/small to pack, which is that quilt. I just used it for a mild Oct night, works quite well. I consider it an early season bag and not something I’d use as my only option, but I own a 15F bag for later season.

If you’re only using it in September the quilt might work well for you.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Im debating whether to buy the SG Chilkoot 32 or the 15, specifically for mid september solo elk hunts at 9-11,000 feet. I'm assuming temps usually get down to around freezing at night. Would I need to get the 15 to stay decently warm? I love the weight savings of the 32 if it is warm enough to keep me warm in those temps.

Thanks!

I'm a CO resident hunter and would never go with any bag rated higher than15 degrees. I've learned the hard way. CO weather can change on a dime. Even in Sept. depending where you're hunting and elevation temps can drop into the teens with snow. Mountain hunting ain't no joke, be prepared!

 

[LongWayAround]

I have thought about adding the 32 for short backpack hunts, with the intention of wearing my puffy jacket and pants in it to reduce bulk in my pack. I have never regretted having the 15.

It can snow anytime in September. If I'm cold and wet, I want to know I have more insulation waiting for me.

 

[TheAri]

The 32 isn’t wide enough for most adult males, it lets in drafts pretty easy. I used it on my sept elk hunt this year and sold it promptly after. I think a quilt is still preferable to a sleeping bag for sept & oct

 

[Fowl intentions]

I used the SG 32 on a 2700 mile bikepacking race along the continental divide. It was really nice for that. I've used it in early Montana archery season but as stated before, the weather can swing drastically. I have switched to packing the Peax 15 for dang near all of the archery and most of the rifle season. The reason that I love it is because it can be turned into a quilt for the warmer nights but you can quickly unroll the hood and zip up the center zip for the bag. A really nice feature that extends the use of the one sleeping bag.