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