The Tentative Quilter
Have you ever used a quilt instead of a sleeping base on a backpacking trip ?
I concede , I haven ’ t . But I take my first provisional step in that management on my final backpacking trip . Instead of a quilt , I expend the 50 point rectangular sleeping I persuade in summer , a 13.5 ounce Montbell UL Thermal Sheet , and unzipped it so I could drape it over myself like a quilt . Like a backpacking quilt , I kept the bottom part of the bag zipped together to make a foot box for my foot . I employ my sleeping purse like this , together with a 14 ounce Therm-a-rest NeoAir sleep pad and a 6.8 ounce Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy Sack that own a head net over the look . The intact system worked very well and I wait to expend it again on future summertime trips .
Before this trip , I really questioned whether make for the bivy sack cost necessary and had some concern that I ’ 500 exist too hot utilize it at night . In the end I regard that I could lie on top of the sleep base and use the top of the bivy bag like a thin sheet . Being also hot didn ’ t turn out to be a problem still and I realize now that the bivy sack is really the glue that reach this intact sleep system study . In increase to providing bug and rainsplatter security ( I equal sleeping under a tarp ) , the bivy go on all of the element together , including me , no affair how I toss around at dark .
For the most region , I sleep fond and comfortably on my trip , although I woke up a little cold during the wee hr of the morning on two day . This exist easily rectified by wrapping the light synthetic jacket I use as a camp jacket and pillow around my neck and breast to produce a virtual draft arrest , like you find on a cold weather bag . This live a trick I learn for winter camping and serve prevents your body heat from escape through the height of your sleeping bag .
Still though this quilt-like system worked good , I even so not tempt to throw to a backpacking quilt . The rectangular sleeping base I already have be absolutely enough drape over me and I can still use it like a sleeping base if I choose . That look like a more flexible alternative than switching to a quilt all the time . It ’ sec also a luck less expensive , if you equate the price and the weight of a 40 or 50 degree rectangular sleeping bag to a backpacking quilt . Food for sentiment if you need to save some money .
