3 days off. Suggestions? Go!

Mt Brown Hut and go out via Glenn and Alan Jemison's track that starts from the old hut site down into the Styx. That fire is a little cracker (literally and figuratively).

Mt Brown is on my list. I don't think that there's snow up there though.

Well, I've come up with a plan. Today, I'm going to get a wheel alignment (because my car needs it). Drive to Christchurch, maybe do a short hike along the way, up Bealey Spur or something. In Christchurch I need to get a compression sack for my new sleeping bag. If I can compress my sleeping bag enough, I won't need to get a larger back than my 45L Hunters Element pack for Te Araroa. Then I'll head to Reefton via Lewis pass, where I'll watch the State of Origin somewhere. (Starts at 10pm. Decided I don't want to miss it, as it's the first time they've played at the MCG since '97). First thing tomorrow morning I'll head up to Kirwans. It says normally 6 hours. I'll allow for twice that if there's a metre of snow like Wayno says. Looking forward to the challenge! Spend the night up there, then head back down Friday. Back to work Saturday, where I'm working the next 2 1/2 weeks straight. :( Any suggestions on where to go to get a good compression sack in Christchurch?

Sounds like a plan. Could be more rain than snow but the hut is just awesome, with wood burner etc. Head over to Bivouac, they sell compression sacks. Mine is waterproof as well, for extra peace of mind. http://www.bivouac.co.nz/gear/camping-and-tramping/storage/sea-to-summit-event-compression-drysack.html Have fun, look forward to hearing all about it.

Never being short of an opinion or a change in topic either, I don't think compression sacks are a good idea for down but maybe OK for hollofill bags.

That's interesting, how does it affect the down? My down bag is stored loose and is only compressed during transit. It does bring up a point though, if you're a thru-hiker, the bag would be compressed day after day… it might just make sense to just stuff it loose in the pack.

down gets shipped to the factories in a compressed stated, its probably a combination of damp down and compression that may be an issue, leaving them lofted allows them to dry properly and minimise mould building up in the bag.

yea all the good bags come with 2 sacks these days (wow that sounded ruder than I meant it to) an extra one to store it in that is

Don't feel good about putting a sleeping bag in waterproof sack. The moisture content would get quite high over a long trip from sweat / etc. Would prefer it can breath a little within the pack confines at least! Not sure it would make a difference, but ... just seems somewhat unhygenic.

Very good point madpom, out of interest, have you ever tried using a vapour barrier liner? I heard of them awhile back, apparently they are good for extended use particularly in winter/wet climates, but haven't used one myself.