Summer sleeping bag advice South Island
Hi all
This has probably been covered a number of times so apologies for a repeated thread
I'm planning a first multi day trek in the South Island next January and was just looking for some advise on Sleeping bag requirements.
My wife and I are planning on doing the Caples/Routeburn track and are going to be sleeping in a memo hornet tent. We use exped UL 7 mats with a half a Thermarest Z mat each for added comfort/R value. We will wear poly prop LJs with socks/gloves/hat or balaclava. We have a down sweater to add should it get really chilly.
What night time temps are we likely to expect in early Jan?
I've just purchased 2 new TNF Lynx synthetic bags which are EN rated 6 degrees comfort and 1 degree lower. Weighing only 850 grams. They were a steal at $125 each delivered from 'bike24' in Germany.
I figure that I could push that lower limit a touch with layering up as stated. I'm just concerned of any temps below zero that I'm likely to encounter.
Any advise or help on the temps would be greatly received
Cheers
We're both experienced multi day trekkers here in Aus and UK.
Our
20 comments
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I don't know the tent - but from the specs, it's not my ideal NZ tent.
You trade off a lot to cut the weight to 1kg. As a new tent, the DWR coating should be enough to keep rain out for this trip (but it won't last long). The more immediate concern is the inner mesh - very cold in low temperatures combined with high wind.
However, as the fly doesn't come to the ground, in heavy rain and wind, water can be blown under the fly and into the inner. To my mind, this tent is designed for more settled & warmer climes
Wayno's floor rating is a minimum, I think, for the average random camp but the Great Walks are more 'constructed'. Assuming you're tramping in Feb/Mar, storms are generally brief and the campsites not bogs so you are likely to be OK.
As comparison, my 2P tent is a WE 1st Arrow (an older version) and at 3.6kg is bomb-proof but somewhat heavier :)
Have a great trip - don't forget the camera!
You can carry a plastic footprint for the tent to put underneath the floor. It will also protect the floor from wear and tear. As I said recently on another post, my partner uses a plastic packliner (MSC orange) cut open. It is also used to sit on and sometimes when we stop and have lunch in the rain, it comes out and we put it over us. We're usually somewhere a bit sheltered as well in this situation.
One time on Cascade Saddle I just had a Minaret fly and the others stayed in an Olympus full tent. Rain got flicked under the fly into the Olympus and stayed there but the fly, having no floor had no problem with retaining water which would have puddled. Interesting.
Thanks again everyone for the replies!
Regarding the tent....I'm aware that with all the mesh, if things get cold then it could become a bit breezy. As 90% of the tents life will be spent in hot climes I'd rather get the tent suited to that. I'll be carrying a siltarp also which can be used as a cooking shelter with trekking poles or built over the tent for more protection in wild weather. Then of an evening, double as a footprint to add the durability needed on the floor. The tent is sylnylon which in 'waterproof and durability terms' is about as good as it gets these days. I'm aware we'll need to treat it carefully though due to the thinness of the nylon.
Also, the design of the tent has a high bathtub at the head end due to the fly finishing high. This is for ventilation purposes and is found on all Nemo tents. I think if it's pitched right, then it could minimise the risk splashing rain ending up inside the innner. This is my theory anyway!
Great advice on the camping areas also!
So as a ball park....what temps do you think we are likely to encounter for early Jan....daytime and night time?
Thanks in advance 👍
unlikely to get a frost, temps should be anywhere from five to 15 at night at the higher camps
Currently, 10-day forecast for Caples track ranges from -2 to
12 degrees C.
Historically, average monthly temperatures for Caples Track, are Dec 13.6 C, Jan 14.6 C & Feb 14.9 C, for what it's worth ?.
""The unpredictable nature of the weather in this region means that snow, high winds and rain can occur at any time of the year. It is therefore very important to be prepared for the worst weather conditions, and carry the appropriate clothing at all times. Generally January and February are warmer, not necessarily dryer. In November and December the mountain lilies are just coming out and there is still snow on the surrounding mountains... Due to the nature of Fiordland we cannot predict any forecast.""
https://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/en/guided-walks/the-routeburn-track/faqs
We should all them temps covered with the gear we carry.
Thanks!
Last question I promise...what websites are best for weather reporting in them areas?
Thanks again
Harris Sadle is on the routeburn
http://www.metservice.com/mountain/fiordland-national-park
m.metservice.com/mountain/fiordland-national-park
http://m.metservice.com/warnings
http://m.metservice.com/mountain/brief-nz-mountain-forecast
http://m.metservice.com/mountain/extended-nz-mountain-forecast
http://m.metservice.com/mountain/extended-nz-mountain-forecast
👍
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| Started by | Gidge12374 |
| On | 1 February 2017 |
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