Bad Idea?

I'll be moving to Colorado, and was wondering if a sleeping system comprised of a Marmot Arroyo (775 FP down, 30 degrees) and a parka which approaches expedition level performance (Mountain Hardwear Nuts N' Bolts) would be adequate for wintertime use in the Rockies- above treeline. I always use a real tent; never a tarp or lightweight summer shelter. I'm really confident in my parka. I've slept in my vehicle (Jeep Grand Cherokee, red) wearing only the parka, cotton corduroys, and some wool socks at 20° in halfway- reasonable comfort. The parka would be placed on TOP of the bag, to minimize compression of the down. The snap off hood would be placed on the foot of the bag. I could throw on some lightweight down pants if needed. Sooo, what's the consensus? Will this work? (Or, if you were to use a sleeping bag alone- ONLY a sleeping bag- in these conditions, for what temperature would it be rated ideally?

I'll be moving to Colorado, and was wondering if a sleeping system comprised of a Marmot Arroyo (775 FP down, 30 degrees) and a parka which approaches expedition level performance (Mountain Hardwear Nuts N' Bolts) would be adequate for wintertime use in the Rockies- above treeline. I always use a real tent; never a tarp or lightweight summer shelter. I'm really confident in my parka. I've slept in my vehicle (Jeep Grand Cherokee, red) wearing only the parka, cotton corduroys, and some wool socks at 20° in halfway- reasonable comfort. The parka would be placed on TOP of the bag, to minimize compression of the down. The snap off hood would be placed on the foot of the bag. I could throw on some lightweight down pants if needed. Sooo, what's the consensus? Will this work? (Or, if you were to use a sleeping bag alone- ONLY a sleeping bag- in these conditions, for what temperature would it be rated ideally?

gyroman3000 asked for sleeping advice:

Ahhh... Gyroman! If you had slept in my vehicle (Jeep Grand Cherokee, char gold) you would have been warmer. It's a well documented fact that the Grand Cherokee, red, looses more heat in cold, dark conditions than the char gold. Seems the char gold has extra insulation as a standard feature, and it was only available as an upgrade option on the red. If you plan on using the red in these conditons again, you might want to opt for something under the parka and corduroys. (long johns?)

-jean (love my jeep!)

Before you buy.

Seeing that the Jeep Grand Cherokee you drive is red in color, it will never work...

Find a nearby meat locker and give it a try.

Happy Climbing! Micah Lauer

Before you buy.

Mark Twight goes up on the Alaskan with only like a 20 degree bag because he sleeps in his clothing. I'm sure you can make your system work. I would just consider having some more loft added to your bag or buying a liner that adds warmth.

Your best bet is to take it up above treeline when you get here, set up your tent, and see if it works for you. If you are comfortable, there's your answer. If you spend a night shivering your ass off in complete misery: there's your answer. You can always bail and sleep in the jeep.

If you take to building snow shelters I would guess that your bag would be more than adequate.

-Mike 'Shivering with anticipation' Watz-

Mark Twight wears his suffering as a layer of insulation in all his endeavors. When I read of some of his weight-saving sacrifices I understand why he is pushing the edge and I'm just pushing along.

I'm sure your system would be adequate. Whether it would be comfortable or not is dependent on a lot of different factors such as hydration, fatigue levels, adequate food consumption, insulating layer under the bag, how warm the air is in your Suzi(tm) and how much scotch you've consumed. I've found that my comfort level varies widely in my sleeping system not so much on the temperature as some of the factors outlined above.

I hope i could help.

snip... Combining my

Not exactly Chris. It's all about loft and if you have to stuff your 30 degree bag inside your 20 degree bag you will be no warmer than with the 20 alone.

Carrying them both may keep you warm however.

Ted(I like a heating blanket myself)Compton.

Before you buy.

What is this bullshit? You say you're 'moving to Colorado' to do what? Live in a tent or outta your car? Where? At what elevation? Somewhere the CSP isn't gonna 'move you along'? What a load of crap.

Stay where you are. We don't want you.

- Lord Slime

He could just cover up with the second bag, not zip it up. I sleep like this with one bag in my igloo, just lay on the warm Thermarest and tuck the edges under so I don't have any drafts. I use a zero degree bag and a ridgerest under the TR and I think that a twenty above bag would be warm enough for this. I think Chris should also have it pointed out that the temps can get down to the minus twenty range easily.

The sweat could come back to haunt him later.

If only they had hookups at those campsites. ;o)

Ed Huesers http://www.grandshelters.com

This goes back to 'if you have to ask....' and yes, it is a learning thing and the safety margins are much smaller than the ones you have in summer. It's good to have a way to bail out if needed.

An inexperienced winter camper can get very wet building a snow shelter and take a lot of that moisture with him into the bag if mistakes are made.

Ed Huesers http://www.grandshelters.com