2012 bcuk Advanced Arctic Expedition

[DUCky]

I am counting on the fact that the bivvy bag and the drishell outer would shield against snow drippings and moisture. It should be able to take one coffee, but of course with down if you get it really wet, you are scre.......[piep]

I have thought about a synthetic outer and down inner, but too many coffees in the inner bag and you are back in trouble so I am not sure this helps a lot. Going all synthetic is the safest route, but will result in the biggest heaviest bags.

 

[widu13]

That rating will be fine. Must remember to tap you up for a loan

 

[DUCky]

I think thats a good price for that bag, PHD stuff is good.

I'm sticking with synth, the last thing I want is wet down in a snow hole. Knowing me, I'm bound to spill at least one coffee in my bed.

Teepee, are you taking a 5 season synthetic bag or are you using a combination of bags (liner/inner/outer)?

 

[Imagedude]

I've got a 4 season PHD bag which is great for Scottish winters but would prefer a big synthetic bag for the course. I've also tried the Buffalo Superbag but I was cold on a warm autumn night which was dissapointing.

 

[DUCky]

A good 5 season synthetic bag like from Ajungilak comes in at 3-4 kilograms.....they look massive
Once you hauled it in, you should be safe and comfy though

 

[Teepee]

Ducky-pleased to see your a fellow coffee spiller

I'm torn between 2 options; an Ajungilak Denali or nesting my 3 and 4 season bags and using my winter down hammock Underquilt as a top quilt if its below -25.

I'm hammocking either side of the course and I don't think relying on down completely is sensible for me-I want some insurance as I'll be by myself for a few days. I love down insulation though, its just soooo much nicer to sleep under.

My bivvy will also be my hammock-pertex top and heavy PU coated bottom with a velcro closure, all on CCF mats. This is my plan at the moment.

It looks like I'll be carrying the equivalent of a cow on my back

 

[DUCky]

Teepee, I do love my coffee. More for drinking than for covering myself in it, but still I love it
If you bring the cow, I will do my favourite Francis Mallmann outdoor grilling recipe 'Vaca Entera' (all I need is someone who did a campcraft course to build the rack out of twigs). Cue some northern lights and some beers and we are in heaven

The Denali looks like the dogs b....

 

[Teepee]

Teepee, I do love my coffee. More for drinking than for covering myself in it, but still I love it
If you bring the cow, I will do my favourite Francis Mallmann outdoor grilling recipe 'Vaca Entera' (all I need is someone who did a campcraft course to build the rack out of twigs). Cue some northern lights and some beers and we are in heaven

The Denali looks like the dogs b....

Sounds like a plan to me

Does anyone know if a cow is hand luggage or goes in the hold?



The Denali is the front runner at the moment. I've been testing the nesting of my synth bags tonight-although they fit together well, the zips will drive me mad after a few days of struggling to get them done up.

 

[DUCky]

Am I missing them or are there not too many five season synthetic bags? When I search online I also get links to RAB bags, but they are down filled if I am not mistaken.
Plenty of 4 season bags. I tried some bag combinations out myself yesterday but must agree with teepee that multiple zippers is going to be a pain in the ....

 

[Teepee]

Try looking for expedition bags too

From memory- Ajungilak, Snugpak, Nanok and Exped make 5 season synth bags.

I really like the look of foam bags but haven't seen any in the flesh and reports of use seem none existent. Northern Outfitters use Vaetrex foam for their jackets so there must be big benefits to using it- their kit is well regarded.
I've seen a blog where a guy made all his kit for antarctica from supersoft EVA foam.
I've been trying to source some in the UK to play with some for DIYing kit, but can't find any.

 

[Wayland]

I keep flip flopping about down / synth. but at the moment I'm mostly thinking synthetic for the sleeping bags.

I may end up with an Alpkit down bag inside my big synthetic Nanok though. Bivi on the outside of course.

 

[Wayland]

Snip> Does anyone know if a cow is hand luggage or goes in the hold? <Snip

Give it a halter and you should be able to book it as snow equipment.

 

[Teepee]

Give it a halter and you should be able to book it as snow equipment.

Snow steaks for the tarp, or padded sled?


Hows the zip on your Nanok, does it snag?

 

[Wayland]

I haven't had a problem with it but there's always a first time.

 

[skaus84]

I have just bought a surplus Dutch arctic sleeping bag that I am hoping will do the trick for the course. I got in it to test the fit and was sweating after 30 seconds! Same sort of design as the British issue bag, but twice as thick. That combined with a liner, Dutch army bivi bag and an Exped 9 down mat should just about keep me warm... I hope!!!

 

[DUCky]

Would that be the M90 you just bought? It is an excellent bag but you will need a bit of space and muscle to carry it

 

[skaus84]

http://www.imsc.co.uk/archives/865

That's the one, got it off evilbay though. It certainly is heavy and bulky, but I don't think we will be lugging kit round much once we are over there so that sholdn't be a problem. It takes up about two thirds of the main compartment of my bergen uncompressed, so space is my only concern at the moment. If only I could get away with just taking my Softie 3, but I don't fancy having my dangly bits chopped off from frost bite (assuming I survived the hypothermia!).

 

[Wayland]

My sleeping kit is going to take up 2/3 - 3/4 of the main compartment of my Crusader.

I'm relying heavily on my side pockets and mountain pack which I can hang marsupial like from the shoulder straps.

 

[Imagedude]

I've cut leg holes into my sleeping bag and will be wearing it babygro stylee on the plane.

 

[Wayland]

Now why didn't I think of that?