JMT 2010 - Bed Time

JMT permit application day is coming up in just a few weeks.  I already mentioned the pack I'll be taking - the Gregory Palisade 80 - so thought I would keep sharing with the gear I'll be filling it with for the 4-week trek. Starting from the bottom of the pack, which I'll be stuffing in the bag compartment, will be the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus sleeping pad, and the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 down sleeping bag.

The Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus (regular size) is a self-inflating 1.5" thick mattress that weighs in at a mere 24 ounces. The full-sized pad measures 20" wide by 72" long, yet rolled and compressed is just 5" x 11" - about the size of a liter water bottle. I have not used this pad in the field - this was a present from the Festivus Fairy - but am looking forward to breaking it in on several smaller backpacks before the JMT. Until now, I've been using Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro pad; this newer one comes in about a half-pound lighter, but the compressibility is the big feature.

After those long days of hiking - and ample time stargazing - I'll be snuggling into my Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 down sleeping bag. This is also a recent acquisition, thanks to the latest sale at REI. For several years I've been using a Marmot Sawtooth +32 for my 3-season bag with no complaints. For the big trip though, I'm counting every ounce, and going as compact as possible. The MH bag (regular) weighs in with a super-lightweight 23 ounces, and - like the Therm-a-Rest  - compresses to about the size of a Nalgene bottle. The Phantom 32 features 800-fill goose down in a performance cut shape, and is treated with a DWR finish. The combination of these two items will allow me to stuff both the pad and the bag into the pack's bag compartment - with room to spare!

Both items are available at REI.com, and other outdoor retailers.