>How about summertime Southeast Alaska? I would definitely suggest a synthetic. There are several different ways that a bag can get wet. The bag is susceptable to getting wet at other times other than when you're paddling. Scenario: you have a dry bag, a dry tent, cold weather, cold ground. You fall asleep, but by breathing you create lots o' condensation on the inside of your tent AND your sleeping bag. Synthetic will keep you warm even if it is wet, and will dry out quicker. Down will not keep you warm, and will dry out when it's good 'n ready -- which will certainly be after you need it the most. Another Scenario: You're not paying attention to tides, and don't camp high enough... you wake up floating in water. I don't know about you, but if that ever happened, I would want a synthetic. You'll still be wet, but you'd be warm. Scenario 3: your dry bag leaks, or you've accidentally punctured it in a bizarre cooking incident. You don't have a replacement so you'll have to make do. You find out that the plastic bag you have inside the compression sack leaked. Apparently you've had some unfortunate mishaps, but... fortunately your bag is synthetic. California or Baja in Summer, I think down might be a viable option. Alaska in summer... there is still ice all around you. Wet, wet, wet. Although, I believe that Marmot now makes a down bag that has a gore-tex type cover. Water just does not get through it. This would be the only down bag I would take on any Pacific NW trip if I had the budget. About compression... I have a thermolite 15F, I can get it down to the size of a Costco Red Vines container. It doubles as a slightly large football on some occasions. Polarguard(R) 3D is also made to compress even more, with less weight. If you do decide on a down bag, then I would suggest investing in a bivy sack as well. It will help keep the bag dry even if there is heavy condensation in the tent. A side note: NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) requires a synthetic bag for all students on Pacific NW, and B.C. Sea Kayaking courses. There, that's more than my 2 cents worth. Hope it's helpful. Shoni -The only thief of dreams is Fear. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jan 25 1999 - 13:08:43 PST
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