Wanted to get some takes on something I'm thinking about trying to keep bulk and weight as low as possible. I'd like to hear from those who've tried similar or have some setup you think would meet the intent of what I'm trying out here.

I'll be heading out for a weekend backpacking trip to a NF area here in the SW part of New Mexico where the temps are forcasted to be in the low 80s for the High and the mid 40's in the evenings. No rain is expected. We're packing in a few miles to visit a natural hot springs and I'd like to test out a means to keep weight and bulk out of my pack (trying to fit everything in my CamelBak Fourteener).

The plan:
REI Minimalist Bivy
Thermarest NeoAir
Cocoon Silk or Cotton liner
Sleeping in my clothing

Does this sounds retarded? I have no experience using this Bivy, as I just picked it up with my REI dividend and 20% off coupon. I gather it'll add some warmth, and I'm a "typical" sleeper as in not hot or cold, but I still like to be cozy. The only other sleeping bag I've got is a 20g Kelty down bag which is overkill as far as temps go, so I'm wanting to try and go as minimalist as possible still maintaining a acceptable level of comfort.

Is this feaseable? Better ideas? I'd like to see the looks on the other guys I'm going with when they see my daypack is all I'm bringing on a weekend trip!

I would be cold in your setup. I would take a sleeping bag and drape it over me in the bivy (not being inside the sleeping bag). That bivy has only netting over the face so you are not set for any precipitation if the forecast is not accurate.

What clothing will you be bringing?

Thanks to you both for your replies.

For clothing I'm going to be wearing a lightweight synthetic T, and some convertable Columbia pants (Silver Ridge I think?)

For packed clothing, I'll have a set of Patagonia Cap 3, and a set of R1 top and bottom w/ a fleece beanie. I'll also have my Marmot Super Mica but will likely only pull that out if I need to cover the mesh opening in my bivy.

Hey Justin,

I used to live in Southern Arizona and 40 degrees is a lot colder in the South West than it is back in the Midwest. I needed my 20 degree bag during the winter/early spring months in AZ but still got away with my 20 degree bag in Wisconsin in January. Go figure.

Your best bet is try try this outside one night before you go on your trip. I think you will end up being really cold. You could look into a Blizzard Survival Bag. There are a lot of threads on her about using them when going light and they are pretty cheap.

I'm actually in Las Cruces, NM. I'll be heading to the Gila NF to Jordan Hot Springs.

Since you are fairly close to where you are going to ben backing packing, I'd test your setup outside one night.

Definitely try it out before you go if you can. I usually sleep warm but was barely able to take a cocoon liner with thermal shirt and bottoms into the mid 50's.

Hi Justin,

I think you might be cold with your current set-up, but yea test and see. If it's too cold I would suggest ditching the cocoon liner and getting a u.s. military poncho liner. They're cheap, compressible, and add a lot of warmth for the weight.

Best of luck,

Roy

I'm keyed in on the statement "no rain is expected." How predictable is that in your intended area? I ask because it seems up in the northeast I can almost surely count on some overnight rain even if it's not a high probability in the forecast. Maybe my perception is a little skewed, but I will always account for it up here.

But if you're in an area that truly doesn't see rain or has a dry season where the chances are truly low, I'd skip the bivy and liner and just bring a down bag. Probably the same bulk, but you wouldn't have to worry about being cold. And if you did get hit with rain, just pack up and head out. You said it was a short hike in. Bring a good headlamp!!!

Bugs might be a concern with my suggestion. A headnet may or may not work in that case and perhaps you truly can't leave the bivy behind.

So to me it seems like you're almost guaranteed to have to worry about being cold with your setup, whereas with my suggestion you don't have to worry about being cold, but have to worry about the small probability of getting wet.

This would be a good post for you to read

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=13855

I would be cold. If the goal is long range I would consider a small light 40 degree quilt from Z-pack or Katabatic. My Montbell #3 compresses very small and I expect a quilt would be significantly smaller.

I'm from your neck of the woods originally, miss it! The Gila is fantastic, and I know those hot springs. And I also know that I have been hammered by unexpected summer rains there. High altitude desert weather can be pretty unpredictable. Might be something to consider.

Edited by mediauras on 04/17/2012 16:01:06 MDT.

I would be cold. You didn't mention if you were using a tarp or simply cowboy camping.

If it were me, I would get rid of the bivy and/ or liner (depending on your shelter) and get a 30-40F quilt. There are several down and synthetic options worth looking at; MLD spirit quilts, Enlightened Equipment, or ZPacks and katabatic gear for down.

+1 on the 40 degree quilt option with very little clothing. I would only have a light weight base layer and something like a down vest for mornings and evenings in camp.

Edited by randalmartin on 04/17/2012 17:54:04 MDT.

Wow.. Thanks to you all for sharing your thoughts!

I had intended to camp in the backyard Monday night to test the setup as temps were to be similar as my trip, but a bout of food poisioning did a number on me. Still feeling some of the effects although I'm back on my feet.

My trip is planned for this weekend, so I'm not going to have the time to test this setup, and due to my recently weakened state I'm just going to bring my Nemo Obi 2 and down bag and pack it into my Kestrel 38L pack and worry about making a statement next time.. :)

But to sum it all up, I think you're all right in the fact I would likely be chilled and it would likely lead to a miserable weekend trip with some friends which should be a good time.. So I'd like to thank you all again for your sharing of wisdom!

See you on the trails!