sleeping bag for AC in november

[Ktrek]

Hi,
Last year I went to the Jomsom trek in Oct with a +1/-5 (comfort/limit) Deuter sleeping bag and it was totally OK. I slept just w/ Tshirt or polyester underwear. I wonder if I could manage the Annapurna Circuit w/ the same bag wearing underwear + fleece jacket/pants.

I tried to find some info about night temperatures in AC in november. Let's me quote yakshaver (in a message of 2005). He said:

"You will need a very warm ("four seasons") sleeping bag as the temperatures above from Manang and above will be very cold, with 0 and below 0 inside your room, at night and early morning!!!"

What's meant by a four season bag in terms of temperature? (considering a reliable manufacturer)

I think I read other messagens saying it is possible -10/-15 outside, and in this case, a message in another thread (about Gokyo) recommends a -10 bag. So I am a bit confused about which bag would be more appropriate.
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Ktrek

[Escher]

I would take a bag rated to -10 at least for that time of year, if you are a cold sleeper then you won't regret taking something warmer. Four season refers to a bag rated something like -10 to -20 degrees.

Couple of good threads here about sleeping bags, there are lots of different opinions!:-

http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581&highlight=sleeping

http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3906&highlight=sleeping

[Ktrek]

Thanks a lot for the reply, Escher. Very good threads indeed.

Does anyone know if I can get a reliable -10C sleeping bag in Nepal? Maybe in Shona's shop?
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Ktrek

[Michael Sunkist]

Buy a good bag rated -20 F, when you are worn out trekking high altitude you want to sleep warm and comfortable and protect against hypothermia. Lose your core body heat and you are in for a world of trouble as there isn't much heat in trekking lodges. I use synthetic materials rather than down. Down lumps when damp or dirty where as synthetic will keep you toasty sopping wet. A bit more of a hassle packing and lugging around but it is a gaurentee warm up when you are freezing which you will be at the higher climates. Happy trekking.

[peteris]

I made Annapurna Circuit previous year, aprox. 17th October - 13th November. Snow was already in Pisang, and quite many tragedies were in region (maybe you all know this and may post isn't needed). Nepalis sad, that they don't remember such snow in October for long years. Many people went back from Pisang/Manang as they hadn't some days to wait for doing Thorung La. With this I wanted to say, that different wheather is possible. Little snow isn't unusual in Muktinath and others places like this in end of October.

Peteris

[yakshaver]

Thanks a lot for the reply, Escher. Very good threads indeed.

Does anyone know if I can get a reliable -10C sleeping bag in Nepal? Maybe in Shona's shop?
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Ktrek

Yes Ktrek, you can get a reliable warm sleeping bag in Thamel or Pokhara. No problem. You might perhaps watch the seams more closely befor you purchase. But you should be paying a lot less on a sleeping bag in KTM. It might not last you as long. Still, the bag I bought there in 1999 does the job still. even if dawn flakes are escaping every now and then...

[Ktrek]

Good to know I can get a bag in Nepal, because here in Brazil it is not that simple to find 4 season bags. Just half a dozen of people going to the Aconcagua, and the shop's stocks are finished...

Peteris, those pictures of yours are from Thorung La or nearby?

Yes, I know the weather is always unpredictable specially with the global warming. Last year, around Kagbeni, I met 2 girls who were among the first to cross Thorung La after the heavy snow in Oct. They told me that the path down was very dangerous, slippery. On the other hand, I read that last winter didn't snow and in april there was heavy snow and trekkers had to come back.
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Ktrek