Gear

I know this is an oft discussed topic and I apologise for any repetition.  I have already searched the OM forum history but haven't found the specific answers I'm after.

I'm trying to decide upon my sleeping system for a trip to Aconcagua and Chimborazo for Jan 2013.  I will almost certainly be taking an exped matt and likely to be the Exped DownMat 9.

The bags I'm considering are per the table in the message below.

I'm really looking for something that has a rough temp guide of between -16c to -21c. Cost isn't really an issue but weight is. I don't want anything that weighs more than 1300g.

I've ruled out Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends and Valendre for reasons of cost and/or appropriate product but if someone thinks I've missed something specific I would be keen to hear. I figure that if I end up spending a large amount (over £400) I would rather have the PHD Hispar 600 as PHD are local and I like their kit.

Does anybody have any experience of any of the above and is there another bag that I have missed?  Does anybody know the length of the regular Hispars? They only list what height person will fit in them.

The Modular Option

Also, I am considering taking my Arc Specialist (good to 0c) and Quantum 450 (good to -10c) to put one inside the other. This won't be the lightest option (approx 1400g total) but is the cheapest as I already own them! It is along the lines of the PHD combi idea, which makes rather surprising claims (though I trust them) about the effect on the Combi TOT.

It would give me obvious flexibility, which would be good given that Aconcagua will be the coldest place I go and only 4 or so nights of that would be spent at really high altitude.  I would/could combine it with sleeping in the the PHD Minimus Down Trousers and down booties, plus my down jacket (a Yukon) if really needed.

What do people think and has anybody done anything similar for Aconcagua or any other similar height/conditions mountains?

Thanks for your help.

Make -     Model & Price         - Weight - Fill Weight - FP -     Temp - Length - Width/feet

PHD       Hispar 600 (£525)    1010g      ?               900 EU   -21c       ?            80/49cm  

PHD       Hispar Combi (£443)  800g       ?               900 EU    -6c        ?

Alpkit     PipeDream 800 (?)    1270g     800            750 EU  -17c      210cm      70/50cm

Cumulus (UK) Prime 700 (£300) 1235g  700            870 US  -18c     225cm      80/52cm 

Cumulus Teneqa 700 (£220)   1170g    700            850 EU   -17c     225cm    85/55cm 

Cumulus Teneqa 850 (£245)  1330g     850            850 EU   -24c     225cm     85/55cm 

Depends what temperatures you go down to.

As an indication - to give you some yardstick, before someone comes up with more exact experience of Aconcagua:

For minus 15c - 18c - Approx 5000m - I used a PHD Minim 400 with a PHD synthetic Combi-bag (only ever seen them in one PHD sale) and wore a down vest. I didn't need my PHD down trousers, but did have down booties. I was very comfortable.

Years ago I used a down bag inside a synthetic bag and was pretty comfortable at low temps.

Of course the problem you could find is compressing the down loft too much if you used youe existing two bags. I would get a cheap synthetic bag to cover the Quantum 450.

With all that other PHD down gear to wear, I would resist buying anything more expensive (IMHO).

Thanks MK. Even as a rough estimate that is helpful.

Aguirre, thanks for your help.  I know my Quantum fits inside my Arc Specialist. The Arc quilt is very wide and allows the Quantum to still loft to its fullest, except at the footbox where it is a little tighter though not much but I would have some down booties on anyway. I think I would be more concerned about a synthetic bag weighing down on the quantum than a down quilt: how did you find it and how much does your synthetic combi bag weigh?

Here's what PHD say about Aconcagua average temps

PHD just put them in their sale one year They might well do one on request, checking on the net the 'standard' price given back in the '09 sale was 140 but certainly non trivial price rises since.

iirc The weight is roughly the same as the standard down combi bag but its not as warm.