Alaska drop camp sleep system ideas?

[Tjv28]

Hey guys,  (and girls)
    I’m going on a drop camp moose hunt this fall and will be sleeping in a cabelas 6 man tent. I can’t decide if I should bring an air mattress or cot/thermarest combo. A regular cot weighs over 10#’s and we will be close on weight. So, which would you recommend...ultralight cot/thermarest (4lbs)?, or blow up twin mattress (3.5lbs w/pump)? Thanks

[WapitiTalk1]

Tjv,

The blow up mattresses work great for base camping but they may be pushing your total weight limit a bit for what you're allowed?

A lightweight backpacking cot may serve you well for this trip (gets you up off the ground and coupled with a good insulated pad and bag or quilt, you'll be snug and dry).  Don't know if you have a bag and pad already, but, here's a couple of items you can browse.  I own all of these and they work very well.
1.  Cot: Desert Walker Backpack Cot.  3.1 LBs.  I think they're around 90 bones on Amazon.
2.  Pad/Pillow: Klymit INS Static V Sleeping Pad and LGE Pillow.  1.48 LBs.  115 bones at the Klymit site.
3.  Bag/quilt:  I have several bags but like to take my quilt when weight is an issue. VIAM Outdoors 10 DEG Quilt (Long/Wide).  2.6 LBs.  Wanna say they're around 200 bones on the VIAM Outdoors site.
4.  Chair:  Ahh, you've gotta have a decent chair to sit in to put your boots on and hang out at camp in between hunts.  The Wild Horn Terralite All-Terain Chair.  2 LBs.  This is much better than those three legged stool contraptions many folks get for lightweight backpack adventures.  I think they're around 50 bones on Amazon. 

Just a few thoughts.  Happy shopping!  RJ     

[vandeman17]

I would bring the cot and mattress. The storage space under the cot will be very useful. 

[fillthefreezer]

Are you only looking at these two options or are you open to new or better options?

[Magnum_Willys]

Went on same hunt same tent - used guide recommended Exped Downmat 7 downfilled air mattress with snozzle bag ( no pump).  Its about 1.6 #   
Schozzle bag is just a 1 oz bag that fills matress in a minute and doubles for storage.

Worked great.  can sleep on snow with it. 

In warm conditions would go with a 16 oz pad and save a little weight

[Tjv28]

I’m looking at all options. I currently have a marmot 0* bag and thermarest prolight 4 pad

[kentrek]

The big twin style air mattress can be pretty comfy but I've had so many holes in them.....I'd consider an ultralight cot with an additional ultra light airmatress....

No way would I take a 10#cot

[fishsticks]

Alaska can get wet.  A wet tent floor is a real possibility.  I'd suggest a cot so that you can get off the tent floor.

We flew in for a caribou hunt last year, and rented camp gear from the transporter.  They had very slick, lightweight cots.  Coupled with a good backpacking air mattress they worked well. 

[Tjv28]

All great replies. Those exped mattress are amazing. What innovative idea... I think I’m leaning towards the cot as of now. Thanks. Wish me luck!

[fillthefreezer]

Exped megamat 10 in the medium size would be my choice for your trip

[Tjv28]

Ill look it up

[Magnum_Willys]

Ill look it up

5.5# will be great if weight not a factor. 

[GoldenOscar]

100% on the cot too, nice to get off the wet floor and have storage underneath. I did a drop camp for Caribou and the wind tore our Alaska guide tent apart.....we had to use our cots to store all our gear until we could bail out the tent floor.

[Skyvalhunter]

Did you do any good and who was your guide if you don't mind me asking

[Wingin it]

A downfall of an non-insulated is that they trap cold air and don't really warm up. That causes a moisture problem getting your bag wet and then the problem just compounds. I am talking about full size blow up mattresses here and not ultra light backpacking style. They are great for summer weather camping but suck when it gets cold!