Author Topic: Alaska drop camp sleep system ideas? (Read 4549 times)

Tjv28 · « **on:** June 12, 2018, 10:08:36 AM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:26:14 AM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:26:47 AM »

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

fillthefreezer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:45:47 AM »

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

Magnum_Willys · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2018, 12:01:48 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2018, 06:17:02 PM »

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

kentrek · « **Reply #6 on:** June 12, 2018, 07:15:10 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2018, 07:21:08 PM »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2018, 07:27:35 PM »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2018, 09:31:47 PM »

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

Tjv28 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2018, 09:40:43 PM »

Ill look it up

Magnum_Willys · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:07:28 PM »

Quote from: Tjv28 on June 12, 2018, 09:40:43 PM

Ill look it up

5.5# will be great if weight not a factor.

GoldenOscar · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2018, 10:29:06 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2018, 05:15:03 AM »

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

Wingin it · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2018, 05:21:02 AM »

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!

jrebel · « **Reply #15 on:** June 13, 2018, 07:02:04 AM »

I use an exped downat with enlightened quilt and couldn't be happier. Stayed warm in late November last year while hunting Idaho.

Tjv28 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 13, 2018, 08:19:45 AM »

Quote from: Skyvalhunter on June 13, 2018, 05:15:03 AM

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

Haven’t gone yet. No guide, but Renfros is the outfitter. Exped megamat 10 is 5.2lbs, light weight cot(desert walker?) w/ thermarest pad is right at 4.5lbs.

fillthefreezer · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2018, 09:59:56 AM »

Totally true, but I joke not, the megamat is more comfortable than a lot of hotel beds I've slept in. I have the thermarest luxmap I used to run on a cot as well

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Author Topic: Alaska drop camp sleep system ideas? (Read 4549 times)

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