RMI and Whittaker Mountaineering Gear Guides Mount McKinley Expedition | Page 6

Sleeping Bag & Stuff Sack A bag rated between -30° and -20° F. Either goose down or synthetic, with ample room for movement. Most guides prefer down, because it is lightweight and compactable. A waterproof bag is preferred, but not mandatory. The temperature rating system for sleeping bags is arbitrary and is not a guarantee of warmth. Base your selection on how well you do in the cold. If you tend to sleep on the cold side, choose a bag rated on the lower end of the temperature range. Using two sleeping bags together is not recommended. The Right Sleeping Bag Since precipitation on Denali is typically snow rather than rain, most guides prefer down sleeping bags because they compact more easily than synthetic, leaving a little more room when packing your pack. Remember that it gets cold in Alaska, especially in the early parts of the climbing season, and at high camp, so bring a warm bag. You can always vent a little bit if you’re too warm! You can also add a little extra warmth by wearing additional layers while inside your sleeping bag - those extra layers trap more of your body’s heat. Saving Space Space in your pack is key on a long expedition like Denali. See if you can use extra space in your compression stuff sack to your advantage. Is there enough room for your extra long underwear layers? Puffy pants? A few pair of socks? Compressing them along with your sleeping bag in your compression stuff sack will open up a little more room in your pack!