Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Sleeping bag for Central & S America? Sleeping bag for Central & S America?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: brentwood
Posts: 24
Sleeping bag for Central & S America?
MattB and I are off next week to Los Angeles, where we will bike down to Beunos Aires over a period of 4 - 6 months and we could do with a bit of advice on the necessity for sleeping bags, particularly through Mexico and C America.


Very rough Dates:
July - Mexico
August - Central America
September - Columbia / Ecudor
October/November - Peru / Bolivia /Chile
December - Argentina

We plan to camp on the odd occasion we can't find suitable lodgings or if it's an unmissable spot.

I have the option of getting my girlfriend to bring out our sleeping bags in Costa Rica, before we enter S America - Would that be best in preparation for the Andes.

We are both taking cotton liners. We both have 3/4 Season sleeping bags that we 'could' take from the start.

Any advice on average nightime temperatures over this period would be really useful.

Thanks!

Will
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Jun 2005
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Taupo, New Zealand
Posts: 194
Not averages but nightime extremes experienced while camping on my trip:

Min: -25
Max: +30

Both in Argentina; there would be a hotter max if Brasil was included... There's a big ol' thread regarding down vs. synthetic so I won't give a recommendation but just my experience: I used a a Fairydown down bag of the tapered, full-zip type, rated to -15, with a silk sleep sheet and Thermarest Ultralite. They worked an absolute charm for about 70 nights outdoors in NA, CA & SA. I'm a fairly hot sleeper and wore thermal underwear only once - neither cold nor heat was a problem. I'd take the same gear again.

Up in the Andes it is cold. Deserts are cold at night. Southern Argentina is more wet & windy than cold. I had a three season MSR Zoid II tent but would lean towards a Hilleberg Ekto four season next time - more sweating in the tropical heat, but better in the mountains.

Good luck,
JC
__________________
James Courtier
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: brentwood
Posts: 24
Cheers JC,

Thanks for the info, particularly on temperatures.

I think I'll take my sleeping bag from the start and have the complete package.

Thanks

Will
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Jun 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 114
Helo,
I just came back from south america and I had a "Snowshoe" from The North Face. It is quite good, since it is made of synthetic fibre and therefore also good in rainy times, when others do not work anymore. I also jused it to sleep on 5100m and had no problem. But do not forget a bag to reduce the volume of the sleeping bag. However, I also took a light silk sleeping bag with me for extrem cold or also warmer times. the drawback of synthetic fibre is taht those sleeping bags are alsways heavier than the others (down)
Hope I could help you
__________________
www.moto-adventure.ch - just THE page about touring Europe and South america by bike!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Jun 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 13
We`re heading down thru Mexico and on to Central and South america and are just about to trade in our sleeping bags. I have a 3 season synthetic bag and my husband has a 1 season, very bad planning! We are getting Northface down bags which go down to 0 Farenheit, which we hope will be fine for the rest of our trip. In Basaseachi and in the canyons (the top of the canyons, def not the bottom!) it was very cold at nights and this was May-June.
We`ll be ditching our lighter weight bags in Oaxaca in about 2 weeks time if anyone is in the neighbourhood and needs them...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Jun 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Posts: 78
It can be very cold in the Andes, especially on the Salt Lakes. Its not so much the cold air but rather the cold ground that takes away the bodys heat. I have a good sleeping bag and matress but I had to wear my complete motorbike gear while camping on the Salar Grandes in Argenina.
So I would rather take a warmer sleeping bag than a thinner one.

Greetings Patrick
---
www.schweizer-ing.com
__________________
Riding home the crazy way: Germany to Newfoundland
www.unleashyouradventure.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:47.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top