packing in question

[Iowabowhunter]

Not sure how to pack my sleeping bag...into elk/muley camp.

I have a Stone Glacier Sky 5100 pack, Big Agnes lost ranger sleeping bag w/therma rest neo air pad, Shires Stratospire 2 tarptent, a tripod w/head and one of those crappy therma rest zlite pads for when I'm glassing.

Not sure how to pack everything. Thinking the zlite and my tent strapped to the bottom of my bag, just not sure what to do with the sleeping bag. Strap to the side maybe?

I'm thinking it will throw the balance way off. May stop into Stone Glacier one of these days after work and have the masters recommend something. 

In the meantime anybody have any ideas?

[Biathlonman]

If at all possible I like the bag inside my pack. On rare occasions that doesn't work I've put in on top in a sea to summit event compression stuff sack.

[Daz]

Hmmm...5100 is a big multi day pack. Everything should fit inside (unless you are doing 10 plus days or just packing too much stuff in general).

Sleeping bag is always at the bottom (lightest weight lowest). Then pad and tent. If you don't want to carry tripod inside, use outer straps to lock it down, or hit up Kurt at SG for a spotter bag to dock on the outer lock straps.

SG makes a great rig.

[Iowabowhunter]

My sleeping bag doesn't pack down all that small unfortunately, I am sure it could fit inside my pack. I'll see if I can get some pictures rounded up this evening.

[Orion]

A compression sack for your sleeping bag should help reduce its size.

[lt-m-grow]

I too really like my sleeping bag inside.   I will sometimes strap the tent and/or sleeping pad on top and bottom, but never the sleeping bag.

Rain happens...Everything in my pack is also inside a heavy-duty/thick garbage bag.  The garbage bag is worth it for this and other purposes.

Really though, that is a big pack.  Should fit. I don't know your bag, but Big Agnes has a big following.

[Iowabowhunter]

nice thing about my sleeping pad is that it fits in the sleeping bag perfectly. the z-lite pad is strictly for torture/glassing purposes only as that thing is horrible to sleep on!

I'll take a look into a compression sack for my bag, any particular brand work well?

[Iowabowhunter]

Last time I tried to put my bag into it's "compression sack" it was like pulling teeth haha.

major struggle to get it in there, but once it was I was able to strap it to the bottom of my pack. Didn't try to get it in the pack, maybe I'll try that.

my sleeping bag is a treated down mummy bag so it's quite fluffy I guess is the word.

[DarkTimber]

Originally posted by Iowabowhunter:
nice thing about my sleeping pad is that it fits in the sleeping bag perfectly. the z-lite pad is strictly for torture/glassing purposes only as that thing is horrible to sleep on!

I'll take a look into a compression sack for my bag, any particular brand work well?

I use a Granite Gear Air Compressor and really like it.   With a 15 degree down bag and a compression bag you should be able to easily fit it in your pack.

If you're just using the Z pad for glassing I'd also consider ditching that and just bringing a small pad to sit on. That's a lot of bulk to be taking when you really only need something for your butt to fit on. Thermarest sells a Z-Seat pad for $10 that I use and can fit it in the lid of my pack.

[Iowabowhunter]

I'll take a look @ a smaller pad, thanks for the heads up!

[Iowabowhunter]

Do you put the sleeping bag into a compression bag and then put it in the granite gear deal? feel free to pm/email me if that's easier

[Tim in Wa.]

might take a look at Kifaru compression bags.They tend to take a long skinny shape as opposed to round like a ball.The former is easier to pack for me anyway

[DarkTimber]

Jacob,

The granite gear compression sack replaces the stuff sack that came with your bag.   It is basically a stuff sack with reinforcing on each end and straps in the middle to suck it down as small as possible.

I use the extra small size but my bag is 850 fill and a much narrower cut than yours.   650 down isn't going to compress down quite as small so you may need to go a size larger.  The best thing to do is to put your bag in the factory stuff sack then measure it's dimensions.  Then buy a compression sack with similar dimensions.

[Iowabowhunter]

Sounds good, picked up a sea to sum mm it compression sack similar to that granite gear, haven't gotten to play with it yet but thanks for the idea!

[Iowabowhunter]

I was told that rather than trying to roll my bag up n then putting it in the stuff sack, it is better to literally stuff the sleeping bag unto the stuff sack, anybody heard of this?

I always rolled my bag up n then tried to jam it into the sack

[wingnut]

Just stuff it.  That's why it's called a stuff sack.

Mike

[Matty]

I have a lost ranger, and it packs pretty small. I put it in my bag FIRST toward the bottom. Worst case you can put it at the top of the bag under the top flap portion.
Oh ya don't roll it.  My dad taught me to roll it years ago, then some friends taught me better. STUFF THE SUCKER. works waaaayyyy better.

[Iowabowhunter]

Hence the name "stuff sack" I suppose huh!

Forgive my ignorance on this issue guys, still a backcountry newby

[Matty]

Pm me with your cell number I'll show you 2 ways I pack it when I get home this afternoon.

[Iowabowhunter]

Thanks sir, PM on the way!