Original Mountain Marathon (OMM)
Looking to strike the right balance between warmth and weight is difficult when conditions on the OMM can vary between wet and wild at one extreme and decidedly chilly, even freezing at the another. On cold mountain nights one wants to rest and sleep well.
OMM Sleeping Bags
The two PHD sleeping bags which have been chosen most frequently for the OMM are the Minimus and the Minim 400. The Minimus excels at saving weight and bulk in your pack, while the Minim 400 ensures secure warmth if the temperature dips.
The Minimus has been used below zero on many occasions, but mostly in competitions where only one or two nights camping were involved. The OMM can be a fully committing mountain race and under cold conditions the argument for extra comfort (Minim 400) is strong. The Ultra, the lightest of all the PHD bags is a third option, if down clothing is included in your kit list (See the notes below).
The basic figures for the standard models:
| S-bag | TOT (Min Temp) | Weight | Packed size Hght x Diam (cm) |
Price £ |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | F | gm | oz | |||
| Minimus | 5 | 41 | 465 | 16 | 21 x 13 | 192 |
| Minim 400 | -5 | 23 | 670 | 24 | 28 x 17 | 240 |
| Ultra | 5 | 46 | 345 | 12 | 21 x 13 | 189 |
Additional points:
- TEMPERATURE RATING: Put simply these are the temperatures at which you should be able to get a night's sleep in normal circumstances. For fuller details about the TOT rating see this Technical Briefing.
- LINERS: A liner will add to the insulation if you choose the Minimus or the Ultra, but want more warmth. As always it is a trade-off between the extra weight & bulk and the warmth you gain (maybe 2C). Silk liners at 140gm probably give the best value.
- CLOTHING: Thermals (if you are taking them) and/or other clothing obviously help to keep you warm. If choosing the Minimus or the Ultra, an Ultra Down Vest at 150gm is an optional addition for minimal weight.
- FABRIC OPTIONS: The Minimus and Minim 400 come as standard with M1 outer fabric. MX and Drishell are the other optional outers for these two bags. MX is our lightest fabric and reduces the total weight by about 25gm. Drishell is highly wind/water resistant and adds about 25gm to the total weight.
- DOWN OPTIONS: You can opt for 900 quality down in the Minimus bag, which will provide the same insulation as the standard 800 while reducing the total weight by 40gm.
- ZIPS: None of these bags has a zip. Zips are an option, but most competitors don't ask for one. A short zip with draft tube adds about 55gm (2oz): a full zip & tube adds about 120gm (4oz). Zips also add to the packed size.
- PACKED SIZE: PHD stuff sacs tend to be on the loose side. All these bags can be compressed further in your sac, particularly the Ultra.
Figures for Fabric/Down options:
| S-bag | Materials | TOT (Min Temp) | Weight | Packed size Hght x Diam (cm) |
Price (£) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | F | gm | oz | ||||
| Minimus | MX outer | 5 | 41 | 440 | 15.5 | 21 x 13 | 202 |
| Minimus | MX & 900 down | 5 | 41 | 400 | 14 | 21 x 13 | 227 |
| Minim 400 | MX outer | -5 | 23 | 645 | 23 | 28 x 17 | 250 |
OMM Down Clothing Selection
The OMM weekend commits the racer to a quite considerable time at the evening campsite after the first day's racing. What's more the clocks move back an hour at 2:00 am on the Sunday morning, meaning an even longer period in camp before the chance to warm up on the second day of racing.
The use of down clothing as a layering system while in your sleeping bag and for wearing around camp is worth considering for ultimate weight saving and provision of warmth. The ultralight range of clothing was designed with this need in mind. The Ultra vest weighs only 150grms, which is lighter than most T shirts, yet it will provide real warmth down to approximately –5C. The Ultra Pullover is for the same reasons another good option. At 230grms it's about half the weight and bulk of a conventional fleece jacket and 100% windproof as well. The Minimus range including the Minimus Jacket, Minimus Vest and Minimus Pullover are also suitable for the OMM. Along with these our new Minimus down trousers and Minimus down socks will add considerably to the performance of your sleeping bag.
The Original Mountain Marathon takes place on 23rd and 24th October 2010.
Photo: Sleepmonsters
