PHD Mountain Software

Sahara Race - Egypt

The Sahara Race is one of the 4 Deserts Races: a seven-day, six stage, 250-kilometre race across the Sahara Desert in Egypt. Each competitor carries his or her own gear, food, clothing, and sleeping bag. Tents are provided and set up at each over-night campsite. The 'Race The Planet' series is a unique annual set of seven-day ultra challenges set in very remote regions of the world. Most of the races are in dry desert regions. However one is held in Antarctica. 'The last Desert' race offers something of a very different nature. Table 1 shows the current calendar of 4 Deserts and other Race the Plant (RFP) Races.

Table 1: The Race The Planet series

Down Sleeping Bag Selection

For The Sahara Race as with all desert ultra marathons a balance needs to be struck. Running in the heat of the day you need as light a load as possible. However on cold desert nights you need to rest and sleep well to recover for the following day's challenge.

The two PHD sleeping bags most suitable for the 4 Deserts Sahara Race 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 4 Deserts Sahara Race is much longer and the argument for extra comfort (Minim 400) is strong.

There is a third bag, the Ultra Sleeping Bag, which is a choice for the extra-competitive or the hardy: it is the lightest bag of all, but you may have chilly nights. It is well worth considering layering up with Ultra down clothing inside the Ultra to give flexibility and comfort.

The basic figures for the standard models:

Additional points:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. CLOTHING: Thermals (if you are taking them) and/or other clothing obviously help to keep you warm. If choosing the Minimus or the Ultra bag, an Ultra Down Vest at 150gm is an optional addition for minimal weight. The addition of Minimus trousers and Minimus socks also can make the difference in securing a full nights sleep.
4. FABRIC OPTIONS: The Minimus and Minim 400 bags come with M1 outer fabric as standard. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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:

Down Clothing selection

The nature of these challenges commits the racer to a considerable time at the evening campsites, so the use of down clothing as a layering system while in your sleeping bag, and for wearing around camp, is a distinct option for ultimate weight saving and provision of warmth. The Ultra range of clothing was designed specifically for this need. The Ultra vest weighs only 150grms, which is lighter than most T shirts, yet it will give real warmth up 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. Also consider the new Minimus trousers and Minimus socks, which can add considerably to the performance of your sleeping bag.

The next 4 Deserts Sahara Race starts on 3rd October 2010.

Photo: amerune