PHD Mountain Software

The Last Desert

The Last Desert Race is one of the 'Race The Planet' series, and is held biannually in Antarctica. This six-day race covers stages totalling 250 kilometers. The competitors sleep safe and warm on the ship, however it is mandatory to carry safety gear onto the Antarctic Peninsula during the races. The list of mandatory equipment includes sleeping bag and down jacket suitable for a minimum temperature of –9c. Down equipment suitable for much colder temperatures than this may prove a rational decision.

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 this one is held in Antarctica. 'The last Desert' race offers something of a very different nature.

Table 1: The Race The Planet series

Down Sleeping Bag Selection

In the interests of lightweight and ultra marathon racers, we're going to concentrate only on our lightweight sleeping bags. The mandatory minimum sleeping bag performance for the Last Desert race is –9c. This starting point is covered by the Hispar 400. Other Hispar bags to consider are the Hispar 500, Hispar 600 and Hispar 800. All are considered as lightweight mountaineering bags. The Minim 800 is a true light weight racer's sleeping bag, with minimum features and minimum weight. The Minim 800 down sleeping bag has a simple collar and a wider differential cut. Apart from that it is like all the Minim range, no zip, no side-block baffles, no compromise—the nearest thing you can get to carrying just the down.

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. 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: Down clothing is an excellent way to improve insulation by layering up while asleep. The Yukon Jacket and the Hispar Jacket are both ideal lightweight items to sleep in
4. FABRIC OPTIONS: The Minim 800 is available in M1 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. ZIPS: Optional full-length zips extend the use of these bags at different temperatures and altitudes.
6. PACKED SIZE: PHD stuff sacs tend to be on the loose side. All these bags can be compressed further in your sac.

Figures for Fabric/Down options:

Down Clothing selection

The two down jackets to consider for The Last Desert Race are the Yukon Jacket and the Hispar Jacket. Both are ultra lightweight. The Yukon is specifically designed for racers moving light. The Hispar Jacket is designed for mountaineering with a full length back and large hood. However, at 700 grams, it is extremely light and therefore also considered an excellent item for racers.

Other items to review on the kit list are the Xero Mitts and the Omega Mitts. The Xeros are lighter, the Omegas more durable and taped for waterproofing.

The next 4 Deserts Last Desert Race starts on 17th November 2010.

Photo: giladr