NOBO Early March Night time temps

[SamDaOgre]

Hello all, I will be thru-hiking the AZT NOBO in Early March. It will be my first Backpacking in arizona. I was wondering, will a 30 degree bag in a tent work, or do I need to cough up the extra dough for a 20 degree bag? I'm not familiar with night temps in the desert at all. Thanks! (:

[Tough_Boots]

@SamDaOgre

The AZT is not all "desert". I believe there's a good 8,000 feet of elevation between the low and high points-- so think versatility.

[MattaBhikes]

The South been around 30 or so it's had snowed up here in Payson night been in the high 20's around 3 to 6 am

[te_wa]

that's kinda the PITA with the AZT. you might spend Monday at 2,300 feet in a valley, then Tuesday at 8,600 feet at manning camp. I have 2 sleeping bags (quilts) but supplement my 35° quilt with down jacket and pants, if I know it will be colder. for me, even worse than being cold, (which I control w/ method mentioned above) is being too hot in a bag that doesn't vent well. I guess that's the bonus for sleeping with quilts. YMMV.

[azbackpackr]

@te_wa
Exactly why "quilt" is on my wish list. I almost never zip my sleeping bag! It's a 15 degree Marmot Helium.