View Full Version : Am I good to Go? (gear for Mt Sterling Loop in Nov)
I'm hiking a loop to Mt. Sterling in the Smokies next weekend. Here is my clothing/gear list for camp and sleeping in.
Warm socks
expedition weight polypro bottom
Fleece pants
Rain pants
expedition weight polypro top
montbell thermawrap parka
rain jacket
polypro bavaclava (however you spell it)
hat
polypro glove liners
warmer snow gloves
15 degree down bag
prolite 4 full length
Think I'm ok? Any other suggestions would be great.
bobgessner57
11-18-2007, 20:11
That would keep me warm. Did a similar loop from Big Creek around to the AT a few years ago Thanksgiving weekend and was glad I had similar camp clothing. I assume from the first line of your post that you have lighter clothes to wear while hiking. The temps could be quite warm or nasty cold. My hydration tube froze as soon as I popped up onto the ridge at Camel Gap. Cold but drop dead gorgeous.
I may see you this weekend. Considering that loop myself or may do a section out of Erwin.
Just a Hiker
11-18-2007, 20:47
Sounds good to me.......have a great hike. I notice you are from Louisville, Ky so I have to ask.....What the Hell happened to the Louisville Cardinals football team this year? They were my darkhorse BCS Championship team this year, and it seemed that everything went wrong. I have alot of family in KY, so I always pull for Kentucky teams. Anyway, have a great hike!!:)
Just Jim
Thats good to hear. The first time I went backpacking I did this loop; took all cotton clothing and an inaccurate "20 degree" bag. It was miserable. I'm looking forward to doing this again being much better prepared.
Bobgessner: We are leaving from Big Creek Friday. Hope to see you there.
Just A Hiker: I have no idea what happened to our team, not sure if anyone does. Luckly for us it's basketball season and all is well...for now at least haha.
Ridgerunner50
11-18-2007, 21:19
Nice loop trail. We did that loop 2 years ago. Beautiful views from the fire tower. Big Creek is my favorite spot to hike out of in the Smokies. There are alot of loop possibilites with 2 fire towers and several waterfalls. The water source is a ways DOWN the mountain from Mt Sterling:eek: camp site. Have a grat hike and hope the weather is great. Oh, your clothing list looks good to me also.
saimyoji
11-18-2007, 21:45
If you have a backyard suggest you camp out a few times with only the gear you'll be taking. The only way to know if you'll be okay is to do it. I've been testing gear the past few days....really happy to see snow today, I'll give all my winter gear a good test. :cool:
There was a thread recently on the water situation on Sterling. I was there in late Oct and it was just a trickle. Another recent thread was on snow in the higher elevations, so it may be better now. (Just something else to check on before you leave!)
Tom
There was a thread recently on the water situation on Sterling. I was there in late Oct and it was just a trickle. Another recent thread was on snow in the higher elevations, so it may be better now. (Just something else to check on before you leave!)
Tom
Last weekend, before the snow, the spring at campsite #38 was listed as dry on the notice board at the ranger station. The people we camped near Saturday night at campsite #39 said it had been 24 degrees Friday night (Nov. 9th) on top of Mt. Sterling.
Yeah I'm a little worried about the water source at #38. It it still listed on the Smokies website as having water problems but the guy I talked to when I made the reservation said it wasn't on a list of his. I really don't want to bring more than I have to since the climb is a pretty big one. But then again it would be bad to run out and not have any to cook with or for the next day down.
I'll probably just call the Park's backcountry info office tomorrow and see if they know.
generoll
11-20-2007, 22:26
Mr Parkay hiked the BMT SOBO through the Smokies last fall and as I recall he found the campsite on Mt. Sterling dry. (Based upon a conversation at SoRuck 2007)