hump mountain in the winter?

[jodestick]

i am thinking about doing a two day hike around the hump mountain area right after christmas. i would avoid roan and start just after that, going north, all the way to 19E. does anyone know if there will be too much snow or wind making it a bad choice? i plan to stay at the overmountain shelter and maybe doll flats. any advice is appreciated.

(i have some experience with winter camping, but i don't have crampons, snow shoes, or anything like that.)

thanks!

[Lone Wolf]

you won't need snow shoes or crampons. there's probably a few inches of snow up there now but by xmas it should all be gone. temps will be in the 40s during the day, 20s at night

[Flush2wice]

Keep an eye on the weather right before you leave. Be prepared for below zero temps, but unless theres a major blizzard you shouldn't have any problem. The road to Carver's gap can be tricky. I did a 720 driving down the NC side a few years back. Heres a link to the most accurate weather forecast for the area. http://averyweather.com/Stations. Click on Sugar Mountain (top) and Beech Mt for similar conditions to Hump.
Contact Mountain Harbor B&B at http://www.mountainharbour.net/. They are on 19E where the trail comes out. You can park at their place since vandals frequent the trail head parking area. They may also be able to shuttle you to Carver's Gap.
It's an easy 1 nighter, not really a 2 night trip. IMO, Over Mountain Shelter is the best on the trail.

[Lone Wolf]

www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/TNROAN:13 looks like fairly mild weather after xmas

[Gray Blazer]

There it is.

[earlyriser26]

One of my favorite sections. Great views and well graded trail. Overmountain is one of the top 5 shelters on the trail (good area for tent camping just before shelter + 2 good springs). You should have no problem unless a storm is expected. Only problem we had in May was an over curious bull checking us out on Hump (open range). We didn't stop at Doll Flats, but camping looked OK. The Spring looked a little swampy (water an issue?). Good Luck....

[Flush2wice]

www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/TNROAN:13 (http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/tenday/TNROAN:13) looks like fairly mild weather after xmas
Problem is that's the forecast for 3000' below Hump Mt, and it's the Weather Channel.
This forecast goes to Monday and it calls for a high near 20.
http://averyweather.com/Forecast/Beech+Mountain
I'd take a zero degree bag.

[jodestick]

thanks so much for the help. you guys are always very helpful! i have done this section several times, i was just wondering if the weather would be to bad. thanks for the info! :sun

[Tennessee Viking]

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/boatandbeach/map/interactive/37601?from=36hour_map_large&zoom=7&interactiveMapLayer=radar

I would keep an eye on the weather. Dec 16, the East Tennessee got dramatic drop in temperature and a pretty good snowfall in one day. I saw Sams Gap and Big Bald Mountain get covered in snow from the interstate. Temps went from the highs in the 60s down to lows 20s just in the cities. I was just at Dennis Cove and saw at least 2 to 3 inches on the ground, and ice on rocks. Expect high winds on Round and Jane Balds. The Roan Highlands can get some bad weather. There were some NOBOs that got hit hard by a surprising spring snow storm.

Bradley Gap is known to get some very strong winds and fog. Water sources would begin to freeze at some of these temps since they are just recovering from the draught.

I will probably be around the lower elevations around Roan Mtn in the meantime. I will check things out.

[Footslogger]

i am thinking about doing a two day hike around the hump mountain area right after christmas. i would avoid roan and start just after that, going north, all the way to 19E. does anyone know if there will be too much snow or wind making it a bad choice? i plan to stay at the overmountain shelter and maybe doll flats. any advice is appreciated.

(i have some experience with winter camping, but i don't have crampons, snow shoes, or anything like that.)

thanks!

========================================

The wind might get your attention ...

'Slogger

[envirodiver]

Last time I was there in Jan-Feb the wind got my attention on Little hump and then smacked me upside my head on Big Hump.