Cold weather gear, late April?

[Pony]

I'll be on Springer April 23rd, and was just wondering if I'll be missing most of the cold weather. Here's the rundown on my clothing.

1 polyester t-shirt
1 polyester short sleeve button up
1 light fleece
1 heavy fleece
1 pair zip off pants
1 underarmor longsleeve shirt
1 underarmor bottoms
2 pair silkweight boxers
3 pair merino wool socks
Frogg Toggs rain gear(I plan on using this as an outer shell also)
1 pair gloves
1 fleece cap

My question is, how much of this is unnecessary? Starting towards the end of April could I start without the thermals, or should I keep all of this until after the Smokies? Thanks for the input.

p.s. The sun finally came out here, and I think my fever (Springer fever) is getting worse.

[dessertrat]

I would skip one of the fleeces at least.

[max patch]

I left 5/1 on my thru and still had snow flurries in the GSMNP.

[take-a-knee]

Trade the heavy fleece for a Patagonia Puffball vest.

[emerald]

Even given your late April start, you should be prepared for snow in the Smokies. You might get some; you might not. Be prepared regardless.

AT hikers on a typical, traditional NOBO hike schedule are usually advised to hold onto their colder weather gear until Pearisburg and pick it up again at either Hanover or Glencliff. It might be advisable to lighten your pack earlier.

I'd be interested were I you in Lone Wolf's opinion on this matter. Perhaps he will see this post and reply. If not, you might PM him.

[emerald]

I'd be more concerned you're carrying an adequate sleeping bag and to what extent you have tested it under field conditions similiar to what you could reasonably expect. I think we have reached general consensus here previously that if you get cold and wet, you should consider stopping early and get into it asap after putting on what dry clothes you have, rather than sitting around a fire attempting to get warm.

[Appalachian Tater]

Remember that it doesn't have to be cold for you to get hypothermia and you can get cold wet conditions at any time up in the mountains.

[emerald]

I think most experienced outdoorsmen and women agree the most dangerous conditions commonly encountered are those just above freezing when one gets rained upon or when one encounters the unexpected unprepared.

[Pony]

Thanks for the info. I think I will err on the side of caution, and if I find some of my clothes are not needed just send them home. As far as my sleeping bag goes, I feel pretty confident with it. About twelve years ago I went accross country with a friend and one of our first nights we spent at Devil's Tower Wyoming, in July. This was when I learned that even if it is 80 degrees during the day, temps out west can get very cold at night. Nearly froze my butt off that night, but the next morning I spent a good chunk of change on a Northface +20 bag. It is still in really good shape and has been tested repeatedly over the years. Just last fall I spent a few nights in it where the temps were in the twenties after raining all day and was quite comfortable. I think I should be alright, but am prepared to adjust if need be. Thanks again.

[Pony]

Also on a side note, I have a down jacket as well. While I don't intend on starting with it, would it be wise to have it sent to me before entering the White Mountains, or would that be overkill?

[emerald]

I doubt you'd find it necessary so long as you are on schedule to reach BSP by October 15. Add back in what you send home at Glencliff just before your 1st climb above treeline. The most important items you should put back into your outfit are are gloves or mittens and a balaclava or watch cap. The wind can get blowing up there and conditions change quickly.

[JAK]

I think most experienced outdoorsmen and women agree the most dangerous conditions commonly encountered are those just above freezing when one gets rained upon or those when one encounters the unexpected unprepared.Also remember you can get rain below freezing also. I think the worst in woods is when you get rain with lots of snow on the ground, so you end up with lots of soggy snow sometimes even with deep water underneath where you may not expect it. Then after a good soaking maybe the temperature dropping down to 10F or lower before you get a chance to dry out. And all this after getting blown off the mountain in the first place, to escape from the wind.

I know its always possible to come up with rediculous scenarios, but I think its useful to consider benchmarks like hiking in 30F with wind and rain and all your clothing wet, or sleeping in 20F without the wind, but with all your clothing wet and your sleeping bag fairly damp. One should not expect to be comfortable in such conditions, but the clothing and gear choices could be made with such conditions in mind. A good heavy sweater, and a mix of wool and synthetic skin layers and fleece extra layers, and at least one shell layer top and bottom and a decent rain layer on top is a good start. Down I don't care much for, except in the sleeping bag, and there not to save weight but to add warmth. From there its most a matter of experience in knowing what to expect, when and how to conserve energy when you need to, and to keep stuff dry when you can and dry stuff out as best you can when yoiu can.

[JAK]

I haven't hiked the AT, but here is what I would suggest based on the following principles.

1. Clothing that you can wear all at once in the most extreme weather.
2. Heaviest wool sweater that is not to warm for hiking if worn alone.
3. Light packable skin layers, normally packed.
4. Light packable wind layers, normally packed.
5. Fleece over layers, only if you need a wider temperature and wetness range.
6. Light but non-breathable waterproof rain jacket or poncho for the heavy stuff.
7. Comparable gear for head, hands, and feet.

Top: 1 skin layer, 1 wool layer, 1 fleece layer maybe
1 polyester short sleeve button up - merino wool instead ???
1 heavy fleece - medium wool sweater instead
1 light fleece - 100wt fleece large enough for over wool sweater
1 polyester t-shirt - leave home
1 underarmor longsleeve shirt - leave home

Bottom:
2 pair silkweight boxers - 1 pair enough given the following
1 underarmor bottoms - 4-5oz polyester, warm for weight
1 light fleece - 100wt weighs about 8oz, overkill but good choice
1 pair zip off pants - just shorts might be better given the above
1 heavy fleece - leave home

Head/Hands/Feet/Rain:
3 pair merino wool socks - 1 pr light, 1 pr medium, 1 pr heavy
1 pair gloves - light fleece (wool socks plus 2 breadbags when needed)
1 fleece cap - make this a light wool cap plus light fleece balaclava or scarf
Frogg Toggs rain gear - my choice would be rain poncho plus wind jacket

I think a brimmed sun/rain hat is also very useful in a variety of conditions.