Temperatures

[wally]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?

[kayak karl]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?
GOOD QUESTION. i was wondering also if there is a site out there with past highs and lows out there. ill be in Georgia in Oct.:-?:-?

[Egads]

Prepare for single digits, but most likely will see low teens.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KGABLAIR5

[Greentick18d]

Here's the averages at weather.com for Hiawassee. Keep in mind that every 1000' in elevation you subtract 3-4* and that these are averages. The coldest temp you encounter will surely be 10* lower than the rating on your sleeping bag;).

[bigcranky]

You can expect temps in the teens (F) fairly often, and they may dip into the single digits a few times. A lot depends on whether you start at the beginning of February or the end -- that makes a big difference.

That said, we've had some screwy weather the last couple of years. Daytime highs can range from 20-F to 70-F.

[Time To Fly 97]

I had a night on Cheeowah Bald that was in the teens. In the morning there was thick white frost everywhere...like someone spraypainted everything white. Kinda cool. Thankfully some old guy who was a lot smarter than me was telling everyone to bundle up...I wore all my clothes and was comfortable in a 20 degree bag and tarp.

Got some snowy days too, especially near Gatlenberg.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[Time To Fly 97]

Didn't read the whole thing - my experience was in early April. You could see single digits for sure.

TTF

[boarstone]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?

If your starting in '08, shouldn't you be in New England by now? This is 08':D

[Tinker]

If your starting in '08, shouldn't you be in New England by now? This is 08':D

Good catch! :0.

Remember, the temperatures these folks are talking about are Farenheit, not Celsius.
Zero in Celsius is 32 in Farenheit.:-?

[paradoxb3]

It may be GA, but be prepared for anything. it will be cold. and it will remain cold for a long time. I had GREAT warm weather on my 2 day hike from amicalola to woody gap on March 1st and 2nd. Then a couple weeks later, mid march, I did woody gap to NC, and encountered 2 or 3 sub-freezing nights. The earlier u start, the longer you'll have to carry (heavier) cold weather gear. I dont plan to start my thru until at least mid march. I can tolerate cold weather pretty well, but i'd rather not start out miserable.

[wally]

yeah my mistake i am goin next year (altho i haven't seen my buddy around for a while...)
thanks for the responses, very useful 4 getting the right kit!

[veteran]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?

Temperature chart from the ATC (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1025291/k.72A0/Average_Temperatures.htm)

[4eyedbuzzard]

Temperature chart from the ATC (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1025291/k.72A0/Average_Temperatures.htm)

It is stated on that chart, but just be sure to remember to factor in both altitude and the fact that those are average temperatures. You have to be able to stay warm up on the mountain at the same time the temps are below average.

I think I'd select gear based on worst case being about 10 - 15F lower in summer months and up to 20 - 25F lower in winter months than those average temperatures listed. For example, with a Feb start you'd better be able to survive single digit temps if they happen. Same thing in summer, low 40's at night aren't that unusual in VT, NH, ME in the mountains and sometimes it dips below that.

I'd plan sleeping bag wise for being able to stay comfortably warm while wearing my base layer inside the bag.

[Datto]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?

If I was to start northbound in February 2009 I.d plan to see 0*F temps occasionally. Starting in February will make your pack much heavier than usual for a thru-hiker. Make sure you carry something to cover the front of the shelter from the wind in case you have to barricade into a shelter for a day or so to get out of the cold temps (such as a large tarp and some screw hooks to hang the tarp across the front of the shelter).

Make sure you carry a warm hat and gloves. That.ll be most important int he cold temps of February -- if it gets so cold you don.t want to hike you can just get into your sleeping bag to warm up. I.d imagine you.ll be plenty warm while hiking -- only when you stop hiking for the day will you start getting cold very quickly.

Datto

[Bare Bear]

For me it was never the nights, you (should be) in your nice warm bag. I froze twice when hiking in hours long rain/sleet/hail storms. Once I got to a shelter I could not wait to get into dry clothes, then into the bag. Fortunately I was aided by a hiker buddy once with a gallon of hot chocolate/coffee he had ready and shared. The second time I was alone all night and had to cope by myself, no fire (wet woods) just lots of fuel used that night to make hot drinks and a 32 oz water bottle heater for the bag.

[Roots]

I'm planning a thru-hike in starting in georgia february 08 and was wondering what people reckoned was the coldest nightime temperature i'd experience?
One of the things that I noticed the most when I was on the trail in April was that people underestimated the southern mountain climate changes. I live in Western NC and trust me, it gets cold. Is it always below freezing? NO, but it can be very cold. This area, including GA mountains, are very windy in winter months. Our highs can be in the upper 40s or lower 50s, in the day, but the wind will cut you in two. The south is very prone to freezing rain. Freezing rain is 10x more dangerous than snow down here because of the wind factors. I think it is great that you asked about the weather because not a lot of people do even when starting earlier in the year. I enjoy winter hiking here in the south. It is better weather than what you get up north in the winter. But we still are prone to some fierce stuff. Hope you have a great thru!

[minnesotasmith]

GOOD QUESTION. i was wondering also if there is a site out there with past highs and lows out there. ill be in Georgia in Oct.:-?:-?

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USGA0052?from=search

[Cool AT Breeze]

I started Feb. 8th on Springer. My second night out it got down to 16 degrees on Sasafrass Mt. with very little wind. When I got to Neels Gap on Feb. 13th it got down to 12 degrees with 45 mph winds. It was cold, I stayed two nights.

[john gault]

I was on Springer on the 8th of March 2008 and the temps got down to 17 with a wind chill of what must of been close to zero.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=24271&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6936

[George]

if you can be comfortable at 0-5F with your setup than you can make it through the night alive and unharmed at 10F below you may not encounter the coldest night until the higher elevations of the smokies

[max patch]

Is it just me, or is Nancy Pelosi one hot babe!

Its just you.

[john gault]

Its just you.
Yeah sure, and you don't lust over Hillary, yeah right:cool: