April in Georgia?

[Neurosis]

Im arriving in Atlanta on April 1rst, I'd like to try and avoid bringing a lot of stuff that will become obsolete when spring/summer kicks in. Im no stranger to cold weather. But was just wondering for any of you who have started in April before what kind of layers you had brought, what you found usefull and stuff you thought was to much. Im not worried about comfort while im hiking im more worried about camp situations and trying to stay warm.

If warm weather isnt to far away, im not opposed to being cold for a couple weeks to reduce weight in my pack.

Tell me everything you know about April in Georgia!!!!
please...

[kanga]

try 4 weeks. mid april will see snow and ice on blood and the surrounding. water bottles will freeze in your sleeping bag overnight occasionally. take the warm stuff and mail it home in may. people tend to underestimate ga cause it's the so most point. bad idea.

[George]

what you need for 4/1 start is what you will want to finish in the north(able to deal with 20F and 35 with rain) send excess away after mt. Rodgers and get it back before the whites

[Neurosis]

Thats what I figured and I was hoping to be proven otherwise, but no avail. :(

[garlic08]

Yeah, I was thinking the same, leaving April 4 last year. Ended up hiking through two blizzards with temps in the teens in the Smokies and over Mt Rogers. I brought a down vest, 15* bag, rain jacket and pants, and very glad I did.

[MintakaCat]

The average low temperature in Hiawassee the beginning of April is 37. Hiawassee is only at the 2000 foot elevation. Nearby Blood Mountain is over the 4400 foot elevation. Yes, it’s going to be cold from time to time in Northern Georgia during April.

[Ekul]

GA weather is crazy until mid june then its just hot as hell. I would prepare for freezing temps as it could be 65* one day and 23* the next. check the weather for this weekend for an example. undergroundweather is what i use.

For those that dont know: if on trail and have a cell phone. * can text googl(46645) then enter weather and zip or city state and it will give you a weather update. comes in handy when youve been out there for a while

[Bulldawg]

Just FWIW, I talked to a hiker who was on Springer Saturday night. He woke up to 3 inches of snow Sunday morning on Springer. At my house, in Georgia, about 35 air miles away, and 2000 feet lower in elevation it was 45*F and sunny. So do not underestimate the weather in Georgia. There are not many towns high enough in elevation to get a good accurate weather idea in Georgia. Three weeks ago I left Helen, GA headed to the summit of Tray. It was 64*F and sunny. At the summit of Tray, less than 5 air miles away and about 2000 some odd feet higher, it was 40*F and socked in with fog. Just be prepared as te others have said.

[Neurosis]

Ive grown up hiking the Whites and spent at least 2 years of my life living there working for the AMC's Hut Croo's , Constructions Crews and visitor centers. I know all about how to prepare for drastically changing weather. I lived on the side of Mount Washington for a few months, you see a lot of bizarre weather conditions, so I think I have an accurate idea of what Im walking into.

[kanga]

yeah, but ga's the only state i know of where you use the ac and the heat in the same day.

[Roots]

For an April 1st start last year I used as my camp clothes:
Patagonia Capliene 3 top and bottom
Golite puff jacket
acorn fleece sox
Mtn Hardwear windstopper hat
weather proof gloves

I needed all of this 90 % of the time at night in camp until the end of my section on April 26th. It snowed on April 14th and was in the low 20s and upper teens many nights. Then again, the climb out of NOC it was in the mid 70s.

[Slo-go'en]

It's not Georgia you have to worry about, its North Carolina. Your up over 5000 feet much of the time and it can get pretty chilly - and snowy at times. One of the problems is when its cold, its often also wet. It's not until you get to Parisburg that you can count on it being reasonably warm most of the time, and thats 6-7 weeks up the trail.

[Spirit Walker]

Both my thruhikes were April 1 starts. I had snow on both ends of the Smokies on my first hike and at Jerry's Cabin and Whitetop on the second hike. Weather was very mixed. I wore shorts and a t-shirt in Georgia on one hike and had 20 degrees and ice on the other. Be prepared for cold (and possible snow) until mid-May.

[sloopjonboswell]

smokies can be colder as you get higher. i carried one 30 f bag the whole way and was comfortable in ga, freezing in nc. depends on how much snow you see. get gloves. love wool.

[MtnBikerGuy]

I section hiked the Smokies the first week of May a few years back and woke up to snow on the ground. Don't over plan for it, but be prepared to as least DEAL with snow or cold weather until mid-May.

[Blissful]

Yeah not sure why everyone thinks April means mild and snow free weather. We had teens and snow (twice)

And I would not want to be cold for a few weeks just to save a little weight. This makes no sense to me. Why do the trail to be miserable unless you're out to prove something? What, I'm not sure. But that's me I suppose.

So be prepared for everything.

[McKeever]

You would be well advised to keep all your cold weather gear until you hike beyond Mt Rogers in VA. Pearisburg is a good place to lighten your pack for warmer weather and nice long ridge walks.

[salparadise1970]

Concerning the cold, how much should individual tolerance be figured into the clothing thing? I live in upstate NY and find myself with less warm clothing than most. But of course, I am not spending all day outside in 20*. Anyone here "warm blooded" or "sleeps warm" etc.? And what is your take on a the weather from late March to late April?