Partnership shelter NB

[codpilot]

Heading out late for me this year. Normally I hike in May, but this year no go.

So... Doing about 2+ weeks starting in late July, starting at Partnership shelter going North. Normally I schlep a 20 degree bag, but I'm guessing that would be a bit warm? :confused: I have a light weight 40 degree bag that I can carry - is that good? :-?

What about water and other conditions that time of year? I've had no problems with bugs in May (LOL) how about now?

Any advice is appreciated!:banana

Hope to meet some of you this year!

[Kerosene]

I'd go with the 40-degree bag this time of year. Bring along a fleece and a pair of camp socks and you can always wear them to bed to add a bit more warmth if needed.

[codpilot]

A silk liner for the bag? Too hot, sleep on the bag, just right, bag too cold liner and bag.

Anybody know the temps in the hills that time of year? Water supplies? etc?

Most times I've gone out just after rains (except one year) so water has never been a huge concern.

Thanks for the help 8)

[johnnybgood]

I'd watch the weather forcast before heading out 'cause the unbearable heat that we normally have in July has been persistent now for weeks.
Of course knock off 3 degrees for every 1000 ft . of elevation gain.


Take the 40 degree bag ,no liner unless your a really cold sleeper.

Bring DEET and Permitren spray for your clothes , the skeeters could be bad and the biting flies have been nasty this year.

In regards to the mountain streams and springs , they are drying up in this heat. Check back again in July before you leave.

[Berserker]

Yeah, I agree with Kerosene on the 40 deg bag, and some extra clothes just in case. Hard to tell what it will be like a month from now, but it's been a considerably warmer (about 10 degrees on average) than normal spring/early summer so far this year. As for bugs, just the normal VA fare. Maybe a random mosquito here or there, and some black and deer flies. Ticks are the bigger concern in my opinion. Make sure to regularly check yourself for them, and get 'em off if you find one. There's been an abnormally high rate of Lyme's cases reported in VA this year (mostly in Northern VA), so just make sure to be diligent in checking yourself. If you are a DEET user, that stuff seems to work fairly well as does permitherin on shoes and clothing.

Johnnybgood brings up a good point in that we had an extremely wet winter and early spring, and suddenly the weather patterns have changed drastically. It hasn't rained here in a couple of weeks, and if that keeps up things will start drying up.