Early Start

[egilbe]

I use only a large xtherm during winter but curious if and how much a car sun shade really does when using a high R value pad like the xtherm.....I actually pulled a car sun shade out of my neighbors trash a few weeks back......work carrying? Yea I understand pads leak or pop so is it mainly back up insurance?


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I'm pretty sure those car sunshades are only R1 or something low like that. 1/2" thick foam pad is R2.

After Georgia comes the Smokys, that is where you will need to be ready for the cold due to elevation.

still sub freezing temps in April. Can snow in May.

[MuddyWaters]

I imagine that the weather for an early start in Georgia is similar to the "shoulder season" weather around here. (Georgia doesn't get "deep winter.".)

Id suggest that they do, but only for 2-4 days at a time, a few times per winter, followed by rapid warming to normal again. Most hikers ride these days out in town, which is easy enough when you know they are coming.

[Fredt4]

"Along with many of the other people both answering questions on these forums and frankly, successfully hiking the AT.
I strongly disagree that having to ask questions means a poster doesn't have a clue. That's just a jerk statement!"

I agree with the Jerk asking is for fools, but it's better to be a fool and ask. Try out your solution before it's a requirement and you'll be in a good position. 20° seems sufficient to me but I've tried it and know it works for me. Will it work for you? As noted Georgia weather varies, some times it's very cold and a couple of days later it's not so cold or even relatively warm. I started on April 2ND 2011 and remember it was very cold when I was in the Smokies just past Clingmans Road. A week earlier it wasn't that cold.

[rafe]

Expect major variations in temperature. Expect cold rain. Suggestion: keep a subset of clothing that is vigilantly kept dry and worn only at camp (never while hiking.) That's your fallback for those really miserable times. You don't need a fire to stay safe, you need a tent (or other shelter) a dry sleeping bag and those never-wet layers. Hat and gloves goes without saying.

[Hikingjim]

that quilt is fine. You just need to find how much you need to add to it to stay warm. Do some testing
Personally, I would recommend adding a light weight summer sleeping bag under it and not a liner
And I would bring a down puffy for evenings and sleep. It can be a costco one or something if you want it cheap... they have 700 fp duck down ones very cheap and they're not that heavy.
Good sleeping pad for sure!

The good part about having multiple items is that you can send home some of your extra warm stuff once you get past the cold... and your ee 20 on its own will serve you well at that point

[George]

So I'm looking to start the end of february/early march. I am aware that this will result in me inevitably facing a lot of cold weather and snow, so i'm trying to plan for this. I have a 20 degree EE quilt on the way right now and i'm going to combine that with a sleeping bag liner, i was just wondering what else i should plan to bring.. i'm trying to stay lightweight but i also don't want to freeze my butt off.. will what i have be enough or should i look into something else?

try to spend a couple of nights out at 10F to test your setup, if you are comfortable at that temp, you will be alive 15 degrees less - so fine for end of Feb start

[Oslohiker]

So I'm looking to start the end of february/early march. I am aware that this will result in me inevitably facing a lot of cold weather and snow, so i'm trying to plan for this. I have a 20 degree EE quilt on the way right now and i'm going to combine that with a sleeping bag liner, i was just wondering what else i should plan to bring.. i'm trying to stay lightweight but i also don't want to freeze my butt off.. will what i have be enough or should i look into something else?

What you first off all need (my assumption), is winter hiking training. I would never dream about going into a forum and say "Hey, I got some water bottles and an umbrella, what other equipment do I need to cross the Sahara?". Yes, other peoples suggestions on equipment are good, but you have to build up experience and adjust your equipment, and have a open mind. First of all, light weight and winter hiking do not go together. Going light and with wrong equipment is how it gets dangerous, and people die or have to be rescued. If you have the right experience and are equipped, winter hiking is really safe, enjoyable, and even have it's advantages.

[l0ngterm]

Personally, I think Merino Wool base layers are much better at keeping me warm than synthetics. I like the Icebreaker 200g and 260 g pants and shirts.

[jeffmeh]

Here's a gear list from a 2012 February start. The specific items are less important than the strategy, which has already been stated above: Wearing every piece of clothing with the sleep system should enable survival under the worst case scenario, and provide comfort under reasonably expected scenarios. Note the two pads, the dedicated sleeping gear, the 20F quilt, gloves and overmitts, goretex socks, microspikes, etc. There are also some luxury items that could certainly be omitted, and this gear was for a relatively large man, so tends to weigh more than equivalents for someone smaller.

You will sleep much warmer in a tent than in an open shelter. You should know your best points of egress to lower elevations and civilization, particularly when you are traversing a range at elevation, so that means when you hit the Smokies you should have maps rather than just expecting to follow the white blazes.

It is definitely achievable with some good preparation and decision-making in the field. Good luck.

	Qty	Item	Weight (oz.)	Weight (lbs.)	Link
Big Three
	1	ULA Circuit	36.00		http://www.ula-equipment.com/circuit.asp
	3	Trash Compactor Bag	7.50
	1	Tarptent Rainbow w/ Liners	38.00		http://www.tarptent.com/rainbow.html
	1	Warbonnet Top Quilt, Long, 3-season	24.10		http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/topquilt.php
	1	Exped Synmat UL7 Med	15.20		http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped...7?opendocument
	1	Dyneema Cord (100 ft, 0.12 lbs per 100 ft)	1.90		http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?...ope=168&inst=1
	1	Polycro Sheet	1.50
	1	Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad 1/8"	2.60	7.93	http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/1-8.html
Cook System
	1	Penny Stove	2.60		http://www.acaircraft.com/pennystove/home.htm
	1	Grease Pot	3.80		http://www.stancometal.com/products.asp
	1	GSI Rehydrate Lexan Spoon	0.40		http://dealer.gsioutdoors.com/detail...bspoon%26&c=6&
	1	TrailCooking Minimalist Cozy	1.20		http://www.trailcooking.com/store/minimalist-cozy
	1	Pro Bear Bag System	3.20		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=79
	1	Fuel bottle	0.10
	1	Mug	0.80
	8	Freezer bags	1.60	0.86
Water System
	1	Platypus 2l Water Tank	2.70		http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/f...r-tank/product
	2	Water bottles	0.30
	1	Aqua-Mira Kit	1.30	0.27	http://gossamergear.com/etc/hydration/aquamira-water-treatment-105.html
Clothing
	1	Bug Head Net	5.00		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=66
	1	eVent Rain Mitts	1.00		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=51
	1	eVent Gaiters	1.70		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...roducts_id=114
	1	PossumDown Gloves	1.60		http://www.sheepskinstore.co.nz/en/cp/Gloves
	1	Kahtoola MicroSpikes	16.80		http://www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php
	1	Polypropylene Balaclava	1.00		http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AN62RC
	1	Black Rock Down Hat	0.90		http://www.blackrockgear.com/
	2	Ibex Woolies Bottom	12.00		http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...woolies-bottom
	1	Ibex Woolies Crew Long Top	6.20		http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product...s-woolies-crew
	1	Stoic Merino 200 Crew Long Top	9.50		http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-merino-200-crew-long-sleeve-mens
	2	Underwear - Stoic Merino Boxer Briefs	9.80		http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-merino-boxer-brief-mens
	1	Rain Chaps	2.20		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=77
	1	Packa	12.50		http://www.thepacka.com/
	1	Patagonia Houdini Jacket	4.30		http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-mens-houdini-full-zip-jacket?p=24017-0-614
	2	Socks	8.00		http://darntough.com/hike-trek-1405.html
	1	Goretex Socks	2.90		http://www.rockyboots.com/Product-Details/4636/1600FQ0008013/Rocky-13''-GORE-TEX-Socks/?mm_campaign=d62669ea9895c8ce1f6232236234fab7&mm_k eyword=%7Bkeyword%7D&utm_source=Google&utm_medium= Shopping&utm_campaign=Inventory%20Marketing&cvsfa= 3128&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=383031332d4d3131304d572d52
	1	Convertible pants	13.50		http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10970353
	1	Down Jacket	6.50		http://www.montbell.us/products/disp...0&p_id=2301344
	1	Shammy	1.60
	1	Bandana	1.00
	1	Crocs	15.80	8.36
Tools
	1	Leatherman Squirt PS4	1.90		http://www.leatherman.com/product/squirt_ps4
	2	Mini-Bic lighter	0.80
	2	Mini Cuben Ditty Bags	0.23		http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...roducts_id=171
	1	Headlamp	2.50		http://www.rei.com/product/793268/pe...2-led-headlamp
	1	Blackberry	5.70
	1	Charger Battery	5.00		http://www.seidioonline.com/charging...y-p/pbpt22.htm
	1	Compass	0.50
	1	Maps/Guide	8.70
	1	Duct tape	3.50
	1	ID/Cash/Credit Card	2.00
	1	Book	5.40	2.26
Hygiene			11.90	0.74
	1	Toothbrush
	1	Toothpaste
	1	Sun block
		Bug dope
		TP
	1	Sanitizer
		Camp soap
	1	Powder
		Vitamins
	1	Chap stick
First Aid			4.50	0.28
	1	Needle
	1	Floss
	1	Ibuprofen
	1	Immodium
	1	Cold Meds
	1	Antibiotic ointment
	3	Gauze Pads (4x4)
	8	Band-aids
	1	Blister treatment
Worn or Carried
	1	Underwear - Ibex Woolies Boxer Briefs	2.80		http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Mens-Boxers/Woolies-Boxer
	1	Shorts	3.20
	1	Stoic Merino 150 Crew Long Top	7.90		http://www.backcountry.com/stoic-merino-crew-shirt-long-sleeve-mens
	1	Socks	4.00		http://darntough.com/hike-trek-1405.html
		Merrell Moab Ventilator Trail Shoes	30.00		http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/12006M/0/Mens/Moab-Ventilator?dimensions=0
	1	Poles	17.40		http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/trekking-poles/distance-fl-trekking-pole
	1	Buff	1.40		http://www.buffusa.com/buffusa/collections/12
	1	Sunglasses	1.00	4.23
Consumables
		Water (2l)	70.55
		Food (5 days)	160.00
		Fuel (5 days)	12.00	15.16
Total Weight			641.48	40.09
Base Weight			331.23	20.70
Base + Consumables			573.78	35.86