Any females want to start, late Feb, 2010?

[ShelterLeopard]

Hey- So I'm a solo female thru hiker (age 19), and I was just wondering if any other females want to start the trail together. (I don't care what your age is) Just for the first couple weeks, because I think I'm really a solo hiker at heart, but I also think I could use some moral support for the first week or two. (The first week is the hardest, after all) And we don't have to hike side by side, just meet up at breaks and at night. I'm staying at The Hiker Hostel on February 22, and heading to Springer on the 23rd. So, anyone want to join me?

(And I figured I'd get a couple days head start on the March 1st crowd, so as not to start with too many people)

[ShelterLeopard]

....................................

[Corrigan]

I'm not a female but I'll be there around the same time.....Feb 18-22ish. Have you decided on what cold weather layers you're bringing? I can't seem to find a decent weight with what I want to bring(and probably won't till the night prior to leaving haha)......

[ShelterLeopard]

I'm having the same problem! I've only just figured out which cold weather sleeping bag I'll get (Mountain Hardwear 15 degree phantom, I think), and I think I'll get a down puff jacket, because they're light, warm, and half the thru hikers I've met swear by down puff jackets. But apart from that, I'm still figuring it out.

I've been for plenty of long hikes, but only during the summer. I've only ever hiked in colder weather in October (it was unseasonally cold), and it was a really short trip- only one night. I'm considering just going to my favorite hiker/gear shop and telling them to just pick out my clothing for me. (Of course, my bank account will be painfully dry after that, I'm sure)

I figure (so far) puff jacket, thick socks, and tights (or tight stretchy pants, anyway), and beyond that, I'm not sure. I used to carry a really thick wool sweater (which was really warm) but it is really bulky and a bit heavy. ARGH!!!

[ShelterLeopard]

And I was going to leave more like February 15, but I have to work until February 18th or 20th, so I opted for the 23rd. Are you hiking with anyone? (I'm looking for a female hiker to start out with just to put the fears of my mother and grandmother to rest- they are a little nervous about my going solo, so I compromised and said I'd hike with someone for the first two weeks or so to get into the hang of it all.)

[Corrigan]

I'm going solo. Was supposed to thru hike entirely but I need to be back for work now. So I'm going to get as far as I can get before June 1, then Sobo the rest in the fall. I just got a new bag, North Face Cat's Meow....great bag, super warm, but I feel trapped in it. Still undecided on whether or not to keep it...... also will have my new Osprey Exos 58. Pretty pumped about the pack, probably the most comfortable bag I've ever carried....

[ShelterLeopard]

I'm going solo. Was supposed to thru hike entirely but I need to be back for work now. So I'm going to get as far as I can get before June 1, then Sobo the rest in the fall. I just got a new bag, North Face Cat's Meow....great bag, super warm, but I feel trapped in it. Still undecided on whether or not to keep it...... also will have my new Osprey Exos 58. Pretty pumped about the pack, probably the most comfortable bag I've ever carried....

I was looking at the Exos 58 too! In Harpers Ferry I'm making a COMPLETE switch out of gear- my family is coming to meet me there, and they'll stay in HF with me for a couple days, so they can take my cold weather gear home and bring my warmer stuff, and I think I'll switch out my Jansport Klamath 72 for the Osprey Exos 58 (the 46 seemed too small) because I'll have less gear and need something awesome like the Exos. I'm actually switching out almost everything in HF- sleeping bag, clothing, pack (probably).

(I tried on a friend's osprey exos and it pretty much sold me)

[BrianLe]

Sorry for the thread drift, but on the topic of cold weather layers, I'm thinking of a Feb 25th start, and plan to use a 20F Western Mountaineering down bag, with a tent that provides no warmth but a very light bivy sack (which should). Clothing to wear inside the bag to augment for me will be Integral Designs Hot Socks, Backpackinglight.com Cocoon pants, and a Montbell Thermawrap jacket, and two warm hats layered. I like to layer the hats for flexibility in staying warm-but-not-too-warm. Inner "hat" is a thin balaclava which can cover my nose (nose can get painfully cold when temps drop), and outer hat is a peruvian style synthetic.

If it's too cold for that combination, I'll likely want to get off trail and wait out whatever conditions are making it so ...

In terms of going solo, I think the first time on a long hike feels that way to everyone, and perhaps especially so for young females. After I finished the PCT last year one of my daughters expressed interest in doing it, and my reaction was quite different from what it would have been before --- having experienced what the on-trail community is like, I no longer had the "OMG, my daughter hiking alone" reaction.

I'm not saying that starting with someone is necessarily a bad idea (if for no other reason than to reassure friends and relatives back home), so long as it's understood from the start to be a "loose" association that either/all of you can break at any time with no hard feelings. The best trail partnerships form on the trail.

[ShelterLeopard]

Sorry for the thread drift, but on the topic of cold weather layers, I'm thinking of a Feb 25th start, and plan to use a 20F Western Mountaineering down bag, with a tent that provides no warmth but a very light bivy sack (which should). Clothing to wear inside the bag to augment for me will be Integral Designs Hot Socks, Backpackinglight.com Cocoon pants, and a Montbell Thermawrap jacket, and two warm hats layered. I like to layer the hats for flexibility in staying warm-but-not-too-warm. Inner "hat" is a thin balaclava which can cover my nose (nose can get painfully cold when temps drop), and outer hat is a peruvian style synthetic.

If it's too cold for that combination, I'll likely want to get off trail and wait out whatever conditions are making it so ...

In terms of going solo, I think the first time on a long hike feels that way to everyone, and perhaps especially so for young females. After I finished the PCT last year one of my daughters expressed interest in doing it, and my reaction was quite different from what it would have been before --- having experienced what the on-trail community is like, I no longer had the "OMG, my daughter hiking alone" reaction.

I'm not saying that starting with someone is necessarily a bad idea (if for no other reason than to reassure friends and relatives back home), so long as it's understood from the start to be a "loose" association that either/all of you can break at any time with no hard feelings. The best trail partnerships form on the trail.

And Brian- I am looking at the Montbell Therma wrap too- do you already have it? Is it comfortable and warm enough? And I love solo hiking, but everyone I know doesn't really hike, so they are all nervous. And the two reasons I thought of doing the first week or two with someone are to keep my family satisfied, and it might be good to have some moral support for the first week.

[Blissful]

Starting in Feb your gonna be cold with 20-25 degree bags (I had a 15 degree). Make sure you at least bring a liner.

Have fun planning, it's a great time...

[ShelterLeopard]

I'm gettin the 15 degree phantom for Feb. and the 30 degree Phantom for May and on.

[BrianLe]

"And Brian- I am looking at the Montbell Therma wrap too- do you already have it? Is it comfortable and warm enough?"


Yes to all of the above, with the huge caveat that what's warm enough for one person isn't for another. For the weight, however, my ~2-3 year old Thermawrap jacket is a great piece of kit. Note that sizes tend to run a little small; in thru-hiking condition size medium fits me fine, it's a bit more snug when I'm in city-fat condition (like now), but still fits. In general, I'd suggest sizing it up from "normal", however.

For 3-season hiking the Thermawrap jacket is all I use, but I don't tend to hang around in camp (toasting marshmellows or whatever) --- if it's on the colder side in spring or fall, I crawl into the sleeping bag.

I guess another data point is that I never try to hike in the Thermawrap, even for a short time, or at least it would have to be bloody cold before I'd try. But I tend to "run hot", YMMV a lot.

But don't rely on just my comments, it's easy to find reviews online, such as at http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...wrap%20Jacket/

[ShelterLeopard]

"And Brian- I am looking at the Montbell Therma wrap too- do you already have it? Is it comfortable and warm enough?"


Yes to all of the above, with the huge caveat that what's warm enough for one person isn't for another. For the weight, however, my ~2-3 year old Thermawrap jacket is a great piece of kit. Note that sizes tend to run a little small; in thru-hiking condition size medium fits me fine, it's a bit more snug when I'm in city-fat condition (like now), but still fits. In general, I'd suggest sizing it up from "normal", however.

For 3-season hiking the Thermawrap jacket is all I use, but I don't tend to hang around in camp (toasting marshmellows or whatever) --- if it's on the colder side in spring or fall, I crawl into the sleeping bag.

I guess another data point is that I never try to hike in the Thermawrap, even for a short time, or at least it would have to be bloody cold before I'd try. But I tend to "run hot", YMMV a lot.

But don't rely on just my comments, it's easy to find reviews online, such as at http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...wrap%20Jacket/

I'll be starting in February- do you think it'll be warm enough? (I can always add a layer or two, of course)

[bigcranky]

Speaking about the Thermawrap jacket,

I'll be starting in February- do you think it'll be warm enough? (I can always add a layer or two, of course)

No, it won't. You can expect low temps in the single digits on at least a few nights that time of year at the highest elevations. I would be prepared for some very cold nights through mid-April, anyway. The Thermawrap Jacket is a very nice jacket, but it doesn't have anywhere near the loft to keep an average hiker warm sitting around camp much below freezing. (And my poor wife would freeze in it below 50. But then she's always cold.)

My personal opinion is that something like the Montbell Alpine Light jacket would be a better choice. The hooded Parka version is even better. Not as light as the Thermawrap, but you'll appreciate it. Even that isn't enough for extended very cold conditions.

The 15-degree bag is a decent choice, maybe the bare minimum for an early start. You'll want warm dry clothes to sleep in, and a warm puffy jacket to layer over your torso on the coldest nights. I always carry a warmer hat and gloves for camp use and sleeping, too.

Two pieces of good news:

1. You have all winter to fine tune your system. You can car camp or sleep in the yard in the coldest possible weather -- it'll help a lot. Even better, go for a walk with all your gear -- a couple of overnight hikes will fine tune your system. Be safe and stay close enough to bail if you get too cold.

2. At the 30 mile mark in Georgia, you'll come to a great outfitter. If you are too cold, they'll help fix that.

Somebody back in this thread mentioned going to an outfitter and just asking for all the right clothes. This is a good idea ONLY if that outfitter is has experience with AT hikers. If there is any way you can go to Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap for a day, that's the place to go.

I wrote my thoughts on cold weather layering in a post here.

Happy trails.

[Disney]

I took my little sister hiking in February when she was about 20. It was in Tennessee, so it was similar terrain. She had a 5 degree bag, with a liner, and was cold.

If you're set on taking a 25 degree bag in February, here's a little tip.

Boil water before bed, pour into a Nalgene bottle, push Nalgene down into the bottom of your sleeping bag. It will keep your feet warm. If you want, you can throw in some tea bags and have strong tea in the morning that's been seeping while you've been sleeping.

[ShelterLeopard]

Thanks Disney (I'm taking a 15 degree), and before I thought I wouldn't need a liner....hmmmm, maybe I'll have to rethink that.

[Disney]

Pick up the liner. They're not that expensive, they're light weight, compact, and you'll be glad you did. They're also easy to clean (much easier than a sleeping bag) if that sort of thing appeals to you.

[ShelterLeopard]

Yeah, it does- thanks. I'll pick one up this weekend.

[BrianLe]

"I'll be starting in February- do you think it'll be warm enough? (I can always add a layer or two, of course)"

I'm starting in (late) February too, and using the Thermawrap as my only torso warmth layer, but again --- people and their metabolisms and sense of what's "warm enough" can vary a lot. Adding a layer or two is in fact something I cannot do on the trail; I don't have another layer or two to add. If I'm too cold in the thermawrap then I'll just be fast and efficient at camp chores and if it's evening then climb into the sleeping bag, if morning then start hiking and let body heat work its magic.
Picking the right mix and amount of clothing and other gear is definitely intertwined with the way in which it's used, your backpacking "style" if you will.

I've often heard of the boil water and put in nalgene trick, no doubt it's nice; a nalgene is IMO too heavy a water bottle. The trick that I prefer is to do jumping jacks or (if already in the bag) sit-ups to generate some body heat.

A bag liner is one of those (many) things that opinions differ on, to include how much it keeps you warmer. I'll start on the trail with a bag liner because I'll be borrowing my wife's 20 degree bag --- about the only times I want a 20F bag are times that she doesn't want to be out backpacking, so this seems to work well for us. For the most part I'm not a huge fan of liners unless walking in areas where I tend to get particularly dirty/muddy (I sleep with my hiking clothes on). I don't think they keep you all that much warmer; my bag liner weighs 4.6 oz; for just over twice that weight I can go from a 32F bag to a 20F (down) bag, a difference that's hugely better than the paltry gain from a silk bag liner.

I'm not saying these things to talk you out of starting with a liner; you can always mail it home if it drives you nuts (some people don't like wrestling with it, feel tangled up, etc, for others the silk liner just clings to them and turns when they do).

[Corrigan]

Good info all, thanks....I'm a liner fan as well, they're light, cheap and work well...... I'm heading out to do a 30 mile loop next weekend in Pisgah, should be nice weather! I'm psyched=)