Cold weather question

[foxinnc]

I'm heading out for a three day trip this weekend and the temperature is looking to be around 45 for the highs and 25 at night. I will be wearing a light pair of zip off type hiking pants while walking, but also bringing a base layer for sleeping as well as a pair of rain pants. Will the nylon pants keep me warm enough for the day?

Also, I plan on bringing both my thermarest pro lite and a ccf pad. Which setup provides the best warmth; ccf on top or bottom?

Thanks

[scatman]

Foxinnc,

Warmth is a very personal thing. It's different for everyone. I've hiked the Triple Crown and only ever had nylon pants and a pair of rain pants. I hike fast and don't get that cold. Once out of the desert I almost never wore the legs of my pants, even on cold mornings. I just got up and out of camp quite to get warm.
For night time I would have a pair of Ibex Woolie boxers and Woolie 1 Bottoms (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DDPI0U/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001DDPI0U&linkCode=as2&tag=advenofscatm-20&linkId=FRPLJUTVZITVXJYP">Ibex Men's Woolies Bottom,Black,XX-Large</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=advenofscatm-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001DDPI0U" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />). I only ever wore the bottoms if it was under 30 degrees (I have a 20 degree down bag). The key is knowing your body and the conditions. Hope this helps.

[nsherry61]

I would think that you would be plenty warm in just you nylon pants while hiking.

I find using my CCF pad on top of my air pad is notably warmer than the other way around. I don't know why. BUT, either pad, on it's own, should be warm enough down to about 20* for most people, although adding the extra pad may be noticeably warmer even if not needed.

[HooKooDooKu]

Sounds like you've got all you need... but as Scatman points out, it depends upon you.
Since you've also got a pair of rain pants, you can always add those if you find that your legs are getting too cold.

For me, since my body is generating heat as I hike, I'm usually hiking in shorts, t-shirt, and wool cap in those conditions, adding a jacket when I pause for lunch. The long pants don't usually come out until I get to camp.
Once I've cooled off in camp, I might add long pants, rain pants, long shirt, rain jacket, and possibly a 2nd hat. That usually keeps me warm enough until I'm able to take the rain cloths off to slip into a sleeping bag.

Because ccf pads are cheaper than a thermarest, I'd use the ccf as a protective layer to help ensure you don't puncture the thermarest.

[Connie]

Since you will have base layers with you, then, put on the top or the bottem, if you need it during the day.

This is a good way to find out your own thermoregulation.

For example, I don't need insulation on my arms especially, so an inner layer and outer layer and a vest is comfortable for me as long as I am active. If not active, I am tucked in my sleep system.

I also do not need more than a thin "silkweight" layer and an outer layer on my legs, unless wind-driven rain, then I want my thighs and knees protected from the wind (aka rain kilt or long rain jacket like ZPacks).

I find full coverage cold weather clothing are too much, for me.

If you have a hat and gloves, you can also use the hat and gloves to help do your thermoregulation.

When I was younger, I really needed turtle neck layers and even neck gaitors for heat loss thru the neck and throat area. Now, I strictly have mock turtleneck inner layers and outer layers. I would much rather add a neck and face wrap or have a balaclava, however, usually a beanie hat is sufficient.

These are things to find out.

As for wet feet? Cold and wet feet is miserable for me. How about you?

I have mesh hikers to drain and dry quickly. I have "vapor barrier" socks to put on for a wet water trail. I have water shoes for a wet-wet trail and for river crossings.