My clothing list- Will I be warm enough?

[ErickP]

I'm leaving Springer in mid April and I'm not sure weather (yes, I spelled it wrong on purpose) my clothing list will be enough to keep me warm. What kind of temperatures can I expect?

1 pair zip-off pants
1 pair shorts/swim trunks
2 short sleeve t-shirts
1 pair boxers
2-3 pair socks
1 fleece sweatshirt
1 lightweight rain jacket
1 wool hat
1 baseball hat

Should I bring a heavier jacket and/or long johns? If so, how long should I plan on carrying them?

[Smile]

It can still get pretty cold in April down south, thinking of SMNP. I'd have a warm jacket for in camp/night just in case. :)

[scavenger]

why do you need shorts if your pants are zip-offs?

[maxNcathy]

It could get very windy with temps down to about 10F.

So put on your clothes and go stand around in dark windy freezing temps and see how warm you feel.

I carry a down jacket for the cold times..Patagonia down sweater (9 ounces).

If the fleece you mention is extra thick it probably will do you while hiking but may not when stopped around camp.

Sandalwood

[Pedaling Fool]

Like everyone said, it can be very cold during your planned date, this was near Springer on 4/09/07 (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=17901&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6936) and it stayed cold for a good while thruough April and May.
Your list looks OK, but what's really important is:
- Have a plan/back-up clothes if when you do get wet.
- Do the layering thing during your hike so you don't sweat too much.
- How do you plan to stay warm during the night, while sleeping, it's pretty easy to stay warm while hiking, but sleeping is a different story.

[ErickP]

Thanks everybody. I wasn't expecting it to be so cold, so I will probably revise my list.

[Pedaling Fool]

... If so, how long should I plan on carrying them?
How long you planning to be on the trail?

[Yahtzee]

Dude, I wouldn't do too much revising. Drop a pair of the shorts and add another pants layer. Make one your two shirts long sleeve. That should be enough. Assuming your fleece is good.

[ErickP]

How long you planning to be on the trail?
I'm doing the whole trail in 4 months

[ErickP]

Dude, I wouldn't do too much revising. Drop a pair of the shorts and add another pants layer. Make one your two shirts long sleeve. That should be enough. Assuming your fleece is good.

I think I will be plenty warm while I'm hiking, so I could also just bring an under armour shirt and shorts as a base layer to wear in camp.

[Bulldawg]

I think I will be plenty warm while I'm hiking, so I could also just bring an under armour shirt and shorts as a base layer to wear in camp.


Is that Under Armour stuff pretty warm? I saw some of it at the local outdoors store yesterday and was wondering?

I am doing a three day hike late April from Springer, I wonder what I should plan to encounter?

[Pedaling Fool]

I'm doing the whole trail in 4 months
Is that because of time constraints caused by school?

[ErickP]

Is that Under Armour stuff pretty warm? I saw some of it at the local outdoors store yesterday and was wondering?

I am doing a three day hike late April from Springer, I wonder what I should plan to encounter?

Its keeping me warm right now as I sit at the computer. My parents have something against heat :D

[Pedaling Fool]

Like everyone said, it can be very cold during your planned date, this was near Springer on 4/09/07 (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=17901&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6936) and it stayed cold for a good while thruough April and May.
Your list looks OK, but what's really important is:
- Have a plan/back-up clothes if when you do get wet.
- Do the layering thing during your hike so you don't sweat too much.
- How do you plan to stay warm during the night, while sleeping, it's pretty easy to stay warm while hiking, but sleeping is a different story.


...I am doing a three day hike late April from Springer, I wonder what I should plan to encounter?
Check out the link above. It didn't warm up until late May.

[refreeman]

you need merino wool long johns

[River Runner]

I think I will be plenty warm while I'm hiking, so I could also just bring an under armour shirt and shorts as a base layer to wear in camp.

Better have at least a pair of long base layer pants. You probably also need something warmer than a fleece sweatshirt & an under armor shirt.

We ran into weather in the 20's in mid-April near Erwin this spring.

By far the best thing to do is to do some trial runs in cold weather, even if it is just staying out in your backyard sitting around for a few hours in the evening and then sleeping outside in your planned setup.

The sitting out is as important as the sleeping, so that you'll know if you'll be comfortable around camp as well as once you are in your sleeping bag.

[Appalachian Tater]

Dude, I wouldn't do too much revising. Drop a pair of the shorts and add another pants layer. Make one your two shirts long sleeve. That should be enough. Assuming your fleece is good.

What he said. You need some long underwear as a dry reserve and to sleep in. Make sure your fleece will keep you warm or consider a jacket or wool sweater instead.

However, I would consider keeping a pair of very light nylon shorts to do laundry and swim in. They might also come in handy if your skin gets irritated.

[TNjed]

make sure some of your stuff is windproof. The balds are really windy, and it doesn't stop.

[turtle fast]

Yep you need long johns...perfect for creating layers. You may not need the swim trunks as you have zipoff pants which work for swimming. Though I have used swim trunks to hike in and not needing underware. You Do need a long sleved shirt, to keep skeeters off you, and can add another later to keep warm keep it synthetic nylon or a combination of synthetic fibers. Dittos for the T shirts too...no cotton!!

[88BlueGT]

Heres what I have experienced with UnderArmor. They work, the reason why they work is because it doesnt release the air thats under it. Now, when your hiking you will get extremely hot in an insulated underarmor shirt. The problem is, if your at camp and you are wearing one, if cold air gets inside of it, the air seems to be trapped and you will get really cold and have no way to let the cold air out without lifting up your shirt.

[ScottP]

Assuming that you're starting around April 20th or so, If I were you I would get rid of the following

The rain gear,
the zip off pants
the underwear
the fleece
the baseball hat
one T shirts

and add a windbreaker (montbell, 3 oz expensive, REI/EMS brand, 5-6 oz and cheap) and an emergency poncho (2 oz, dollar store in case it does get really cold and rainy),

I'd take a 30-35 degree bag and just use one for the whole trail.

You might have 1 week that is touch and go, but the first week of the AT (before Hiawasee) is at pretty low elevations, so probably not even then. Just camp at lower elevations. If you're really that worried then just bring a dollar general/thrift store fleece that you can put in a hiker box after 1-2 weeks. If the weather gets cold just cook your dinner at around 3 pm so that you're hiking during the cold mornings and evenings, and relaxing when the weather is at its nicest.

[SlowLightTrek]

Great idea about the cheap fleece and the hiker box. Advise don't get any better than that. Although I carried my heavy fleece and hat all summer. Made a great pillow.