Do I need more than a softshell/rain jacket April 18-May 8 Springer to Damascus.

[Trance]

Wondering if I can skip bringing my Atom SV jacket I wear when it is cold and just carry a rain/soft shell with wool long sleeve base layers when needed.

Thanks.

[Trance]

Oh also.... I dont expect to make it to Damascus in that time.... just talking about that section of the trail.

[swjohnsey]

Think I would take some sort of light insulating layer for top.

[flemdawg1]

Always bring raingear, 10 essentials.

[QiWiz]

From 4/9 to 5/1/2011, Springer to Hot Springs, had some nights below freezing with frozen mud on trail and/or a thin layer of snow or hail. If you don't mind getting into your sleeping insulation earlier than planned if/when you get cold in camp, you might be fine with less of an insulating layer to wear in camp. You do need something to wear if it is cold and raining, at a minimum to keep cold rain from chilling your warm sweat and making you hypothermic.

[Spirit Walker]

We had snow during that timeframe on both my thruhikes. In 1992 it snowed above Damascus a week before Trail Days.

[max patch]

I'd take a 200 wt fleece and a rain jacket. I'm not familiar with the Atom so can't comment specifically.

[moldy]

You need to bring your coat. It's you last defense for the cold. You can always make a nice pillow out of it if I'm wrong.