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OK, a quick question for all you southerner's who spend time in the Smokies year-round.
Will a good quality 20* bag be a good choice for an October, possibly into November section in the Smokies and north for a few weeks? Can assume other decent insulating layers to supplement if necessary.
If not, what range is recommended?
I use a 30* bag. If i'd be out for a couple of weeks, then I would take my bag liner. A 20* bag might get a little warm if the nights don't cool down much. One of the nice things about the internet is the extended forcast. One thing to remember is a cold night, with no sleep, makes for a long day of hiking.
My daughter and I were in the Carver's Gap area of Pisgah National Forest last November and there was some snow (nothing major) at the higher elevations and I used a 30 degree bag with a fleece liner and some long underwear on and did fine. If I recall temps got into the low twenties but were probably in the high teens in the higher elevations. Assuming you have good sleeping pad and some winter clothing with you, I think you would be fine.
Yes, a good 20-F bag should be sufficient for the Smokies in Oct- early Nov.
yes. dittoQuote:
Originally Posted by bigcranky
20 is fine.
I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, so I just wanted to let you know that a 20*F bag should be fine in the Smokies during Oct - early Nov.
:rolleyes:
I used a 20 degree bag last Oct/Nov for a section hike from Unicoi Gap to Winding Stair Gap, and it was perfect. I would have been cold had I used a 30 degree bag. If its too warm, you can always use it quilt style and ventilate occasionally.
Lately, we have no idea what to expect. For the past two years, I have had the windows open in my house at 2000' between Christmas and New Years.
It could be in the 50', it could snow. However, I use a 20 degree bag in Smokies for the most of the year (with an external shell in the winter)
The one exception is Mt LeConte. No matter when I am up there, it is about 10 degrees colder than anything I expected.
I used a 20 degree bag with a bivy cover in Jan 08 on a section hike from Davenport Gap to Fontana. Coldest night was 0 degrees. I was able to sleep all five with no problems nights by wearing an extra layer of fleece.
I lied about no problems with sleeping during my hike. I had to deal with some serious condensation that was created by my bivy, but other than that I had no problems
I use a 20 degree bag for 3 seasons and a zero bag during the winter here in the mountains. You will be fine using a 20 degree bag in the Smokies. :)
Ditto.......Quote:
Originally Posted by Chip