Just wanted to get some information to help plan my trip. I don't have backpacking experience but am an active hiker out here in hawaii. Being said, I don't get to test cold weather gear unless I'm in the movie theaters with freezing a/c. Joking aside, i was originally planning a nobo trip in 2015 but my timeframe moved up and can start sobo June 11/12th, 2014. I felt confident starting with my cold weather gear, shipping it home at warmer wether then getting it back in New England. Now, as I am going southbound is there a similar strategy? Would it be recommended to carry my cold weather gear (20 degree down bag, down vest) until passing through the Whites, then getting my warmer gear (40 degree quilt). With my inexperience I'm leading to holding my colder weather gear until confident it's gonna stay warm. I will post my gear later if requested, but would like to get others logistical approach to gear changes going southbound.