April in Georgia...What bag?

[Newb]

hey all. Judging by the weather the nights aren't getting below 40 in April. I'm gonna be hiking down there and am torn between taking my 20 degree North Face "Aztec" bag or a 40 degree bag. Any suggestions? Oh, and no hammock Nazis please

[Skidsteer]

I'd take the 20* in April, unless you're going for a short hike and very certain of the forecast.

It has been very warm this Spring so far, though.

[max patch]

20 degree bag. weather is still subject to change in april.

[Ewker]

I have a 45° and a 15° bag..I am taking the 15°..better safe than sorry

[weary]

In 1993 I started in mid-April with an ancient down sleeping bag liner, good for temeratures into the low 50s, upper 40s. I woke up several mornings with skims of ice in my cooking pot.

I survived by sleeping in long johns, dry wool socks and a down jacket to supplement my sleeping bag. That's a viable option. Not always the most comfortable option but one I've employed for decades in the interest of minimizing weight, and having a warm jacket for sometimes chilly evenings.

Weary

[rafe]

I recall about three or four sub-freezing nights during early April on the trail between Springer and NOC. The night at Muskrat Creek shelter was the coldest. Would have been warmer in my tent. D'oh.

[Newb]

I'll take a 40 and a 20 bag. I'll start with the twenty and leave the 40 in my car at the hostel. If the twenty is too hot I'll swap out at Woody Gap when I go back to the hostel.

[Egads]

Newb,

You do not say how far you are hiking or how many nights you plan to be out. Like Skids says, you should bring the 40* only if you will be out 1-2 nights & know the forecast. Unless, you have enough clothes/liner to take you to ~25* with the 40* bag. Also, Be sure to pack a light fleece hat.

Skids said this too, temps have been 10-20* above normal this past week. I slept in 48 & 56* last weekend, enough to unzip a 20* & quilt it.

I was caught in the 30*s last fall with a 50* bag. I got cold, but survived and learned. It's amazing how discomfort motivates a person to learn and adapt.

Egads

[Newb]

I'll be out for 10 days. I'll take the 20. I'll sleep on top of it if I'm too warm.

I jazzed. This is gonna be fun!

[Ewker]

Hey Newb, when in April are you going to be out. A friend and I are starting April 7th at Springer heading to Dick Creek Gap. maybe we will see you out there

[Newb]

Lol! I'm thinking of going down on the 6th and starting from the top of Springer on the 7th. How bout that?

[Ewker]

cool, we will see you then. It might be 10 or 11 before we get there. I am leaving my car at Cloud9 and getting a shuttle back to Springer. depending on the weather I may have on my WhiteBlaze t-shirt