Clothes - John Muir Trail

imported
#1

I will be hiking the JMT in August and I’m trying to get my pack weight down. My base weight(pack,tent,sleeping bag and pad)is about 9lbs. My bear can stuffed with 5 days of food is 10-11 lbs. Trying to shave weight,by asking myself if I really need stuff.(like a book to read) I am trying to figure out if I could get by with a smartwool long sleeve,smartwool hat and my Precip rain coat to stay warm at night and the mornings or should I bring my down coat??? What clothes did you bring or plan on bringing on JMT???

Jason

#2

Hey J’. Weather in August up high us still warmish in the sun, or hot, like in the 90’s in direct sun with no wind. But then shade will drops temps back to 50’s. Nights can be at freezing over 9000’. Maybe occasional sleet showers. We do several thin layers instead of a down warmer. Silk weight long sleeve, some sort of medium pull over or zip up windblocking shirt and somethink like a Marmot DriClime Windshirt, which is a jacket. Super windblock to +60mph. I use mine on my motorcyle in 40* weather going to work with a cotton T under it and its fine. Then a rain shell. Don’t forget a fleece hat. Convertable pants. These few pieces will work fine and give you choice to layer as the temps change. If you have to hike in bad weather you can use your rain gear and underwear only and be warm. Remeber not to sweat is possible to avoid getting the chills.

Bushwhack

#3

Last September I carried:

Lower body: a medium weight pair of LJ’s, GoLite Whim pants, medium weight wool socks for warmth at camp, underarmour boxers and rip stop shorts.

Upper body: Light T-shirt, light weight Arcteryx fleece pullover, Marmot UL Thermawrap, fleece hat, fleece gloves, and a Frogg Toggs rain Jacket.

The only thing I would change would be the rain jacket–it didn’t pack small enough for me. Other than that, I was very happy with my clothing. The only time I was really cold was during the Whitney climb. It was the first snow of the season, and was around 20 degrees with 40mph winds, but I was only cold when I stopped walking.

weez