Hello, I was wondering when folks mail their cold weather gear back to themselves. I should hit the whites in mid august. Should I have my gear then, or can I wait until Maine???
Ponch
Cold weather gear
system
#2
Harley died of exposure in the Whites in mid August in '02. We had frost the morning we went up Mt. Washington about 8 days before Harley died between Madison Hut and Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington can be dangerous any day of the year. We got our winter things in Hanover, NH. But I would suggest no later than Glencliff, NH just before Mt. Moosilauke.
Papa Smurf
system
#3
Treat the White Mountains like winter, even in the middle of the summer.
There are signs up there saying “World’s Worst Weather” and advising you that the highest recorded windspeed in the word, 237 mph or thereabouts, was recorded on Mt. Washington. Subfreezing temperatures, high winds and snow are possible at any time. Bring your winter gear and don’t think twice about it.
Conan
Conan
system
#4
I’m in the area right now at 4:30pm and it’s 57 degrees with sustained 60 mph winds and wet on the summit of Mt Washington while I understand the rest of the country is suffering from a heat wave. Yep, I would take something warm to wear and something windproof.
Stumpknocker
system
#6
OregonHikerDave,
Layers, light materials. I had a Smartwool tee shirt, poly tee, silk long sleeve (top and bottoms), EMS pullover mirco fleece, and a frogg togg top for rain and wind. Sent the bottoms home because I used the long gaiters. I had a balaclava and a ball cap. Gloves were wool glove liners (GI issue). If it got real cold I use a pair of my wool socks as mittens. We hiked one day with a 15 below wind chill in the morning and it didn’t get above 12 degrees all day. I was very comfortable while I was moving. It was the only night I cooked in the vestibule of my tent while in my sleeping bag. I perfected my gear after years of hunting and fishing in the winter. I would suggest you get out everytime it gets below freezing and put your pack on and hike. Around your neighborhood is fine. Pitch your tent and cook and sleep in the yard until you work out your system. We saw hikers quite in GA in '02 because they were not prepared for the very cold weather.
Papa Smurf