Concerns about Cold

imported
#1

Hi Hikers,
I’m looking for anyone who’s pretty experienced with the Colorado Trail, and/or hiking at those elevations during the month of August. I’m actually also looking particularly for a female’s point of view, but I won’t be picky about any advice.

I’m concerned about being cold, after I stop hiking for the day. I’m having a hard time getting a handle on what type of extra layers I should bring. I’m average-to-thin and I usually feel colder than others.

All the beautiful pictures I’m seeing of the trail always seem to show the hikers really bundled up… I did research and noted that the average temps in August for Vail (8,000’) are 40 (low) and 75 (high) and in Climax (11,360’) are 38 (low) and 68 (high.)

I’m just having a hard time imagining the temps and what my body might experience after a long day of hiking. Any advice would be appreciated!
Laurie

Laurie

#2

I am a +60 female who gets cold easily, especially when I am tired. On the Colorado Trail, I would put on my warm hat as soon as I stopped for the day. By the time dinner was ready, I would have added my fleece and wind jacket. I do not have a puffy jacket. If I did, I would have worn that instead of the fleece. I love to sleep high with the incredible sunsets and sunrises so I sleep in a 20 degree bag inside a tent. I get up early, 5:00 am, to put in miles before the storms come so I needed warm clothes again in the morning. This is my experience with cold as I section hiked the CT over several summers from mid-June to the end of August.

Turtle Walking

#3

Hi Laurie. I am always cold too. Layering is the key. I bring one set of clothes that will keep me warm for the lowest temperature I might reasonable expect to encounter. I have this set split up into numerous thin layers. I use primarily merino for base/next to skin layers as it wicks and insulates even when wet. My next to outside layer is a light (6 oz) down vest, topped with a goretex non-insulated rainshell jacket. (marmot, arcteryx, etc)

Upper body: wool tee, vented hiking/fishing shirt (sun, wind and bug protection) merino midweight hoodie, 600 fill down vest, arctery’x rain jacket.

Bottom half: compression shorts, merino long john bottoms, zipoff convertible pants with DWR finish(durable water repellent) and rain pants (arcteryx, marmot, etc)

If it gets so cold and miserable that I can not handle the temperature in this outfit, It is time to get in the tent and wait out the storm in my sleeping bag.

Merino socks. 2 pair for hiking, one different colored pair I use for sleeping only.

I have been in low to mid 20’s in August on Vail Pass in this setup and was comfortable (in a low spot, by a creek (colder)) In August you are going to have chilly mornings, but it warms up pretty quickly in my experience. So long as you can get your body temperature first thing in the morning, you will be OK. Just don’t wear any cotton.

Stephen

#4

In addition to the above advice, I would suggest switching out of your day/hiking clothes an into camp close as soon as convenient. Letting the day clothes dry and air out as you are prepping dinner.

Bill T

#5

My wardrobe for the CT was 1) two pairs synthetic socks 2) 2 pair syn underwear 3) two syn long-sleeve T’s 4) light nylon pants 5) micro-fleece long underwear top, bottom and balaclava 5) Columbia rain/wind jacket 6) knit syn gloves. I never got cold but did have issues with my gloves getting wet/soggy. Next time I’d use neoprene/waterproof gloves.

Ditto to what Bill T said about changing out of day clothes.

bowlegs

#6

One other strategy is planning your day to sleep at a lower altitude although not in an area with water or that is narrow and small that could hold an inversion: can be really cold a and damp in some of those canyon like areas,

Laurie

#7

Best piece of equipment I ever bought was a UL down jacket. On the JMT I would put it on right after stopping for the day and it was the last thing I would take off before starting to hike in the morning. There were a few mornings we started with the down jacket on, but not for long. Got to keep it dry though. I keep mine in a small one liter Seatosummit waterproof sack. Packs down to the size of a baseball. Four of us are starting the CT 8/4/15.

Ned

#8

Thanks to everyone for the advice - very excited!

Laurie