I’m thinking of hiking from Erwin to Damascus the last week of December. Does anyone know if there are snow accumulations up on the higher peaks this time of year? Are snowshoes needed? If I need snowshoes is there a place to rent them in that area?
Thumbkin
i was in asheville, nc monday, and the tops of the mountains were white with fresh snow. it snowed another 4 inches yesterday in the area. up near damascus, it porbably snowed more!.. take the snowshoes! it’s alaska type cold in this area this week.
Big Dee
I just came down from near the Beauty Spot a few minutes ago and there is about 6-8 inches of snow. The SoBo hikers here now said that there was a foot or more on Roan and Unaka but drifts up to thigh high in a few places. It is really cold right now with lows near 0 for the past few nights. But it could warm up and melt it all in just a few days. Such is early winter in the south. I never see anyone “need” snow shoes in this area but they could be fun.
Miss Janet
Just what type or depth of snow needs to be present to be able to stay on top of the snow in snowshoes? If the snow is fresh and powder (not packed down) won’t your snowshoes just sink into the snow?
JAWS
The likelihood of powder snow is low in the NC mountains. We almost always get the wet, heavy variety (which didn’t make being a ski instructor very fun during college at ASU.)
Speaking of which, I’ll be up hiking around Pond Flats after Christmas for a couple of days. I was planning on trying out the OR Advanced Bivy for the first time. Has anyone else used a bivy sac in cold weather conditions? Tried it out in the backyard in Raleigh last night (temp in the low twenties) and didn’t have any problems at all, but that is a far cry from the wind and possible snow of the NC / Tenn mountains.
Ambler
A Bivy works fine once you climb into the sack and settle down for the night. Just remember, the nights are almost 14 hours long at this time of year! Which means you will be standing around for a long time in the wind/snow/slush/sleet/rain mix we get here in the south. In Winter, I bring a 10 by 10 tarp as well. Insurance.
CitySlicker 73
I can’t help with the snow amounts in the south or whereabouts for rentals but I can help with the other questions about snowshoes. The optimum depth is over one foot of snow but they can help keep your feet and legs dry at lesser depths. As for powder snow, that’s really what they are designed for. They spread your weight over a greater area and keep you from sinking down too much. They are not very comfortable in sticky or slushy snow as the snow sticks to them and they get heavey quick. Just remember if you are not hiking in consistently deep snow they are probably just extra weight for what they are worth.
OB