Hi,
I’m seriously thinking about starting my AT hike this year in Harpers Ferry, WV at the end of May headed NOBO and reaching Katahdin in August. I’ll return to HF for a SOBO trek finishing in November.
I assume I’ll be able to start with my summer bag so here’s my question: Where or when do you think I need to plan on getting my winter bag sent to me?
Thanks.
icantsleep
Hey Man,
On my 2008 THRU - I had my winter bag sent to me in Glencliff, NH. There was no way that I was going to go into the White’s without it.
If I had to do it over again, I’d probably grab it right in Hanover. I had a few cold nights between Hanover and Glencliff where I wish I had my winter bag.
Hope this helps.
Low
I hiked in 2007 I was cold in vt and had my bag mailed to me in Hanover as well. I could have used it earlier. I got to Hanover July 4. It does not really matter what month you get to Hanover leave Hanover with your winter bag or don’t ask our opinion.
youngNdum
icantsleep -
I was a bit in Hanover/Glencliff a bit after you will be there I think. I arrived in Hanover on the 10th of August - and I was in Glencliff a few days after that.
Even if I arrived in Hanover during the dog days of summer (mid-july) I would still grab my winter bag then. Major storms producing high-winds, cold-temps, and snow can come at anytime in the Whites. Just make sure you are prepared, and you’ll be good. I’d def. say winter bag by Hanover the latest.
YoungNdum - you nuts bro!
Low
we went into the whites toward the end of july and had our winter gear sent to us at glencliff…but what paw and i are wondering, will you need winter stuff when you come back down to virginia?..if it’s mid to late august, or even early september, maybe not?..i dunno…maybe some of the other ‘flip-floppers’ out there can help us out here…
maw-ee
You can start on Springer in mid-late May and be on Katahdin by mid-late October…
Bubble Boy
It takes all the time pressure off. He/she won’t have to worry about getting to Katahdin before it closes, or dealing with cold weather in New England or summer heat in the south. It’s much nicer to be able to hike without worrying about a schedule, or having to make big miles whether you want to or not.
AS to the original question - it really depends. I used a 20 degree bag for the entire trail. I was cold a couple of nights in the Smokies and in Maine, but I was usually fine. In summer I just slept on top of the bag or with it wide open. It was about 90 degrees when I picked up the warmer clothes I’d sent ahead to Glencliff and it was really hot again when I left Gorham but I was glad I had them when I had to deal with all day rain going over Mt. Washington and a couple of cold wet days in Maine, but a lot of the time they were excess baggage. But that was in September. You might be able to get by with a 40 degree bag until September, if you have a warm jacket, hat and gloves with you. I’d certainly pick that up in Hanover, if you aren’t carrying them with you all along.
Ginny
I live in NH and have hiked here all my life. You do not need a winter bag in the Whites during the summer months. While it does occasionally get cold and very rarely snows at altitude in summer generally the weather is mild. If you bring some warm dry clothes to sleep in just in case you will be fine. The key is to beware of the weather prior to going into the mountains and be prepared to sit out a day or two waiting for the weather to clear. You are never more then a full days walk to get out to a road and in most cases a considerably shorter distance. After you flip I do not think you will need it until September however my experience hiking down south is very limited.
Big B
Thanks for the information everyone. Ginny, did you do a flip flop? If so, I’d be interested in checking out your journal.
icantsleep
No - I did a straightforward NB hike both times on the AT. I have a good friend who did flip though. She started in Damascus in late May, hiked north to Katahdin, flipped south and finished in late fall. She had a terrific hike. Her journal isn’t online any more - sorry. Another friend tried to hike northbound starting in June, but the heat in Georgia and NC really got to him and he ended up quitting in VA. He came back the following year and hiked straight through, starting in April.
I’m just someone who loves thruhiking and wants to enjoy the experience as much as possible. I like to spend time on the trail and in nature so I try not to hurry. I have never allowed myself to be pushed except when water was an issue. I did two five and a half month hikes on the AT, two six month hikes on the CDT and can’t wait to go back for more. Our PCT hike was faster because of water issues - and I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much.
YMMV
Ginny
Hi I hiked fro HF to Springer Sobo the time of year you want to do it. You can read my journal in trailjournals put Cedar in search box on initial page then choose pika on PCT Cedar on AT 2007. I used a 15 degree bag and was still cold in the smokies - the main reason I was cold was that I had a foam sleeping pad - if I had an inflatable pad I would have been much warmer. Also wear a warm cap at night. In georgia the water in my water bottles started freezing while I hiked during the day time one time.
Cedar
Cedar