I am starting a northbound thru-hike of the AT in early/mid March. What are the best gloves to take along? Also, what rating should my sleeping bag be? Thanks and I hope to see you out on the trail.
_DUBYA_Gloves on the AT
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#1
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#2
I started April first and used light polypro glove liners from EMS. I use them all winter here in NH hiking and keep mittins handy to pull over them. In April on the AT I just had the liners and never required anything else. As far as a bag goes I used a 25 degree bag with a silk liner and was occaisionly a little cold. In early march it would be even colder. It all depends on how cold you sleep. There were nights that I slept in polypro long johns, heavy socks and wore a hat to stay warm. Your better off being too warm and unzipping then too cold and having to suffer through a cold night hoping the day will get there soon. Sleep is very important to repairing all the muscle damage you just did during the day.
_Big B_
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#3
My thru hikes have started in May but I hike year round at home here in NH. I used to use glove liners but have really be won over by mittens 100%. I carry a pair of fleece mitten liners and a pair of waterproof or breathable mitten shells pretty much all year. The combination allows for so much flexibility in all conditions. Gloves isolate fingers from one and other. Mittens allow fingers to share warmth with each other. As far as dexterity goes, I can do almost anything with my mittens on. If not, just take them off for a moment. I may have mailed the shells ahead from the middle of June till I got to the Whites in August. They were light weight waterproof shells. You're gonna have a great hike.
_Voyageur_
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#4
I thru hiked in 2006, I hiked with a pair of Mountain Hardware fleece gloves until Tenn., then I sent them home. Didn't use them but once. Didn't want the weight.
_Caboose_
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#5
I carried primaloft mittens and a 15 degree down bag until after Mt. Rogers, if I were to do it again, I'd carry the same! Saw more snow than I expected, my hands get cold fast and I like to be warm!
_chickety_
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#6
I've tried several combinations to keep my hands warm, and in Spring of 2006 is was so wet that water was running in the trailbed... My fleece gloves became soaked, and rather worthless. I also had a hard time trying to dry them. Last year for early Spring, I carried a pair of Neoprene gloves bought at Gander Mountain, and they worked like a charm. On very cold days, I added a pair of my Merino Wool Hiking Socks over the Neoprene, and never had cold hands. For warmer and sunny weather, I like to use the fingerless athletic gloves to keep blisters to a minimum while using my trekking poles...
_the Colonel_
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#7
I started on April 13. I brought a cheap pair of cotton work gloves with me. Wore them 5-6 times and when the weather warmed up I just through them away. They worked fine with little expense.
_Grampie_
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#8
Like Grampie said.....get the cheapest cotton ones you can find...they worked great for me....lightweight as well.
_Doc Holiday_