How cold in April?

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#1

I am planning on starting a section hike on March 30th through April 15th. I have a 20deg bag but was wondering if I really need it this time of year. I am considering just taking a homemade fleece bag liner and a reflective emergency blanket to save a couple pounds if the nights aren’t too cold.

Any suggestions?

Eric

#2

I think that you could be sorry if you were to do that. Altitudes of 3-4-5,000 feet can always demand more respect than a fleece bag. If it was me, I would take the 20 degree.

Tribes

#3

Two years ago I went on my maiden hike the last week in April headed to Hot Springs. We had planned to need the sleeping bag, but didn’t plan on complete white out conditions, 20* or the Smokies being “closed down” due to a late winter storm. Winds were 60mph on Max Patch. So, go prepared for both seasons, or risk hypothermia and having to come down early.

Debby

#4

I remember the section hikers I met north of Damascus in late April 1992 who expected spring hiking and ended up with snow. They had 40 degree bags, no long underwear and were wearing shorts. They stayed up all night, feeding the fire, freezing. A fleece bag isn’t always warm enough even in June, much less April. You can get snow in the southern mountains until mid-May.

Ginny

#5

Thanks for the advice. I guess I’ll be taking the bag just in case. Since I only have 2 weeks to hike, I will probably only make it to the NOC if even that far(taking it slow due to a bothersome knee). Is the weather still that unpredictable in the first 120 miles of the trail during that time?

Thanks again.

Eric

#6

Take the bag. I was snowed on April 28, 01 on Roan mtn. Bag was savior.

VANGO

#7

So do you think a 45 degree bag would do, along with all my other clothes and a thermarest in the event of a cold snap? Thanks.

Aeschylus

#8

It depends on how you sleep - some people are more warmblooded than others. Are you usually hot or usually cold at night? I would take the 20 degree bag, but then, I used a 20 degree bag the entire trail and do most of my hiking with a 15 or 20 deg bag. On the CDT I used a 10 deg bag and was very glad I did. Even on the PCT I used a 20 deg. bag all summer. If it’s really warm, I sleep with it unzipped, but most of the time, I’m comfortable in the bag. But I tend to sleep fairly cool.

Ginny

#9

The point has been well made about the potential for really cold weather and I agree! The other side of the question is what happens if it gets really warm. My solution is to simply unzip the bag, and use it more like a quilt. True, during the night you’ll likely still need to let some heat escape, but that’s no big deal.

Le