I am planning a SOBO from Bluemont Va. to Springer, leaving last week of September…assuming 10 mi per day i need to know where to mail drop my cold weather items, like sleeping bag liner, down jacket, long underwear, etc…i will need these items when the nights reach 40 degrees. any ideas?
bondboy
I don’t know when you will need them, b/c not only is everybody different, the seasons vary so much that time of year. My wife and I SOBO’ed last year. (http://hiking.sanwalddesigns.com) We hit Harper’s Ferry Oct. 6th and got our cold weather gear. Most of it we bumped to ourselves till we needed it. I think that worked out very well. We had snow everyday after Thanksgiving last year. We made it to Gatlinburg, TN (the Smoky Mntns.) by then. We finished at Springer on Dec. 13. As I recall, it was nice having the warm bag then, but not necessary for a little while. We were also hiking much further than 10 miles a day at that point. So while you are leaving earlier than us, and starting further south…you may want to check out our journal for some insight (or our shedule for some ideas). If you have any questions about our trip, email me. Good Luck!
Michael Sanwald (FatCat)
i agree weather could be sweltering thru novemeber all the way south. if you are beginning to see temps falling, use your wingfoot and maildrop to any PO you are near. If I would pick a hypothetical place, I would pick damascus VA or erwin, TN. You will be getting closer to the peak elevations as well as tricky weather developing mountains. Hump and Roan have never disappointed me yet, and the smokeys were nice in 17* + wind chill factors. enjoy and play it by ear
burn