The Whites and Maine

imported
#1

Hey all, thanks for all the help pre-hike, now, halfway done i have a few more lingering questions. any help would be appreciated.

First off, i plan on hitting the whites around memorial day, end of late may-early june. I know winter is always a threat and it “snows all 12 months” but should i pickup the 15 deg bag again? more longsleeves and longjohns? i wish i had time to google and look for “averages” but my schedule doesn’t allow. any help here, gracious.

second, maine in the month of june, the rivers are going to me at their highest point due to snow melt, no? or is that a roll of the dice as well…

blackflies and mosquitos should be a serious aggitation. even being from michigan i have some experience, but mosquito bites still itch and blackflies still hurt. should be a good time.

Officer Taco

#2

I recommend getting your 15* bag for The Whites, I use a 20* bag on summer hikes in the Whites and find it to be necessary. I carry a set of mid weight long johns, a fleece jacket or vest, light fleece hat and mittens along with wind jacket and pants. All these items (except the wind protection) are for camp only so I keep them dry in my pack. I will also carry an extra long sleeve shirt for hiking on colder days. Lately I’ve left the longsleeve hiking shirt at home and carried removable sleeves, popular with cyclist, that I can wear with my short sleeve shirt. Check out the average temperature page on thruhiker.com

http://www.thru-hiker.com/temporal.asp

Celt

#3

Like Celt posted, I’d recommend being prepared for cold weather no matter when you go though the Whites. It’s very exposed above treeline. Read the recommended clothing list published by AMC for the Whites. Good advice. Hypothermia is a real threat, even in the middle of summer.

I suspect that the streams of Maine are higher earlier in the Spring. But in June, they are still high and cold from the spring runoff. And it’s black fly season. It’s doable, just be prepared.

Peaks

#4

Peaks- I’m not certain I’m right I think you’re a Mainer so I’m wondering if snow depths in Maine (northern and western) are below average like the Whites. The East Branch of the Pemi is already below average levels so it seems we’ll have lower than average stream levels going into the warm weather hiking season.

Celt

#5

i have been following your journal. i hiked the trail last year and have enjoyed your adventure. it was cold in the whites, but i was there later than you will be. make sure you have gloves, hat and longjohns. i had a 20 degree bag and was okay, a little cold. i did work for stay in the cabins so i was never out in my tent. i missed the black flies too. i will be in maine when you pass by. i am hoping to catch you. i am going to be at a hostel in andover. i hope i can help you.

dirty bird

#6

Link to the Mt. Washington Observatory cam.

http://www.mountwashington.org/cam/index.php

Can give you a general idea of conditions around there.

Tim

#7

The spring runoff is happening now. The rivers and streams are about as high as they will probably get about now. The levels will probably drop slowly from now on. The only thing that will cange that is if we get a lot of rain and the ground gets saturated. That is not a common occurance in Maine in June because of the amount of new growth in the woods. We did not get a lot of snow in Maine this year. It was scarce enough to affect some winter sports by shortening the season. It has been cold though. It is not common to have high water in June but it does happen once in a while.
Walkin Wally

WALKIN WALLY