I was wondering about the water sources in mid to late February. Are they frozen…do you have to melt snow…would you treat the water that early in the season?
Also, is it crazy to hike that early in the season…do you need snowshoes and extreme weather gear?
Thanks, just trying to figure out a start date for next year.
jackie b
Bono started at the end of December '02 and simply melted snow when streams were frozen. Had to snowshoe in parts of the Smokies but he loved it. I think most thru-hikers miss alot by avoiding the snow; he said it was beautiful beyond words. Take a look:
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=1034
steve hiker
Water in Winter should be treated just like water in the Summer, because the things in water that make you sick are still there. Just like a lot of other things, they go dorment in cold and when the weather or water warms up, bingo they are there and they are alive. Can’t use a water filter in winter very well because of ice crystal forming within filter causing it to ice up and cease functioning. Best to boil water or treat with chemicals. Many small streams and springs do freeze up, but melting snow to get water is easy to do and will provide ample water. Keep water bottles turned upside down, water freezes from the top down as ice is lighter than liquid water—so if upside down and your water starts to free, you can still drink. A hydro pack within your pack and well insulated by stuff within your pack will keep your water from freezing, but water in supply tube can freeze. Carrying water bottles close to body so they stay somewhat warm will also keep them from freezing. Several hikers starting in January going northbound (Rocket, Bono, Flying Scotsman----they all have trail journals on line—read them for info regarding what you need for winter hiking. I meet two southbounders in Winter in January in Virginia—they were UK Royal Marines—tough fellows. Advantage to winter hiking, the shelters are vacant and there are very few other hikers on the trail. The AT is beautiful in Winter. Keep on hiking.
Maintain
Chemical treatments only work if your water is above 50 degrees or so. If it’s colder giardia and crypto from cysts until the water warms up. You can still use a filter on running water just keep it near you body at night to keep it from freezing. Boiling is your best bet but it does require a lot of extra fuel.
Darth Pacman
Instead of boiling the water, warm it to an acceptable temperature for chemical treatment. This saves fuel and avoids worry about a frozen filter.
Alligator
Is it possible to travel without a stove in Mid-Feb.? Based on what Darth Pacman and Alligator said…the answer may be no but just wondering. WOuld it be too risky?
jackie b