?What Clothes to take in March?

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#1

I’am planning on hiking the entire At and will be leaving from Springer Mt. on March 15 or sometime shortly after. I need some serious advice as to what degree of clothing to take, Actualy what I need is a list from someone with experiance. I know the weather in March and April but in the mountains it’s different. So far I’am thinking a heavy wool sweater or 2 for layers… I just can’t get a grip on what my comfort zone will be… I work in constuction and very rarely in the winter will I wear more than a sweater with under shirts ( thermal’s or whatever) but of course I don’t stay on the job and sleep there that night… Since I’ve been reading this forum I have noticed that for every question asked you sometimes get one answer from one person and then the complete opposite from another. So I would respectfully ask that anyone who answer’s would remember that advice I get here is most likely what I will do (with my own judgement of course) Once again I could use as much advice on this one as possible.

Steve

#2

Hi Steve
You can expect several snowfalls (or more) and temps dropping into the 20s or teens (at times). Most of the time the weather will be pretty nice, though. If the weather gets really bad, just get off the trail until it passes. Most of the time you will find towns only two or three days apart.
Most of your hiking will be done in shorts or nylon long pants and a shirt. In windy or cold conditions, you will probably put on your rain jacket or pants. For in camp you have several options. For cold weather, people normally add a fleece or insulated jacket, light weight gloves, watch cap, and long john top and bottom. Light weight people will just get into their sleeping bags for the night. Most others will carry some kind of fleece or insulated pants and maybe an insulated vest.
Just remember that it can get very windy at the time of year your are starting.
Some extras to think about are ear bands an extra pair of socks used just for sleeping in cold weather and maybe an extra watch or fleece hat for sleeping at night.
Your tolarance to cold weather will determine what clothes your bring with you. Just remember to always have a dry set of clothes or long johns to change into when you get to camp at night.
good luck and happy hiking
jerry

jerry

#3

Hi Steve
You can expect several snowfalls (or more) and temps dropping into the 20s or teens (at times). Most of the time the weather will be pretty nice, though. If the weather gets really bad, just get off the trail until it passes. Most of the time you will find towns only two or three days apart.
Most of your hiking will be done in shorts or nylon long pants and a shirt. In windy or cold conditions, you will probably put on your rain jacket or pants. For in camp you have several options. For cold weather, people normally add a fleece or insulated jacket, light weight gloves, watch cap, and long john top and bottom. Light weight people will just get into their sleeping bags for the night. Most others will carry some kind of fleece or insulated pants and maybe an insulated vest.
Just remember that it can get very windy at the time of year your are starting.
Some extras to think about are ear bands an extra pair of socks used just for sleeping in cold weather and maybe an extra watch or fleece hat for sleeping at night.
Your tolarance to cold weather will determine what clothes your bring with you. Just remember to always have a dry set of clothes or long johns to change into when you get to camp at night.
good luck and happy hiking
jerry

jerry

#4

Hey Steve,

I agree with basically all of jerry’s suggestions above. Keep in mind though, that you’ll be at the Walasi-Yi Center at Neels Gap after only about 30 miles. So if you don’t have the right gear, you can always upgrade your equipment and clothes there. You’ll have a much better idea of what you need after hiking for a few days and talking to about 50 other thru-hikers starting off. The wool sweater may turn out to be a little heavy and bulky… although it might work for you, plus you can always send it home at Neels gap if necessary.

Anyhow, I hiked the AT starting March 11, 2006 and may go for it again in March 2007. It was pretty cold in the beginning, but I only saw snow for about 4 days. Here’s a list what I use during cold months. These things work for me… although in retrospect I don’t think it’s necessary to have so much name brand stuff. Those $$$ add up fast.

Upper Body:
Raincoat: Marmot PreCip Plus rain jacket
Insulated Jacket: Patagonia MicroPuff Jacket (light warm, and packs down real small)
Shirt: Patagonia Capalene long sleeve shirt
Shirt: Similar short sleeve shirt

Legs:
Rain Pants: Marmot PreCip Pants
Shorts: Just some cheap blue ones I have no Idea what brand
Underwear: Patagonia Longjohns and UnderArmour Boxer Briefs. (the underarmour helped to prevent chafing)

Gloves: $10 Generic Fleech Gloves + Outdoor Research waterproof shell mittons

Socks: 2 pair (any brand)

Hat: Columbia Kazoo Hat (for sleeping) + baseball cap for hiking or beanie.

Good Luck!

Mr. Parkay

#5

The format of my clothes list got kinda messed up… here it is again:

Upper Body:

Raincoat: Marmot PreCip Plus rain jacket

Insulated Jacket: Patagonia MicroPuff Jacket (light warm, and packs down real small)

Shirt: Patagonia Capalene long sleeve shirt

Shirt: Similar short sleeve shirt

Legs:

Rain Pants: Marmot PreCip Pants

Shorts: Just some cheap blue ones I have no Idea what brand

Underwear: Patagonia Longjohns and UnderArmour Boxer Briefs. (the underarmour helped to prevent chafing)

Gloves: $10 Generic Fleech Gloves + Outdoor Research waterproof shell mittons

Socks: 2 pair (any brand)

Hat: Columbia Kazoo Hat (for sleeping) + baseball cap for hiking or beanie.

Mr. Parkay

#6

Jerry and Mr. Parkay hit it right on the nose. Just make sure you keep your hiking clothes and camp clothes seperate. Don’t wear camp clothes to hike in. You want something warm and dry to put on when get stop hiking.

Moose