Oh that crazy weather - and packing light....

kgd

kgd

Joined
Feb 28, 2007
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So I'm two days away from my weekend hike (leaving early Friday morning) and the weather is going to be anything but predictable. Ahw, the good old transition time of year.

Where I'm going the forecast is follows:
Fri - sunny, low -9 (celcuis), high 6
Sat - snow turning to rain, low -4, high +3
Sun - rain, low +1, high +5

Now ain't that just screwy? I was originally planning on using my very light down sleeping bag (+5 degree) in combination with hammock and ultra-light sleeping pad. However, that was two weeks ago (where + temperatures were the norm) and now I have to shift to a warmer (-12 degree bag) bulkier bag. To compensate on the bulk of the bag and bigger pad, I'm losing the hammock and going to ground using a tarp and ground cloth. That way I can build up insulation on the ground using vegetation or spruce boughs if I have to. It means I have to take an extra ground cloth. I'm bringing a spare tarp as well to have a place for meal prep and sitting around during the rainy Sat/Sun.

I've also had to re-think my clothing. Very tricky here. The constant wet and freezing nights means I'll be gortex'd up. Gotta keep dry, but also gotta keep from sweating. Could be tough. To be safe, I have a change of cloths for night that ensures I can change to something dry. Still, yet again more bulk.

All this means that I'm going to have to move from a 45L pack which I had everything squeezed into to a 60L. I'm forced to move away from light (there is never anything ultra- about my packing) to moderate load. Sucks as I really started optimizing my gear choices this year to go light but weather isn't allowing me to do so on this trip.

So who else is facing the uncertainty of the season transition? Do you try to compensate for comfort like I did or do you try and tough it out or use other tricks. The last time I tried (in a more safe location) to compensate with minimal I froze my butt off. Not dangerous cold, just not pleasant. I don't want to suffer, thats what work, marriage and kids are for.
 
funny you mention the weather :), I've tentatively planned a water bottle holder trip (challenge) for this weekend and looks like we're going to get 3-5" of snow Thursday :(
 
The best thing I've ever used is wool, second is down. Down is warmest, but not if you're sweating in it. You have to gamble a bit, with the extremes.
Once, I was in the Gila, in NM, in April. We still had snow melting in the mountains, and 7 river crossings to deal with. Hiked with Chaco sandels, and shorts on. At night and morning dressed in fleece pants, a down jacket, gloves, and a hat. As soon as the sun popped over the cliff, I was changing into sandles and shorts again. I didn't have to deal with rain, just two extreme temps.
If I were you, and I'm not, I'd take the warmer bag, nights and early morings will be coldest. Take the rain gear/extra tarp for a hangout area, like you mentioned. As far as clothes, I'd take layers, wool long underwear, the gore-tex, warm dry boots/socks, a sweater(wool) or a med-thickness wool jacket.
If I can keep my core, feet, and head warm, the rest of me will manage. I'm telling ya, the best warmth I've had is from having merino wool underwear, boots that don't let in coldness from the ground, and keep the calories up.
I'd at least want to have that warmer bag, just in case it was that cold, even before bedtime.
Stay dry, have fun!
 
foxx said:
As far as clothes, I'd take layers, wool long underwear, the gore-tex, warm dry boots/socks, a sweater(wool) or a med-thickness wool jacket.
If I can keep my core, feet, and head warm, the rest of me will manage. I'm telling ya, the best warmth I've had is from having merino wool underwear, boots that don't let in coldness from the ground, and keep the calories up.
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Thats exactly what I'm doing. Gortex shell (Jacket & pants), merino wool sweater, merino wool long underwear. I have some arctic weight fleece underwear and a primeloft shirt/jac for sleeping and a pair of nylon/cotton mix pants for non-rain. The pants/wool sweater will be used when by the fire to keep spark damage of my gortex at bay and that tarp overhead keeps the wet out during the nights fire. Still - this two sets of cloths deal is a lot more bulk then when you can basically relay on a set of day clothes and lighter sleeping clothes.
 
Dont forget a light weight fleece hat for sleeping.Whatever verdict there is concerning heat loss through the head.Cant beat that lid at night.Something to eat and hydrate before bed also keeps you warmer.You likely know this.
The one thing I do is vaccum bag a lightweight pair of long underwear either silk or fleece.Light weight,waterproof and the bagging makes a pretty small package to deal with.Ditto for extra socks.Save the bags and throw the items back in when used.
This way you have extra clothing that you may or may not need.
You could also take the lighter bag but step up a weight in your sleeping attire,although I wouldnt think you would be saving any weight
Dan'l
 
I know exactly what you mean. This time of year is the hardest to dress/pack for. This is the time of year when gore-tex gear shines.

I rarely decide to tough it at night, but employ several tricks to keep comfy.

I fill my Nalgene with boiling water, and stuff it in the sleeping bag at night, helps to keep my feet warm. I might eat a chocolatebar just before bedtime, that helps too. Heat some rocks by the fire, and place them in a pit youve dug. Cover the pit with soil and place your sleeping pad on top of the pit. The rocks will radiate heat for a long time.

'You could also try bringing along your light down sleeping bag, and try sleeping in your fleece jacket, etc. to compensate. Personally i dont like sleeping in too much clothes, but some are able to make it work for them.

A down jacket is king for light hiking trips. My Mountain Hardwear down jacket compresses to a very small size, but provides alot of warmth at night or when its cold on the breaks. I can always find room for it in my pack.
 
Extra tarp, extra ground cloth, extra pants, plus artic weight bottoms and an insulated jacket, even after going to the warmer bag, and heavier pad.
Sure is a lot of extras you're being "forced" to carry, but if you're just doing a short hike in to camp out, who cares? Take your favorite stuff, and have fun:thumbup:
 
Great stuff guys keep it coming.

OwenM said:
Extra tarp, extra ground cloth, extra pants, plus artic weight bottoms and an insulated jacket, even after going to the warmer bag, and heavier pad.
Sure is a lot of extras you're being "forced" to carry, but if you're just doing a short hike in to camp out, who cares? Take your favorite stuff, and have fun:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm sort of moving in this direction (even though everything I have been planning about my camping this summer was geared towards reducing and lightening). However, when I get right down to what my goals are this weekend. One, I'll be backcountry camping in to a base camp (which we have to identify en-route), but once there on Fri. night, Sat. will be exploring off from base camp with Sun packing up and heading back out. The pack in will only be about 5km. Mind you, not having been here before and doing it bushwaking style (not an established path) its hard to say how long it will take to get to the goal. The topo suggests a terrain that shouldn't be too bad, but its always a bit tough to tell what the ground will actually be like until we get there. Still, it should take no more than 1-3 h to get to the planned base camp area even in the worst of terrain expected of the area.

So while 6 h total (hiking in and hiking out in the worst case scenario) is a bit a of pita with lots of weight, that also means 42 h of enjoyment with luxuries at base camp. On the other hand, going the absolute minimal route means I'm light on my feet for 6 h and freezing my gonzo's off for 42 h. The time allocation component puts things into perspective a bit more.
 
Hey Ken...

Were you back at our ( you're included in the "our" you know! ) spot today ??
Seen a van parked on the road near the walk in, thought maybe it was use.. Was doing some cleanup at the camp today..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Nope Eric, not me. Last time I saw the campsite was when Rick and I did that overnighter back in Feb.
 
Yee ha, I'm off....And running with a brand spanking new Brian Andrews custom knife to test out. Will post some pics when I return!
 
mtwarden said:
funny you mention the weather :), I've tentatively planned a water bottle holder trip (challenge) for this weekend and looks like we're going to get 3-5" of snow Thursday :(
Click to expand...

well the weather man was right and looks we've got even more on the way- my trip is on hold :(

^ have fun on your trip!
 
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