Some friends and I climbed Mt. Washington (6288ft, New Hampshire) yesterday. It was pretty awesome.

It was -4F at the top w/ 50-75mph winds (-40F windchill). The winds were pretty intense. The sky was crystal clear though and we got some rare visibility off Mt. Washington. Epic views.

This was about halfway up, on Lion's Head.

1/28/2013 9:19:19 PM

leaving friday morning for roan mountain...friday morning's high is 16, low of 12, wind chill of -8, wind of 55mph

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Roan-High-Knob/forecasts/1916

saturday night's high is 27 and snow is expected

1/29/2013 8:40:35 AM

^I'm doing Roan Mountain on the 15th! Hope there's snow!

^^That's awesome!

[Edited on January 29, 2013 at 9:08 AM. Reason : s]

1/29/2013 9:07:52 AM

looking to get some more base layers. what do you guys recommend?


I currently have a set of UA Cold Gear 3.0 which is great for extreme cold and low activity. I usually wear these when I'm hunting.

I've also got standard UA Cold Gear compression tops that I play softball in.


looking for a thermal or baselayer that is light to midweight for everyday use. when i'm not camping they'll mainly be worn under jeans when i'm out at night during the winter

1/29/2013 9:55:38 AM

^ i like the C9 brand you can get at target (synthetic, not cotton)...it's a great value, especially for everyday use

i've never used them on a backpacking trip, but i will be this weekend...so we'll see how they do

[Edited on January 29, 2013 at 10:36 AM. Reason : i've never used their cotton stuff, which is cheaper and might actually keep you warmer]

1/29/2013 10:35:13 AM

yeah i was looking at the C9. Apparently it's a house brand made by Champion. And then Champion has their main line called Duofold which seems to get good reviews.

1/29/2013 10:50:40 AM

^^Very Jealous. Roan Mountain is my go to every June/July for my "Roan to Damascus" trek.

1/29/2013 1:51:46 PM

FYI, if you want more C9 Thermals they are on clearance at all targets. I got the midweight 80/20 wool for 11 bucks last night.

1/30/2013 9:40:16 AM

^ is the 80% cotton or synthetic? i'm debating getting a midweight layer (i have the base and wind/water-resistant outer), but i don't know about taking cotton on a serious hike

i'm not a cotton snob, per se...i've just had enough bad experiences with it that i go synthetic or wool

but then, i suppose the middle layer isn't anything that's rubbing against skin...it's just there to trap heat

1/30/2013 6:17:17 PM

I actually went back to get another pair but they didn't have my size so I got a different kind. They are both tight fitting base layers.

The 80/20 are synthetic and wool. They are called the venture warm premium.

The second pair is 100% synthetic and called the Advanced Everyday base

1/30/2013 6:47:38 PM

There are some really good deals here:
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/ClearanceItems/MensClothing.jsp

You have to pay $19 to join MEC, but its good stuff. The Northern Lights Ultra is a really ice Primaloft One parka for $60. The T2 hoody is the same as a Patagonia Cap4 hoody for $25.

1/31/2013 7:09:16 AM

I am heading out to the App Trail April 8-28th. I'm flying into Atlanta and then having a friend pick me up and take me to Springer....and then having a Raleigh buddy pick me up in NC/TN (depending on my pace) the 28th.

If anyone is doing an AT trip, going to Springer, or wants to take that month off...hit me up! We can split rides/gas/travel buddy!

2/8/2013 9:53:12 AM

good luck and post pics from your trip!

2/8/2013 10:04:21 AM

Holy crap we got a lot of snow on Roan mountain this past weekend. We were running into 3-4 foot snow drifts on some of the balds with sub-zero temperatures. Was fun though! We ended up doing the Roan High Knob shelter to 19E. Stayed at Overmountain Shelter (big red barn) on Saturday night. We had about 16 people total in the shelter.

Anyone have some good advice on preventing water from freezing? It was pretty much in the single digits and teens the entire time and any water that wasn't insulated or close to your body froze in under an hour. I slept with my water and kept it close to me but I think I may invest in some insulated vacuum bottles. If you heat up water and keep them packed in your bag they'll stay thawed .

2/18/2013 11:54:44 AM

any of you guys use quilts instead of sleeping bags? I'm shopping for a quilt/bag and am looking for feedback.

2/23/2013 7:31:54 PM

^Well, how cold are you expecting it to be? Why exactly would you want to use a quilt? Is there some advantage?

Gear Question:

I own the FA Igniter Jacket and was wondering if it would be warm enough for a camp/summit coat on Rainier in early June. It's 100g primaloft one insulation throughout and has kept me pretty warm in the teens and single digits with little to no activity as long as I was properly layered underneath. I figured at worst I could wear a down shirt underneath if I need more warmth.

The reason I ask is because I see some people and guide companies recommending legit heavy down parkas for this. Worst case, I'm not expecting it to be much colder than the 20s on the summit, but there's always windchill I guess.

3/7/2013 4:35:45 AM

Whittaker Mountaineering is a partner with FA for jackets & stuff, & RMI often puts their logos on their jackets too. I'd call them & ask. They'd know for sure.

3/7/2013 7:17:21 AM

It varies per person. It was in the single digits with negative double digit wind chills on Roan a couple weekends ago with 3 feet of snow and I had a base layer, a smart wool long sleeve and my Northface shell. No insulation and was still sweating. The only time you really get cold is when you're not moving. In this case just bring lots of layers. If it's only going to be in the 20's you probably won't need any type of insulated jacket until you're not moving then you'll cool down. Layers are way more important than a heavy insulated jacket/parka. Most winter jackets have a primaloft/down zip-in liner. These are great because they pack small and easy to zip in when you're not moving. When you're active just take it out.

I think the most important thing to have is legit winter boots. Any type of Gortex/breathable hiking boots do not work in the cold even if it's only in the 20's. Make sure you have actual insulated mountaineering boots. Normal boots are fine when you're moving but when you're standing still your toes will freeze.

[Edited on March 7, 2013 at 9:36 AM. Reason : s]

3/7/2013 9:32:34 AM

Quote :

"any of you guys use quilts instead of sleeping bags? I'm shopping for a quilt/bag and am looking for feedback."

Check out the BackpackingLight forums. They seem to love quilts over there and there's plenty of discussion on them.

Has anyone here done the Everest Base Camp trek? One of my friends is trying to talk me into going, but it's pretty pricy and I'd like to get some first hand reports before committing.

This is what she's looking at:
http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/asia/nepal_everest.html

3/7/2013 10:21:50 AM

I'd totally do it if I had $5-6k to spare.

3/7/2013 10:38:34 AM

i'm considering a camp/kayak trip. i'm leaning towards the rivers/swamps/backwoods in eastern NC really wanting to get in black water and cypress. anyone have any good recommendations? ground condition is not an issue as i will likely be using an ENO hammock rather than a tent on the ground.

3/7/2013 10:40:08 AM

^You HAVE to go to Congaree National Park in South Carolina:

http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm

We did a Kayak/camping trip last year. It was amazing. There's places to tent camp along the river but I brought a hammock. It's the only old growth swamp left in the South Eastern United States.

I would go soon or around Spring before it gets too hot. It was perfect last year around October.

3/7/2013 11:07:23 AM

how long did it take? how much of the river did you cover?

3/8/2013 2:26:06 PM

So you don't actually go on the Congaree river. You kayak in the swamp on the north side of the Congaree on Cedar Creek:

https://www.google.com/search?q=congaree+national+park+cedar+creek&rlz=1C1GPCK_enUS433US433&aq=f&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=KUs6UdujDZHC9QS3u4HIBg&biw=1920&bih=955&sei=LUs6UcO_HpHk9gSxh4DYBg



We did the creek from the Cedar Creek canoe access all the way down to the Congaree river. The current is pretty fast on the actual Congaree so we just went out there for a bit then headed back up Cedar Creek the next day.

It took us a half-day to get down and around the same to get back up. We did it on sit-on top kayaks. Depending on the water level larger canoes might have some issues. We camped toward the bottom near the Congaree right on the bank. Lots of coyotes and wild boars. Also I wouldn't go unless you don't mind spiders. At night if you looked at the ground with your head lamp you could literally see thousands of spider eyes look back at you. I took a hammock and it was great. Ear plugs were key!

We did from the canoe symbol above the "nal" in national down to the Congaree and back:

http://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/upload/CONG_Trailguide_downloadable.pdf

[Edited on March 8, 2013 at 3:41 PM. Reason : s]

3/8/2013 3:38:31 PM

..spiders? Shit...you lost me at spiders.

3/11/2013 10:03:52 AM

ncwolfpack, you'll want a proper belay parka for that trip. Sure the weather could be a balmy 20, but it could easily not. You'd want a down parka over a synthetic for weight and compressibility. Check out the EMS Ice Down parka. I got one when it was on sale for $80. Its only 650 fill, but it has huge loft and is still lighter (1.5lbs for XL) and more compressible than synthetic.

The good news is that now is a great time to buy cold weather gear.

3/11/2013 6:12:03 PM

Rush, yeh that forum is what got me interested in them. I ended up buying a used Marmot Hydrogen for a good deal.

My friend was scheduled for the Everest base camp trip a few weeks ago. Then Boston got hit with a blizzard and his flight was canceled and had to miss the trip. Totally shitty for him

3/11/2013 6:13:37 PM

REI dividends have been calculated and are viewable through the website. 20% off coupon is supposedly this weekend.

Anyone have recommendations for a lightweight 2p tent? Right now I'm leaning towards the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. It will usually just be used for one person, but I'm 6'3" and could use the extra space.

3/19/2013 10:25:30 PM

I freaking LOVE dividend month!

3/21/2013 10:33:22 AM

Heh it just reminds me how much of my paycheck went to REI each year.

3/21/2013 10:41:01 AM

Dividend!!!! I've waited over a year for a deal (40-50%) on Capilene 3 to no avail (yes, I know the semi-annual sale, but they had no mediums in black or grey), so I may just have to use my dividend + coupon on another two of these before I move to Boone in June.

I also recommend the REI "smartwool" socks. They are very comfortable and warm.

3/21/2013 2:58:23 PM

I'm in the market for a decent two man backpacking tent and a gently used three season sleeping bag. Anybody got and gear they wanna get rid of?

3/22/2013 7:05:04 AM

I've got a Marmot Titan 2 tent I'd like to unload. It's 5lb 2 oz, so a little heavy for backpacking, but thought I'd throw it out there. Plenty of room for two people.

Also have a Marmot Sorcerer 15* bag (long)

Both have been lightly used on maybe a half dozen trips over the past 3 years. $75 on the tent, $50 on the bag.

3/22/2013 9:53:24 AM

^ Marmot is a great brand. I have a Limelight 3 that I would take on a short backpacking trip. That's a good deal, too.

3/22/2013 10:20:04 AM

Rush, checkout TarpTent. They make nice lightweight stuff. I'm looking at a Double Rainbow. Fairly roomy two person at under 2.5lbs. The lightweight stuff is mostly single wall though so be aware of moisture/condensation issues.

3/23/2013 1:04:14 PM

I know some of you in here have done the Art Loeb - might try to get out there next week. The book I have recommends a S-N direction, but N-S has less elevation gain - any thoughts or experiences? I'd rather things become more secluded and scenic as I hike, so S-N seems better in that regard at least.

[Edited on March 23, 2013 at 1:44 PM. Reason : a]

3/23/2013 1:29:04 PM

Also looking for a good 2 nighter circuit for after I'm picked up at Camp Daniel Boone near Waynesville. Looking at Kilmer, Panthertown, or the Smokies (no experience there). Will have to go back to Brevard to pick up my car so anything in those areas would work. Have some ideas, just looking for other experiences - thanks!

3/24/2013 1:10:20 PM

I do the Art Loeb every Year. Definitely go North to South. Plan for 2.5-3 days. If you want to do a 2 day or skip some of the trail, I'd pick up at the Black Balsam Spur Trail and do that section towards the Davidson River Campground (southern Terminus). I'm not sure how bad water sources are out there this time of year, but there were plenty the first 10 miles, then they thin out, and pick back up again once you come off the balds. It was muddy even in summer, so bring some gaiters, lol.

3/25/2013 4:04:54 PM

Yeah I did N-S. The best views are on the last part so it's something to look forward to. If you do S-N you're just going up hill and you hit all the great views the first day or two.

3/25/2013 4:12:54 PM

okay, thanks - not what I expected to hear, was assuming that the northern reaches were more wild and scenic...

I was looking at something like:

Day 1: Davidson trailhead to Cedar Rock, ~7.8 miles
Day 2: Cedar Rock to Deep Gap, ~7 miles
Day 3: Deep Gap to Ivestor Gap, camping further on balds if the weather permits, ~6 miles
Day 4: out to N terminus, about 8 miles

problem is, we'll be doing part of the first hike at night, so with what you guys are telling me, may do something like:

Day 1: N terminus to Cold Mtn Trail, 3.8 miles
Day 2: Cold Mtn Trail to Ivestor/Tennet/BB area, ~6-7 miles
Day 3: Ivestor/Tennet to Deep Gap, ~6 miles (could hike further this day for shorter day 4)
Day 4: Deep Gap to Davidson trailhead, ~15 miles

Will have to give it some thought. Are any of the spurs particularly worthwhile? Thinking things like Shining Rock, Cold Mountain, or Cedar Rock. Any especially worthy campsites?

Looks like the weather should clear up tomorrow or Wednesday, and since the BRP is currently closed the Balsams will presumably be wide open. Good call on the mud, though.

3/25/2013 4:57:48 PM

Eh well now that I look at a map I guess the best views are Black Balsam and the areas around the Blue Ridge Parkway. I think the primary reason we say do it N-S is it's a little easier. That's a lot of uphill if you do it S-N.

3/25/2013 5:48:23 PM

I mean, you go straight uphill to get to Cold Mountain. I was kinda stupid and pushed through the entire trail in 2 days (not suggested) my first time, and was exhausted. I've done 20+ miles on the AT and 15 miles on the Art Loeb in some sections felt like 30, lol.

I would kind of avoid the hut near one of the Gaps towards the southern terminus...a lot of locals use it for overnights and there are always beer cans etc around, not very nice in my opinion.

I always like hunkering down outside of Shining Rock since FIRES ARE NOT PERMITTED since it is designated wilderness...there is some good tree line in Black Balsam for camping (I always liked it since the floor was so soft from the needles and good cover from rain) if the balds are too windy/cold.

3/28/2013 9:52:25 AM

So I've been using my pack for the last 3 years for some serious mileage (50-200 mile trips) and was constantly hiking my pack up on my hips and fighting back issues and my pack counter swinging when I walked. Went to REI and realized I had the wrong pack size .

BUT...got a new Gregory Jade 60 (small!) with my dividend and 20% off...$100. I almost wept at the counter.

Going to break it in on the Art Loeb over memorial day weekend for a 4 day/3 night trip (going to see some stuff around the ole Loeb too!)

4/3/2013 10:06:27 AM

60 liters seems huge for a small woman. What size was your old one?

For comparison, my hiking partner is 5'4". She carries a 35L pack, has a bulky sleeping bag, and still manages to bring too much stuff.

If you're set on the Jade 60 though, I'd keep an eye on Steep and Cheap. I know I've seen that pack pop up multiple times for $100-$130.

4/4/2013 9:21:33 AM

regarding pack size, from the previous page:

Quote :

"good point...that's what it boils down to...i'd consider 40L good for 3 seasons...for winter, something larger is probably pretty useful i don't do as much "true" winter backpacking as i'd like, but if it's freaking cold, the extra layers/thickness is going to fill up 55-60L without packing more than is necessary, i think"

but that's for me, a 6-foot, 200lb guy...60L does seem a bit large for your average woman, but i suppose it's the fit that matters most

[Edited on April 4, 2013 at 9:29 AM. Reason : .]

4/4/2013 9:28:51 AM

I have the larger pack mostly b/c I'm too lazy to resupply...10 days of food takes up some space (though it's lovely when it gets lighter over time... encouragement to eat more!)

4/4/2013 9:31:16 AM

My 60 is great for winter. I managed to get most everything in my 25 for summer but I'm going to pick up a 35-38 to have a little more room.

4/4/2013 1:09:01 PM

The Art Loeb was great - our camps were at Cold Mountain, Tennent Mountain, and Glouchester Gap. Didn't get to camp until 4 am the first night, so it made for a tough start the next day, but mileage was never a problem. The Pisgah Map Company map of the area has a lot more detail than the Trails Illustrated, so getting sidetrack was never a problem. The view from Tennent at night was incredible...we had a huge moonrise and since the parkway was closed Tennent and the Balsams were occupied by only a few hikers.

My hiking partner did sustain a knee injury on the steep downhill to the BRP, so I had to leave him at Glouchester Gap the last morning and finish alone, returning with a car. That slight issue aside, great trip, would do again. Will try to get some pics up at some point.

4/4/2013 1:51:54 PM

^ You should really see that trail in either late June for all the flowers/rhodedendra/laurels or in late fall with the leaves...incredible

4/4/2013 2:17:44 PM

^^What days were you up there? I was there Friday and Saturday but had to start at the Big East Fork trailhead due to the BRP; got a nice little snow Friday night too.

4/4/2013 2:27:48 PM