Thru question

[Awesome]

I intended to attempt a thru on the at this year, but after much thought I decided to wait till 2015 and save more money. Now that I have north of $7000.00 I'm ready but I'm undecided on one thing and would like some advice. I'm thinkink of using my 20* top quilt and my 30* under quilt with a foam pad in the shelters in the smokies. My question is do you experts think that will suffice I really don't want to spend the money on a bag and inflateable pad if I don't have to.
Thanks in advance.

[Flounder]

When are you thinking of starting your thru? The thing with shelters in the Smokies is you are allowed to tent or hang if the shelter is full. When you get to the shelter, hang out, cook and eat dinner and by that time, the shelter should be full.

[Awesome]

Mid to late march. Just looking at options in case I have to use the shelter.

[Flounder]

With that starting date, you will be among a big hiker bubble. You'll never "have" to stay in a shelter, it will only be by choice...aka.. bad weather. The "shelter is full" trick will be SUPER easy.

[kayak karl]

you will only be in smokies a max of 5 nights. why not just carry a 3/4 pad for that section, pick up at fontana. ship back at standing bear. if you want to stay at huts get it again there.

[Awesome]

Thanks all, do you think the combining of the quilts will work?

[kayak karl]

first 2 weeks will be the lowest temps. i don't know how you sleep. a 30 degree would get me to 20 in most cases.

[Buckeye Bill]

With that starting date, you will be among a big hiker bubble. You'll never "have" to stay in a shelter, it will only be by choice...aka.. bad weather. The "shelter is full" trick will be SUPER easy.

+1 Totally agree, this is my plan. As someone mentioned earlier hang out, talk, cook dinner. The shelters will fill up then you go off and hang your hammock.