Thru hike help needed please

**Awesome** · 10-26-2014, 11:58

I intended to thru hike in 2014 but the budget would have been tight so I decided to give myself another year of working to make things a little easier. Now that I have my funds saved I'm getting itchy to leave early. I'm thinking about mid Jan. or mid Feb. I'm looking at getting a 20*hg uq to go with my 20* wl tq. I currently have a jarbidge uq and I'm affraid it will not be enough. Will the 20* uq and tq be enough? I can always supplement with a pad if that's what the experts recommend. I also will be using a eno pro fly. I look forward to the responses.

**Fronkey** · 10-26-2014, 12:03

Letting us know where you will be thru-hiking will be a big help.

However, a 20f combo should be sufficient with pretty much any thru you're doing unless it's a winter one.

Fronkey

**STinGa** · 10-26-2014, 12:30

It can be colder than expected in N. Ga. during that time of year. The end of Jan thru week 3 of Feb are generally the coldest weeks. I would guess a little more insulation would be needed, but wait and see if more opinions come in.

STinGa

**Awesome** · 10-26-2014, 12:43

Sorry about that. The at nobo.

**Flounder** · 10-26-2014, 13:10

In 2013, I started my NOBO thru in Mid February. I had several nights of single digit temps all the way through the end of March. You'd probably be ok with your current setup, but I think you'll have some nights where you'll be cold. I would recommend a tarp with doors. You'll more than likely see nasty weather, freezing rain, snow...and you'll be happy you had doors on your tarp.

**Black Wolf** · 10-26-2014, 13:12

I assume NOBO on the AT ?? .. Keep the 20*F gear .. Supplement with cotlhes, down jacket, heavy base .. It's easy to push a 20*F to 0*F .. If a storm blows in and you're not equipped to handle it .. Take a zero or two in town then head back NOBO .. March or April, send the supplement gear home. YMMV.

**Nodust** · 10-26-2014, 13:23

I have a 20* HG 3/4 UQ and a WL 20* top quilt. I have slept down to 24* with just merino bottom and top on. Slept very warm.

**Black Wolf** · 10-26-2014, 13:34

PS. You have the approaching winter to test YOUR lower limits / comfort zone. Set up where you can bail or add warmth, ie. backyard, use the 20*F and sleep in minimal clothes. Keep a thermometer next to you, see how low you can go ..

**FLRider** · 10-26-2014, 14:42

Originally Posted by Black Wolf

PS. You have the approaching winter to test YOUR lower limits / comfort zone. Set up where you can bail or add warmth, ie. backyard, use the 20*F and sleep in minimal clothes. Keep a thermometer next to you, see how low you can go ..

This.

Also, do as much day hiking/backpacking with short and easy bail spots in the cold as possible: a thru is just as much (if not more) hiking as camping. Get used to setting your gear up when as tired and cold as possible SAFELY so that you don't have any bad surprises when you CAN'T bail safely.

Good luck!

**hutzelbein** · 10-27-2014, 04:09

I would take a sock. Sock plus 20° quilt set plus clothes should cover a good range of temperatures. I have never thruhiked anything, though, so take it with a pinch of salt. And test, test, test before you leave.