VA > GHSP/ Mt-Rogers-Winter-Hang > Jan 18 - 21/ 2024

**slowhike** · 01-16-2024, 19:43

Originally Posted by supernettipot

I can't imagine it's too late to move this out to another date, logistically. I know people have vacation plans and such, but risking your safety isn't worth it. I've said my peace.

I believe that Hickery plans to carry on as planned but for those that are in doubt about your gear, please ask questions.
And for those that decide to stay home for this one, it is totally understandable. No one will think less of you.
I had rather people know their limitations than to run into problems.

Be smart about your decision as Ranger Holland said.

**Hickery** · 01-16-2024, 19:57

What Slowhike says. We've had these conditions in the past. It's the wind that really makes things brutal. That's why we have this hang in a campground. We are close to our vehicles and to each other. Plus we have the shelter that we are going to tarp off one side of as a wind block. A couple years ago a lot of folks got their personal lows for hanging. I think it was 6°. Anyone remember ? So basically it's going to be below freezing for 4 days in a row. Hikes will get organized on site. You can hike places that are even colder with more wind ! Bottom line, safety is the priority. Come in with at least half a tank of fuel just in case. The Park does an excellent job of getting us in and out with their plow equipment. Looking forward to seeing all you crazy hangers !!

**Hickery** · 01-16-2024, 20:43

Bring coolers to keep your food and water from freezing. Keeping water in a cooler in your vehicle will prolong freezing.

**Shug** · 01-16-2024, 20:52

Bring ice cream!!!!

Hickery asked me to post this video.....
Shug

**Twistytee** · 01-16-2024, 20:55

Thank you Hickery and Slowhike for the regular planning info, weather intel, and safety updates. I guess the beauty of car camping versus winter backpacking is the ability to bring redundancies and bail if needed. I feel like a vagabond with all I’ve packed for this hang but still looking forward to some snow, the warm fire, and a quick hike or two.

**Need2noCallahan** · 01-16-2024, 22:48

I traveled into the future and took pics of this upcoming weekend at Grayson. Unfortunately I lost most of them on the trip back, all but this one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Phantom Grappler** · 01-17-2024, 02:45

Need2no your post 126 is good with WolfPackOne’s post 92
Great pix, thanks

**SteelPlayer** · 01-17-2024, 08:36

Originally Posted by Hickery

The Park does an excellent job of getting us in and out with their plow equipment.

I have a light weight front wheel drive van. I'm not so concerned about the cold as I am the road conditions getting in and most importantly getting out in an emergency. Driving with snow and icy conditions can get dicey. Can someone enlighten me on what to expect as far as road conditions outside the park? Does anyone have a preference coming from Greensboro as far as road conditions Hwy 58 vs. Hwy 16 coming from Greensboro?

**Hickery** · 01-17-2024, 08:51

Maybe Ranger MLHolland can chime in on this.

WV · 01-17-2024, 09:12

Have spent the last two weeks getting ready for this trip, working on gear and sleeping outside most nights. After last night, I feel like I have already done it. Stacking two top quilts inside the Bridge Pod is a complicated process, especially with a Nalgene bottle of hot water wrapped in a down vest shoved down in the foot box(es), but it works. I slept soundly and warm until the 4 am pee appointment. After that, I decided to see if a different arrangement with only one top quilt would work. I put on my DIY down pants and my non-DIY down parka, along with DIY down bomber hat (2.5 oz.) and face mask. With all that it gets difficult to use a headlight to reposition the vest and water bottle and zip up the Bridge Pod, but it can be done. There was considerable condensation (some solid, some liquid) overhead in the new Bridge Pod Bivy with modified Shug-style frost bib, but I didn't get snowed or rained on because the bib was suspended from the bivy fabric with Kam snaps, and the condensation formed above it. This second part of the night was only partially successful. I slept, and did not freeze, but was periodically aware that I was cold somewhere (nose, heels). Temp was about zero when I first went to bed, and this morning it was minus 7. I should note that I purposely avoided sleeping under a tarp last night, because I didn't want to be protected from the wind, but there was hardly any breeze, so it was not entirely like the conditions expected at Grayson on Saturday.
My conclusions? I might bail. When it's this cold, my fingers start hurting in 5 minutes or less, and they don't stop hurting for an hour, even with Hot Hands.
WV

(pics and final decision to follow)