Maine in August Advice

[southmark]

Here is my planned clothing, shelter and sleeping insulation for Katahdin to Monson last three weeks of August. Will I be warm enough? I have a low resting heart rate (43) and doc says that makes me cold natured. Also listed are some options.

Please chime in with your thoughts/suggestions.

Clothes Worn
Quick dry hiking shorts
DriFit tee shirt
Coolmax cycling socks
NB trail runners
DriFit baseball cap

Clothes Carried
Beartooth Merino Wool hoody
Marmot DriClime Windshirt
Patagonia Puffball vest
Smartwool liner socks 1 pair (sleeping)
Nylon running shorts
Ultra Light fleece balaclava
Headnet
Packa
Dry Ducks rain pants

Shelter/Sleeping
Edge rain fly
HH Adventure Racer
Go Lite Ultra 20 down top quilt
Two layer IX UQ with insul tubes

Options
JRB Stealth used as a TQ and around camp insulation. Replaces Go Lite TQ and Puffball vest.
Montball Alpine Light #5 40º bag instead of Go Lite TQ (lighter than Go Lite TQ).
JRB Stealth as UQ instead if IX UQ (heavier).

Thanks,
Dale

[sclittlefield]

I've lived and hiked in Maine for 31yrs. August is our hottest month. Humidity is high, but slowly drops as the month wanes. Nighttime can make you think you're in a totally different climate - it can be 90's in the day and 30's at night with the right front moving in. Always expect rain, regardless of the forecast. And the key to living in Maine is LAYERS! The local saying is: "If ya don't like the weathah heah, just wait half an houah."

Your list looks good. My only concern is the IX underquilt. At night, especially if a cold front has moved in, the temp. difference can be huge. A 2-layer IX UQ wouldn't do it for me on many nights in August - I'm a somewhat cold sleeper. You'll be fine for the warm nights, but you can't count on the weather in Maine.

Enjoy the hike - should be a blast. We've got some pristine wilderness up here. I tend not to follow the trails as much, I'm more of a "free-range hiker", but that's a trip I'd like to do in the next few years.

[Cuffs]

Mark, Ive still got my packing list somewheres, whens dinner?

[Ramblinrev]

Katahdin is very deceptive. It can be really nice at the bottom but a whole different beastie up top. If I remember correctly (it's been 20 years) There can be snow falling on the peak of Katahdin in any month of the year. It's fairly rare in August but it has happened. Not that you'll need snowshoes or anything in Aug. But they close the park about mid Oct because Katahdin can become very treacherous. The last time I went up it.. (we're talking shortly after Noah's flood) I remember sweating profusely during the hike and being quite chilly at the top. I don't think we stayed up there for very long. It would have been July or August.

[southmark]

Hey Cuffs, we are in the process of moving our office. Maybe sometime after the 4th. I'll call you.

Thanks

[doheir]

Dale,

Looking at your list, I'm not sure that I saw a jacket that would hold up to an all day rain. It's a possibility.

Second, Katahdin can be a punishing mountain with wintry conditions at any time of the year. The summit is also a long ways from any trail head - I've always gone from Russell Brook, and it's a very full day getting to the summit and back within daylight hours. I haven't gone on the AT side, but friends have always attested to how rough that trail is.

Good luck.

Doug

[beep]

I also didn't see any long pants other than DriDucks rain pants. If you encounter wind/cold conditions, you might want some additional bottom layer on your legs other than the DriDucks. I'm thinking some light to mid-weight long underwear bottoms that could be worn as tights under your shorts. You may not need it while actively hiking, but other times might find you wanting some warmth.

Sounds like a great trip! Have fun!

[southmark]

doheir, the Packa is my rain jacket and pack cover. It held up to numerous all day rains last June on my Stratton to Gorham hike. Sure hope I don't see as much rain this year. That is one of the reasons I am waiting until August this year.

beep, thanks for the long underwear bottoms tip. I just may ad in my smart wool cycling leg warmers.