Evaluate please!

[Jay McCombs]

Ok. 8 day trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail, AR in late December. Expecting temperatures of mid to upper 40’s during the day, mid to upper 20’s at night with mean daily temp of 37. Chances for precip. are good at some point during the 8 days.

This will be my longest and coldest trip (deep south boy); however by no means my first multi-day trip. I don’t have a ton of money for replacing things but am open to cheap solutions. Also, if you think I’m going to freeze and not sleep well let me konw :)

Sleeping:
GG 1/8″ Thinlight
Torsolight
Mountainsmith Wisp
SD Clip Flashlight (weight split w/hiking partner)

Clothing:
Smartwool Lightweight Zip
REI Sahara Pants
DriDucks Rain suit
Possum Down Mits
Possum Down beanie
Lightweight MTS Crew
Lightweight MTS Pants
Montane Aero
Micropuff Pullover
Cotton Bandana
Smartwool socks/liners x2

Carrying everything in a GoLite Jam. Total base weight w/all other stuff comes out to just over 10 lbs right now.

Gear I’m thinking about swapping out:
Gortex Shell Rainmits
Some other type of pants
Patagonia R1 balaclava instead of the PD beanie
leaving the MTS crew
only other sleeping bag I have is a somewhat de-lofted TNF Cat’s Meow thats aged nicely

[Dondo .]

Looks like a well-thought-out list. For the conditions you describe, you’ll probably leave the smartwool top on for all eight days. There’s no need to carry the MTS crew.

[john Tier]

You may find the GG1/8 thinlite pad too light under your legs at 20 degrees…

Pan

[Dondo .]

…unless you put any unused soft gear inside the Jam and place the thinlite over that.

[Phil Barton]

Jay, the OHT should be a great trip. I think you might see a wide range of temps over 8 days. I would encourage you to think flexible. Late December in AR could see highs from 40 up to the 70s. We had temps as high as the 80s in Dec. 2004. A short sleeve layer could extend your comfort range. I am always pretty warm while hiking.

Lows could be in the 40s down to the 20s. The rain mitts are a good idea for potential cool, wet days. You might find some wet snow. I think you have the cool weather clothing layers down pretty well.

My hiking buddy loves his Wisp. I would expect it to be much more comfortable at the low temps you might experience. My de-lofted Cat’s Meow is now worthless at freezing temps.

Let us know how it goes.
Phil

[Jay McCombs]

using the pack and anything left not being used for a pillow for additional lower body insulation was the plan. I guess I’ll take my ridge rest with me and make the final decision based on the weather and forecast at the trailhead.

Phil,
I’ve hiked the first 3 sections of the OHT in late fall and it was really beautiful (except the sleet storm on top of Hare Mtn.) I hardly ever get time off so I’m really looking forward to this trip.

as far as warm conditions I’m hoping the convertable pants will pay off there and the ability to vent through the chest zip

[Author]

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