Sept 09 JMT thru Layering??

Well, I personally like option #2
The long sleeve shirt will be good for sun protection and can be rolled up when needed, while the arm warmers may be too warm to wear for that reason. Also the shirts have some wind blocking ability and its usually enough during the day when its warm. As it gets dusk or you are in high altitude it gets cool and windier -and the Event jacket will probably be good then. You may even skip the t-shirt, but I can see how that would be comfy some days and help keep the stink down, though on a hike that long the wool wont help that much.

Personally I would go with option 2 for a few of reasons:

1) If this is a wet winter (lots of snow… we are hoping anyway) and there isn't an early cold spell, there might still mosquitoes in which case, I like some sort of physical barrier like a tight woven nylon shirt. I haven't found something that is cooler wearing the echo mesh (or the rr adventure shirt). Yeah… it will start to stink and it would be nice to have something more air permeable on hot days… but it's good enough. [On really hot trips I sometimes take a technical tee with visa endurance which plays the same role as your wool ss tee]

2) I am often hiking all day through the early evening. As it cools down I like more wind resistance that a base layer gives me, but a typical windshirt is too windproof. Something like a RR echo-mesh (or in my case the rr adventure shirt) is just the right amount of wind resistance. If the temp is low enough that the wind is chilling me with a supplex (or equiv) shirt, then the id event jacket would be about right.

3) Sun protection provided by a good long sleeve shirt. I burn easily.

When I have been on or near the JMT late august / sept I have typically use: rr adventure shirt, driducks jacket, wm flash vest or montbell thermawrap vest. Honestly, I don't recall wearing the vest on any of those solo trips… but it's a great pillow :). The vest has gotten used occasionally on group trips when we were staying up late, talking, rather than getting into sleeping bags soon after stopping for the night.

–mark

On the JMT late July through early August this year I used a SS Merino T (140 weight) and a Montane Windshirt (if cold) 90% of the time.

I took a LS shirt (Ex Officio) but hardly used it. I also had a LS Pat Cap 1 I occasionally used when it was cold in the mornings. But then I run hot and am from the UK, so used to colder conditions maybe?

Wore shorts 95% of the time too.

I think you are brave not to wear anything below the waist ;-)

So Option 1 is closest to my kit.

Haha, good one Ed. Well I tend to walk more efficiently when I let it all hang out :) All kidding aside I am using a pair of BPL Thorofare pants with Ibex Box/breifs. I am with ya on the cold too, a wool T and a breathable windshirt with a pair of liner gloves keeps me comfortable while on the move down to freezing.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will have to figure out which options works best for me. The only thing I dislike is buying clothing/gear that is regionally specific. Up here I would prob never wear a "trekking shirt". But your points are very valid and make complete sense. Very good call on the Moebens as well. They would be too warm for simple bug protection. I have been eyeing one of the Golite Drimove Silkweight LS shirts that weights in at 3 oz. I am thinking that is somthing I would use here and do the trick out there. I really appreciate the feedback guys.

Jonathan,
I did a JMT thru-hike this year from early to mid-August. I didn’t wear a base layer. I wore an eco-mesh shirt, and only wore my Golite wind shirt a few evenings during dinner when it got cold, or when I washed my shirt. The eco-mesh did well, but stinky. Going over the passes during mid-day I got hot, but not too hot. I also took, but didn’t use, my cocoon pullover, nor did I use my poncho. I barely got sprinkled on one day. But, of course, conditions are changeable.