Backpacking W. Virginia this weekend, what to bring

Check the weather report for your intended area. 50 degrees may be your low depending. Probably a good chance for some rain, has been lots this month. Bugs are starting to come out but not bad yet. Rodents can and will get to food, bears should not be a problem depending on where you go. Most trails will be very rocky with lots of trip roots. Trail runners work for me (X-talons). I don't use water proof boots except in winter walking the dog on trails. Rain jacket, shirt and base should work fine with long pants. Poison Ivy is growing well in the tidewater area, not sure about W Va.

What sort of clothing? — It's likely to be hot and muggy. Some form of Cap 1 or superfine merino usually works best for a base layer, based on sweat and smell preference. Don't go overboard on insulation for night. A windshirt or rain shell is likely all you'll need for "warmth."

What type of sleeping bag? — You might regret taking a warm bag, particularly if you get a really warm night. I use the lightest quilt I can find.

Bug gear? — Gear, no. Permethrin and DEET, yes.

Bear bag? — Yes, but like Carl said, more for other critters than bears.

Waterproof hikers or Chacos? — I've seen plenty of people hike in Chacos but make sure you like hiking this way. I personally don't like sticks and stones poking my feet and prefer light non-waterproof trail runners. You'll regret waterproof shoes because your feet will sweat badly.

Oh, and you're welcome to come out with our group if you want: http://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/

It will be hot this weekend in the SNP/WV area – 80's/90's with nighttime lows in the 50's up in the mountains.

I am doing a stretch of the AT in VA this weekend myself. I highly suggest the Trout Run area of WV.

http://midatlantichikes.com/troutrunvalley.htm

Lots of good hikes just north and south of that area. Tibbet Knob and Big Schloss are two of my favorites hikes. Did White Rocks recently, and part of the Tuscarora trail as well. Can't go wrong in that area! SNP is great too, just more crowded and costs money to enter via car.

Have fun!

What sort of clothing?
Polyester shirt, nylon pants or polyester shorts depending on desired degree of leg protection (from ticks and briars)

What type of sleeping bag?
It'll likely be used as a quilt. If the low temps are going to be 60 or higher, just use a light jacket or maybe just rain gear. It will likely be humid. I'm actually considering starting to bring a second shirt and underwear to sleep in because being wet from sweat is a serious barrier to getting a good night's sleep.

Bug gear?
Permethrin pre-treated on clothing and picaridin on exposed skin ('cause I don't like gear-eating DEET). A head net is nice for gnats around camp. I had a swarm intent on swimming in my eyeballs in the Cranberry last May around this time, and it was nice to have a head net. For the open areas of the Sods, you may not need anything.

Bear bag?
Definitely. I see or hear at least one bear every time I'm in WV, and I've seen or heard one in camp at night before bedtime each time I've backpacked there. I'm pretty sure I heard a bear fall or jump out of a tree a few times trying to get my food! They're not like Smokies bears begging for a treat though. They're afraid of people. The Cranberry is a former black bear sanctuary, but no longer due to the healthy, thriving population. Plenty of bears in the Sods too, mostly along the Red Creek and deciduous forest areas near it.

Waterproof hikers or Chacos
Neither. :) Non-waterproof hikers/trail runners. Forced to choose between those two, I'd probably choose the waterproof hikers for rock protection because your feet are going to be wet and muddy the whole time either way. But, if you're not concerned about protection, go with the Chacos.

Not sure I could recommend Shenandoah on a holiday weekend…

I was in Dolly Sods last July and used (and needed) a 30 degree bag. The campsite was next to Red Creek. It's hard to make a sleeping bag recommendation for "West Virginia" without knowing some specifics about where you plan to go and where you plan to camp.

When we went to Roaring Plains, it was nice to have convertible shorts/pants since there was a ton of stinging nettle overhanging parts of the trail.

What sort of clothing? Nylon shorts, light synthetic or wool t-shirt to hike in. Rain shell or poncho. If you are on the balds, bring a hat with a brim and sunscreen (but you know that from hiking out West.) I bring a Marmot DriClime jacket and the lightest Montbell down vest this time of year, and a microfleece watch cap for sleeping.

What type of sleeping bag? I just bring my regular 30-F down bag that I carry for three-season use, and drape it over me as a quilt.

Bug gear? A little DEET maybe.

Bear bag? I use an Ursack all the time for critters. But depending on where you go, hanging a bear bag is a good idea. The PCT method also works here in the East ;-)

Waterproof hikers or Chacos? Neither, I go with mesh trail runners. No reason for waterproof boots in the summer around here, you'll just sweat.

Where to go? Shenandoah will be crowded on a holiday weekend. The section of the AT south of SNP is nice, though you'll need a shuttle. Should not be as crowded, either. Mt Rogers is a lot closer than the Smokies; maybe 4-5 hours from the DC area, but it too will be crowded this weekend. Great spot, though.

Have fun!

On the AT in PA / MD section last week and the bugs were out (skeeters) – i would consider long sleeves, long pants and hat for in camp to keep bugs at bay even if it is hot out. Bearbag yes. Rain gear yes. Light insulating layer yes. Quick drying trailrunners yes. Don't plan on staying in any shelters as they will probably be full.

Coming from UT, two of us have spent extensive time in S. Utah as well as the Uintas. For one of us, this will be his first time backpacking.

Thanks for the footwear suggestions, I will swap the Chacos for XT wings (overkill?).

I have two questions though:

1. Where should we go? We would like to go somewhere where it is 'cooler' and doesnt have a lot of bugs.

2. I've read that DEET eats gear, and I would hate for my stuff to get ruined. Any gear-safe alternatives?

Thanks guys!

Many on this site use permethrin (available in spray, I think) to treat clothing.

I use Repel with Lemon Eucalyptus oil (on skin) – anything with that oil as the active ingredient is reasonably effective against mosquitoes and ticks (tested next to DEET in effectiveness in a big study published in the Wall St. Journal several years ago). Also woven nylon shirts, gloves and pants keep the mosquitoes from biting, at least for me.

1. Dolly Sods is at a fairly consistently high elevation, especially the north region.

2. Permethrin on clothing and picaridin or the above-mentioned natural alternative on exposed skin. You might not need anything in the relatively open north region.

I really like the idea of Dolly Sods.

We'd like to car camp the first night, and then backpack two nights.

I will be honest, I hate bugs. With a passion. Yes, I know they are a part of nature, but I'd like to avoid them as much as possible.

Any suggestions? Someone said New River Gorge, but I dunno what the climate/crowds will be like.