March or April New England Trail UL Thru-Hike

I've done the M-M trail (most of it twice or more). It's a great trail–you'll have a good time. PM me if you want some info on getting around the closed/rerouted section of the M-M trail in central MA. There is an easy and scenic alternative that's not mentioned in the guidebooks or at the website (http://amcberkshire.org/mm-trail/guide).

The one thing that stands out from your gear list is that you're going to freeze in a 45-degree quilt, even if you hike in April. Average lows in western MA are still below 45 in late April, and up in northern MA and southern NH it'll be even colder.

Also, if I'm around, I might be available to shuttle you around the Connecticut River if boat traffic is too low. I live about 3 miles away from the crossing.

Thanks for the offers of info and possible help Scott. I PM'd you about it.

@ Scott – you may be right about the quilt not cutting it for the temps…I'm waiting on a WM Alpinlite 20* and if that comes in then I'll nix the REI pants and be all set for warmth.

input: total radness!
adding this gig to my bucket list fo'sure!

Seth, you'll freeze at night in the north unless our present hot weather continues.
Check out the weather underground for the weather history. For the northern end look at the Jaffrey,NH, airport by week:
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KAFN/2011/3/31/WeeklyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
I live at a higher elevation near Jaffrey and today it's 4F colder here than Jaffrey.

Snow is always a possibility, but the way this winter is going, probably not.

It looks like a fun trip.

Thanks for the weather info and tips so far.

I sleep warm – and have comfortably used my 35* down bag to 25* with just socks and a hiking SS shirt. I will continue to look at the weather and vary my choices in the end, based upon the expected week outlook.

Also wondering if I should just bite the bullet and bring my Marmot Precip instead of my Marmot Hooded Windshirt in case….always that little old just in case…we shall wait and see.

Here is the update with what I plan on taking…thoughts are always welcome…

Tent: (18.1oz.)
• MLD Silnylon Grace Solo Tarp (8.5 oz.)
• MLD Superlight Bivy XL (6.5 oz.)
• Mountain Outfitter 6” Titanium Ti-Eye Stakes – (8 stakes /0.21 oz. each) (1.6 oz.)
• Gossamer Gear Polycryo Ground Sheet (1.5 oz.)
Backpack: (20.5 oz.)
• Gossamer Gear Mariposa (19 oz.)
• Tall Liner Bag (1.5 oz.)
Mat: (10.5 oz.)
• GG TorsoLite Pack Pad / Sleep Mat (19.5 x 30 x 3/4in.) (2.5 oz.)
• Thermarest Ridgerest Sol-Lite ¾ Length (8 oz.)
Sleeping Bag: (26 oz.)
• GoLite Ultra 20* Down Quilt (Long) – (26 oz)
Stove/Cooking Set: (7.4 oz.)
• Sea To Summit Alpha Light Spoon (0.4 oz.)
• Jetboil Sol Ti – Stripped (7 oz.)
Light: (3.9 oz.)
• Photo Micro Light (0.9 oz.)
• Petzl Tikka 2 Plus (3 oz.)
Firestarting / Tools: (1 oz.)
• Mini Bic Lighter (1 oz.)
Bathroom: (3oz.)
• Hand Sanitizer (1 oz.)
• Toilet Paper in Ziploc (2 oz.)
Bearproofing: (1.6 z.)
• ZPacks Cuben Fiber Rock Bag
• BPL Aircore Pro "UrsaLite" Dyneema Bear Bag Cord – (1.3oz/50ft) w/ Nite-Ize #2 Biner
Clothing:
1. Outer Layer: (6.5 oz.)
• Marmot Wind Hoodie (4 oz.) w/ DWR Tx
• Montbell UL Wind Pants (2.5 oz.)
2. Pants/Shorts: (10.4 oz.)
• Brooks Running Shorts (4.4 oz.)
• REI Long Underwear (6 oz.)
3. Shirts/ Sweaters: (13 oz.)
• Mountain Hardwear SS Top (4 oz.)
• Montbell Thermawrap Jacket (Large) (9 oz.)
4. Hats: (4.5 oz.)
• OR Sun Hat (2 oz.)
• Buff Headband (1 oz.)
• Blaze Orange Fleece Beanie (1.5 oz.)
5. Gloves: (2.5 oz.)
• Synthetic Glove Liners (1 oz)
• MLD eVent Mittens / Rainproof – (1 oz.)
6. Socks: (6 oz.)
• (3) Injini Micro Toe Socks (2 oz.)

Emergency / First Aid / Gear Repair (3 oz.) – Tenacious Tape, Aleve, Bacitracin, Bandages, Nitrile Gloves, Tums, Blister Pad, Leatherman CS

Maps / Photo/Ditty Bag: (16 oz.)
• Sony DSC-TX10 WP/SP/FP (4.5 OZ. camera) (spare battery ?)
• STICKPIC MOUNT (0.5 oz.)
• Phone (3 oz.)
• Journaling Paper + Pen (4 oz.)
• Guide Book Pages (4 oz.)
Water Storage / Purification: (5.6 oz.)
• SteriPen Adventurer Opti w/ Streamlight Lithium batteries (3.6 oz.)
• Powerade 1 L Bottle (2 oz.)
Food: (2.5 oz. empty)
• Sea To Summit 20 L Dry Bag (2.5 oz.)
Footwear / Gaiters: (19.8 oz.)
• New Balance MT101 Minimalist Running Shoes (18 oz. / pair – size 13)
• Superfeet Black UL Insoles (for Minimalistic Running Shoes)
• Dirty Girl Gaiters (1.8 oz.)
Trekking Poles: (19 oz.)
• Leki Makalu Corklite Poles (19 oz.)

TOTAL = 200.8 OZ. (12.55 LBS) Base Weight FSO (FROM SKIN OUT)

Worn / Carried and NOT in Pack: (58.8 oz. = 3.68 lbs)
Footwear / Gaiters: (19.8 oz.)
• New Balance MT101 Minimalist Running Shoes (18 oz. / pair – size 13)
• Superfeet Black UL Insoles
• Dirty Girl Gaiters (1.8 oz.)
Trekking Poles: (19 oz.)
• Leki Makalu Corklite Poles (19 oz.)
Clothing: (20 oz.)
• Mountain Hardwear T-Shirt ¼ Zip (4 oz.)
• Marmot Wind Hoodie (4 oz.)
• Buff Headband (1 oz.)
• OR Tech Mesh Hat (2 oz.)
• Injinji Toe Socks (two pair) (4 oz.)
• Brooks Running Shorts (4 oz.)
• Liner Gloves (1 oz.)

Overall Base Pack Weight Carried = 8.88 lbs (142 oz.)

Food 4 days @ 1.5 ppd = 96 oz. (6 lbs) (resupply available)
Jetboil 3.5 oz. Fuel = 7 oz. (8 days at 3 burns / day)
Water @ 0.5 Liters carried = 17.6 oz.

* Total pack weight for w/ 4 Days Food and Water= 16.41 lbs * (262.6 oz.)

Seth, your Marmot hoodie looks like it's not waterproof and will likely soak through quickly in sustained rain. The question is, will your gear prevent hypothermia in a heavy cold rain? You could always bail out to a town or hunker down in your shelter, but that might not be fun.

When are you doing this? The average temp for April up here is 45F and the mean low temp for April is in the low 30s. It tends to rain a lot some years. April showers bring May flowers, you know?

Good call Walter. The Marmot is only DWR coated – so yeah it would soak through in a hurry. I plan on bringing my DriDucks Jacket instead of the Marmot and keeping the light wind pants. I tested out my sleep system last night at 20* with a light breeze under the tarp, and it was warm enough for me to just sleep in fleece socks, long tights, t-shirt, and fleece hat (considering leaving it and bringing my fleece balaclava that weighs almost the same amount).

Confirmed with work that I have 9 days off starting March 22nd -March 30th. Still plan on going NOBO, and hope to do it in 8 days and sleep the 9th till I go back to work….but we shall see.

Still debating on going stove-less like I did for most of the A.T….but I do like my hot chocolate oatmeal in the morning…