Enchantments in June; staying WARM

[Nick E.]

Hello all!

So, got my chants permit and its for *dum dum dummm* June 18th (entry) for FIVE DAYS. this,is a core-zone permit.

Id been hoping for a bit later because now I have to tweak the sam hill outta my gear!

I need the lightest warmth possible, im thinking ill need to deal with below-freezing temps about every night. Herez what ill likely take:
MYOG silny pack (roughy murmer size)
Full length ridgerest trimmed (AMAP)
Sleeping bag (ill be buying a new one for the trip…SUGGESTIONS? im thinkin FF..)
Patagonia cap2 tops n bottoms
3 pairs socks TOTAL (1 worn, 1 sleep pair, a 3rd pair im thinkin of,not taking)
Fleece gloves
Shell mits
Pants (NO CLUE but im thinking,of a roughly $200 pair or WPB's…climbers, any UL suggestions??)
Gaitors (knee high. C'mon, june snow and an aasgards climb? Kneehigh.)
Patagonia nanopuff hoodie (considering,a down hoodie)
Fleece or down ins. pants (also 2nd sleep pants)
Tarp (also ill dig into snow to make,tarp/snow shelter for added warmth n shelter)

all the gear here without the gaitors comes in at about 4lbs but keep in mind that i'll be looking at performance first and weight second, due to the temps and alpine conditions i'll be in. i wouldnt be so concerned if it were just 2 or heck even 3 days but 5 days in alping conditions is a little intimidating. i'm not stranger to snow travel but this time i am seeking the help of seasoned climbers and hikers to help me make this trip in a sort of, m"measure twice cut once" fashion. i want to be able to kick back and stay warm in the mornings and night or during rest stops and i DONT want to deal with faulty gear that wont keep my dry and warm.

So anyway its my first,time to the chants in june with snow on the pass and im really,trying to be warm and dry and I HAVE to be light. Im shooting for a sub-8lb base but for the conditions im hoping its even possible! Oh im also using a ponchotarp for a jacket I,think. Hey if thru hikers can beat the sierras I figure I can be UL for 5 days in the chants:)

I cant stop thinkin about this so plz any and all knowledge is so very welcome and appreciated!

[Jerry Adams]

June 18 – probably huge amount of snow, may be very severe weather

Snowshoes?

Some sort of heavy duty parka?

Maybe that's not the trip for a tarp, maybe need more of a mountaineering tent?

Are you familiar with the route? Maybe a GPS and GPS track would be helpful.

What kind of boots are you taking?

[Nick E.]

I know the route well. Ive been up to the chants half a dozen times in SUMMER. Im thinking thermals, a real good insulating layer, shell, something like that. Maybe arrange my wardrobe like: thermal-fleece-puffy-shell.

Im thinking leather lowtop event-lined lowtop hikers and gaiters.

I know I need a gnarly pair of pants, breathable and hardy with no chance of wet-out.

I would use a tarp in combination with a bivy and a 0, or 15 degree bag. I dig a snow pit and pitch tarp over it.

[Jerry Adams]

I've been there a few times, also in the summer

I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June.

Sounds like you know what you're doing – it will be an adventure.

Maybe you'll get lucky and have good weather.

[Nick E.]

cool havent checked out that portland hikers site thanks for that.
i can do fine on overnights and 3-days in the snow but its the 3rd day i'm worried about. never spent more than 3 days in snow and it was like, 70% snow-hiking so i'm trying to really feel this out and figure out how to live in snow..

[Brad Abrahams]

I'm also heading to the enchantments, but the last week of july. Will the weather have significantly changed by then?
Good luck with everything and I would lov to ask you some q's when you are back.

Brad

[Jerry Adams]

I've gone there a number of times in September. Still a lot of snow then.

Expect a lot of snow in July. Hard to find trail. Steep icy places. But the weather should be good.

[Link .]

I went at the last week of July year 2010 and the weather was great and not a lot of snow.Their will be of course some snow but we we didn't need anything special and the temps were in the mid 70's to 80's the entire time,it was a great time to go.I don't know about the snow conditions this year ,but there were a lot of mosquitoes.

[Will Elliott]

Silnylon works great for me for rain pants. They're not hard to make. From a climber's perspective, I don't buy into the 'gnarly pants' thing. Too expensive, heavy. I'd just wear something with DWR like Patagonia Simple Guide pants, make some rain pants, and definitely bring puffy pants.

Lots of good info here: http://thingstolucat.com/

I think food can make a difference.

Balaclava?

Maybe a more complete gear list will help us get a better picture of where to tweak.

Sounds like a fun trip!

[Will Elliott]

Thermal fleece puffy shell…

Switch the last two.

Underlayers, wind shirt, puffy.

Like

Wool shirt
R1 pullover
Plus whatever as needed
Houdini
Belay parka

And then the shell if you are stopped and it is precipitating. E.g

From silverthrone

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