AT SOBO Quilt Temp

I think 50F would be a little too light, especially with a Ghost Whisperer. You will not die, but it will be too cold in nights below 30F. I’ve found the quilt that is rated for 40F comfort is good to lower than that with layers like your system. I get what you are saying; I prefer sleeping cooler, but being actually cold is miserable.

Admin: I accidentally clicked the report button instead of the reply. My apologies!

Thanks for the reply, Michael. I was leaning that way myself. Any recommendations on bumping up the warmth of the 50, versus selling and procuring a 40?

you could go with a liner, or procure some slightly more robust down jacket, pants and booties. Honestly, that would be a fine set up, just not sure if it is more cost effective. It is definitely more modular, but I think I would still go with a warmer quilt. I would wait and see what some other folks might say about the AT in general; I am a west coaster so I am giving general advice about temps, and nothing specific to east coast hiking.

I would not go with a 50 degree quilt. Honestly, I would take a 20, maybe a 30 if you sleep warm. The Whites can be downright cold (and windy) even in summer. I don’t know your pace, but you could get some cold winter/fall hikes in the southern AT as well. I spent a pretty chilly night in a 30 down quilt in Shenandoah over Thanksgiving.  I now usually carry a 20 down quilt for most occasions and just ventilate when needed. It really adds little extra weight.

WJ,

My system is to take a puffy top and bottom, and use them in cold snaps when relaxing in camp, and wearing them in the sleeping bag when sleeping.  The ‘dual use’ approach has kept me warm carrying the least weight.

I live on the border of the WMNF and have packed all over Maine.  If you’re starting in June and heading south, and given the climate change,  you are most likely to face freezing rain as the greatest challenge.  So you’d need some WPB rain gear of good quality.  I use Patagonia, but have not tried others simply because the Patagonia has never failed me.

Tried getting to the Guyot shelter via the Zealand ridge one winter, and the snow was so deep and blocked by blowdowns, we had to turn back and camped at the Zeacliff pond.  But on the Presidential ridge in June on the AT, there could be snow.  We did it in May one year, but did not run into postholing until we had crossed the peak of Mt W and reached below treeline.  But with global warming, some snow and freezing rain is more likely by June, assuming no hurricanes.  But bring Microspikes, and bring a good PLB or the like.  We had a spell of hikers with hypothermia this summer, with one death.