Sierra Clothing Choices

[Matthew / BPL]

I’ve got two trips planned in the Sierra in the upcoming months. I plan to be out for three nights on each trip. I’m planning on hiking slowly and just poking around casually on both trips rather than trying to do lots of miles and hiking fast.

I have some questions about clothing for these trips.

Mid-July: Sabrina Lake to Midnight/Moonlight/Echo Lakes.

Second week of September: Horseshoe Meadow to Cottonwood Lakes to Mt. Langley.

My standard hiking clothing that I’ve been comfortable in with wet snow/rain/hail in the low 30s is:

• railriders eco-mesh pants
• patagonia tropic comfort hoodie
• montbell tachyon anorak windshirt
• montbell ex light anorak puffy
• 20D silnylon packa rain jacket
• silnylon rain skirt
• OR baseball hat
• buff
• smartwool liner gloves and TNF rain mitts
• i usually bring 150 weight icebreaker long johns and long sleeve tee as a dry backup for sleeping but I never wear them. I’ve been bringing the tee less often lately…

Does that seem adequate for these trips? I have a TNF TKA 100 quarter-zip fleece that I might bring in September or even July if rain seems likely.

I’m always warm at night on my XLite women’s pad (R3.9) and HG Burrow 20° quilt.

[Bri W]

Looks good to me, but if you run warm I’m a little worried about myself now! I’m doing the HST to Whitney at the end of July and I’m bringing similar items: MB Ex Lite Anorak, Tachyon wind jacket and pants, a poncho, and some Smartwool 250 BLs. I’ll be wearing OR Ferrosi convertible pants and a longsleeve icebreaker hoodie. Still contemplating a rain jacket. I think if I were going in September, I’d bring much warmer layers, but I run very cold.

[Matthew / BPL]

Thanks for responding, Bri. What extra layers would you bring in September?

I’m pretty confident about the July setup but I’m not sure quite what to expect in September. I’ll only be out for a few days and not that far from the trailhead if I misjudge but I’d rather not have to cut my trip short because of inadequate clothing choices.

[Ben C]

I think you’re good for July.  You could change out your long sleeve long john T for the fleece in September for very little weight gain if you are concerned about being warm enough in camp.  I think you’re good either way though.

[Matthew / BPL]

Yeah agreed on the L/S Tee to Fleece swap. The fleece weighs about an ounce more. That’s probably a good call.

[Justin Baker]

Your gear list looks more than adequate. If you get cold easily then a very light fleece might be worth bringing as a safety item for active use in storms, but generally not necessary.

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