Dan, I know it's pricey but want to mention this jacket, the Arcteryx Atom LT. Man that is the most perfect jacket for backpacking. It's also very very light and can handle down to freezing or below without moving around to stay warm (and I'm a cold sleeper). I think it's like 8 or 9 ounces. +edit Plus, you can hike in it, it vents nicely on the sides with the fleece side panels yet giving you necessary wind protection and warmth
Excellent information as always, Dan. Frigidly sleeping in the high 20s at the Grand Canyon rim last year definitely had me rethinking my cold weather gear.
I really like your videos. Not to long, and informative. I too have been caught in an unexpected snow storm in the sierras (May ). I was alone, with no-one else around for a couple of miles. Although beautiful to be in a winter wonderland , the trails disappear under snow !! So route finding can be important . .
Justin McKinney must have been a bit scary to have been alone, at least it would be for me! I felt lucky to have been with a few other hikers. And yes route finding did get tricky for us.
Good info 👍 I've been through winter time survival living and hiking where the daytime temperature was 15 degrees., nighttime. Negative 10 At this low temperatures, besides layering...insulated coveralls played a HUGE role.
Hey Dan We may have crossed paths during that storm. Me and a really tall skinny guy were at Benson and Smedberg lakes the night before the storm hit. We were up at the top of Matterhorn canyon when we got that foot of snow overnight and had planned on exiting over burro and mule passes but due to the snow we backtracked and headed to tuolumne via the pct. That was interesting in the snow. The forecast was for a couple of inches. We had lightweight non waterproof shoes. Since we were only out for 8 days I had the option to bring my bigger pack at the last minute and threw in my fleece and gloves. There were a lot of PCTers finishing up that section due to the high spring snows. You probably ran into whiskey treks and another solo guy that seemed to be losing his mind. We also ran into a cute dreadlock stoner girl and 2 dudes walking northbound in a full on blizzard acting like it was a nice summer day. I worried about all you pct guys staying warm. September Sierra snow is not unusual but a foot or more is. That was more like a mid October storm which is no joke and not a time to be out unprepared.. Thanks for laying tracks to Tuolumne Meadows!
It definitely didn't feel like a nice summer day for me or the hikers I was with lol. We were a little... concerned. Honestly I have a hard time remembering exactly who we passed on our way to Tuolumne but we did see at least one girl around Benson Pass. What luck for the northbounders who skipped around the section only to come back and get hit with that storm. Tough year. It was my impression at the time that the storm was pretty unseasonable but thanks for clearing it up. By the way, your snow gear videos back in '17 were quite helpful to me in preparing for my hike, even though I was getting ready for the Cascades it was still solid advice.
You have gained a lot of skills for a young guy by just being out there. Glad an old guy like me could be helpful in any way. I have never completed a long trail but hope to when I retire in a couple of years. I have nothing but respect for anyone that has completed the PCT. I'm looking forward to more Sierra High Route videos. Be careful out there!
Thanks for the tip on the Gossamer Gear 1/8" pad. Just ordered one for my upcoming AZT hike. I was thinking how to prevent a puncture without adding too much weight. The Neo Xlite sliding around has been a constant annoyance as well hope this solves the problem.
Christopher P. It’ll help with the sliding, and is probably similar in weight to a trimmed down tyvek groundsheet. But the thinlight won’t cover the length of a regular Neoair so just be careful with the part that overhangs, maybe put your pack liner underneath.
at 11:23. Is that the Columbia Ice Fields (with Mt Andromeda) in Alberta in the background? If so, they have much receded since I was there 50 years ago.
Yes that is the Athabasca Glacier off of the Columbia Icefield. Along the walkway leading to the glacier there were signs marking where it had been every decade. Right now it’s receding about 5m a year. Very sad.
No snow when I was hiking in the Sierra in Septmber 2018. A JMT hiker at VVR said her thermometer read 20 F that morning, and I had ice in my water bottles on three of the mornings. I'd say subfreezing weather is common in the Sierra in September as I also had several cold nights (frozen water bottles, but nobody around with a thermometer to tell me how cold) when I was hiking in the Sierra in late August/early September 2017. My Revelation 20F quilt worked well both years as well as during some cold early season hiking in the Trinity Alps. I use a balaclava with the quilt on the cold nights. Dryer lint and vaseline also works great as a fire starter, ad I always bring a fire kit with me, even while day hiking in case I get injured and need to start a fire.
How late were you there in September? Yeah subfreezing is definitely common in September and even late August. To be more clear, in the video I meant that snow storms and nights in the teens aren’t exactly typical until October from what I’ve read. In fact, the first snow has occurred in September only three of the last ten years, with 2017 (sep 20) being the earliest by a week. Always having at least a lighter is probably wise, I just wanted to stress that it’s more critical in shoulder season. Thanks for your input!
Kelly Jones I think a quilt is fine down into the 20s F. Sure, in those conditions I would have liked to have had a 10 degree mummy, but I’m not going to carry that for the whole trail and I’m not going to buy another sleeping bag for a 2 week section. The versatility of a quilt wins on a thruhike imo.
Donny Sutrisna this is for southbounders, so Microspikes and ice axe won’t be needed because any snow you’d encounter would be just a few inches to a foot of fresh powder. And because this video is about staying warm, I didn’t talk about bear canisters, but you’ll notice I included one in the gear list in the description.
Refreshing honesty. Sick of seeing the hike half naked "full comfort" on freezing nights crap. Recommendations based on ideal conditions will get someone killed. Nobody gets 6 months straight of ideal conditions on the PCT.
Best middle layer is wool. Unlike virtually all synthetics, it will hold warmth even when wet. And if things get so bad to need a survival fire, it wont melt like synthetics. One of these days, a spring hiker is gonna find a frozen corps with melted gear all around the remains of a survival fire. But the useless $13 titanium spork will survive.
Dan, I know it's pricey but want to mention this jacket, the Arcteryx Atom LT. Man that is the most perfect jacket for backpacking. It's also very very light and can handle down to freezing or below without moving around to stay warm (and I'm a cold sleeper). I think it's like 8 or 9 ounces. +edit Plus, you can hike in it, it vents nicely on the sides with the fleece side panels yet giving you necessary wind protection and warmth
Excellent information as always, Dan. Frigidly sleeping in the high 20s at the Grand Canyon rim last year definitely had me rethinking my cold weather gear.
nobodyhikes the GC can definitely get cold! Especially the north rim. What time of year were you there?
@@DanStenziano I was there early November. Frozen water at the rim but pleasant in the canyon.
nobodyhikes nice, I’d rather have that than blazing hot in the canyon!
Thanks for the videos! I really enjoy your honesty and candid remarks. I hope you have many more great experiences ahead.
vegan ist glad to hear it! I have a lot of great stuff planned this year. Thanks for watching 🙂
I really like your videos. Not to long, and informative. I too have been caught in an unexpected snow storm in the sierras (May ). I was alone, with no-one else around for a couple of miles. Although beautiful to be in a winter wonderland , the trails disappear under snow !! So route finding can be important . .
Justin McKinney must have been a bit scary to have been alone, at least it would be for me! I felt lucky to have been with a few other hikers. And yes route finding did get tricky for us.
Good info 👍
I've been through winter time survival living and hiking where the daytime temperature was 15 degrees., nighttime. Negative 10
At this low temperatures, besides layering...insulated coveralls played a HUGE role.
good job on your review.
Hey Dan
We may have crossed paths during that storm. Me and a really tall skinny guy were at Benson and Smedberg lakes the night before the storm hit. We were up at the top of Matterhorn canyon when we got that foot of snow overnight and had planned on exiting over burro and mule passes but due to the snow we backtracked and headed to tuolumne via the pct. That was interesting in the snow. The forecast was for a couple of inches. We had lightweight non waterproof shoes. Since we were only out for 8 days I had the option to bring my bigger pack at the last minute and threw in my fleece and gloves. There were a lot of PCTers finishing up that section due to the high spring snows. You probably ran into whiskey treks and another solo guy that seemed to be losing his mind. We also ran into a cute dreadlock stoner girl and 2 dudes walking northbound in a full on blizzard acting like it was a nice summer day. I worried about all you pct guys staying warm. September Sierra snow is not unusual but a foot or more is. That was more like a mid October storm which is no joke and not a time to be out unprepared.. Thanks for laying tracks to Tuolumne Meadows!
It definitely didn't feel like a nice summer day for me or the hikers I was with lol. We were a little... concerned. Honestly I have a hard time remembering exactly who we passed on our way to Tuolumne but we did see at least one girl around Benson Pass. What luck for the northbounders who skipped around the section only to come back and get hit with that storm. Tough year. It was my impression at the time that the storm was pretty unseasonable but thanks for clearing it up. By the way, your snow gear videos back in '17 were quite helpful to me in preparing for my hike, even though I was getting ready for the Cascades it was still solid advice.
You have gained a lot of skills for a young guy by just being out there. Glad an old guy like me could be helpful in any way. I have never completed a long trail but hope to when I retire in a couple of years. I have nothing but respect for anyone that has completed the PCT. I'm looking forward to more Sierra High Route videos. Be careful out there!
@@ApeMan Awesome, good luck making it happen!
Super helpful! Thanks!
Thanks for the tip on the Gossamer Gear 1/8" pad. Just ordered one for my upcoming AZT hike. I was thinking how to prevent a puncture without adding too much weight. The Neo Xlite sliding around has been a constant annoyance as well hope this solves the problem.
Christopher P. It’ll help with the sliding, and is probably similar in weight to a trimmed down tyvek groundsheet. But the thinlight won’t cover the length of a regular Neoair so just be careful with the part that overhangs, maybe put your pack liner underneath.
at 11:23. Is that the Columbia Ice Fields (with Mt Andromeda) in Alberta in the background? If so, they have much receded since I was there 50 years ago.
Yes that is the Athabasca Glacier off of the Columbia Icefield. Along the walkway leading to the glacier there were signs marking where it had been every decade. Right now it’s receding about 5m a year. Very sad.
No snow when I was hiking in the Sierra in Septmber 2018. A JMT hiker at VVR said her thermometer read 20 F that morning, and I had ice in my water bottles on three of the mornings. I'd say subfreezing weather is common in the Sierra in September as I also had several cold nights (frozen water bottles, but nobody around with a thermometer to tell me how cold) when I was hiking in the Sierra in late August/early September 2017. My Revelation 20F quilt worked well both years as well as during some cold early season hiking in the Trinity Alps. I use a balaclava with the quilt on the cold nights.
Dryer lint and vaseline also works great as a fire starter, ad I always bring a fire kit with me, even while day hiking in case I get injured and need to start a fire.
How late were you there in September? Yeah subfreezing is definitely common in September and even late August. To be more clear, in the video I meant that snow storms and nights in the teens aren’t exactly typical until October from what I’ve read. In fact, the first snow has occurred in September only three of the last ten years, with 2017 (sep 20) being the earliest by a week.
Always having at least a lighter is probably wise, I just wanted to stress that it’s more critical in shoulder season.
Thanks for your input!
@@DanStenziano I started just before Labor Day weekend and left around September 15 (I can't remember exactly when and don't feel like looking it up).
When it Gets down t0 - 0`C it's always a full sleeping bag etc
Kelly Jones I think a quilt is fine down into the 20s F. Sure, in those conditions I would have liked to have had a 10 degree mummy, but I’m not going to carry that for the whole trail and I’m not going to buy another sleeping bag for a 2 week section. The versatility of a quilt wins on a thruhike imo.
Great video! Those are some nice choices. I hiked in 17 flipping and flopping all over the place. Did you happen to hike with Potters or Kyle?
Duane Hundley nope I did not. But man, 2017 was such a crazy year haha, a lot of people were flipping all over.
What about bear can, microspike and ice axe
Donny Sutrisna this is for southbounders, so Microspikes and ice axe won’t be needed because any snow you’d encounter would be just a few inches to a foot of fresh powder. And because this video is about staying warm, I didn’t talk about bear canisters, but you’ll notice I included one in the gear list in the description.
Refreshing honesty. Sick of seeing the hike half naked "full comfort" on freezing nights crap.
Recommendations based on ideal conditions will get someone killed. Nobody gets 6 months straight of ideal conditions on the PCT.
Thumbs up if you bought your R1 years ago and have not taken it off since.
Don't get caught in the mix!!
Vinny Mullin the dreaded mix 😖 uh oh I think I’m having flashbacks!
Best middle layer is wool. Unlike virtually all synthetics, it will hold warmth even when wet. And if things get so bad to need a survival fire, it wont melt like synthetics.
One of these days, a spring hiker is gonna find a frozen corps with melted gear all around the remains of a survival fire.
But the useless $13 titanium spork will survive.