Lighten the Load

[REB]

Planning an AT trip through Smokies in mid June and need to lighten my load. I was looking at the average low temperatures. I'm trying to swap my sleeping bag out for a super light blanket of such. Now I'm carrying a 3 lb. 600 fill down bag. Can I get away with just a 'bag liner'? Any suggestions? I don't want to spend a bunch of money.

[garlic08]

Consider a 30F or 40F quilt, down if you can afford it, something in the 1 to 1.5 pound range. Personally I wouldn't head into the Appalachians without some loft in my sleeping insulation. The average temps you see may be at a park office, and it's best to plan for the extremes.

Some years ago I bought a nice enLightened Equipment down quilt for a summer trip, spent some money on it, and have never regretted it--it was the best backcountry gear purchase I've ever made.

[gbolt]

Garlic is correct. Quilts really do save weight but are safer in the mountains and close in weight to the bag liners. Check out a 40* Hammock Gear Econ Burrow. Good quality for the price and weight as well as very versatile for multiple seasons, including Summer when it can be opened fully and just slide on late night to keep off the chill.

[rhjanes]

+1 on above. Plus all the temperatures you see reported, are down in the towns, in the valleys.

[LoneStranger]

Garlic is correct. Quilts really do save weight but are safer in the mountains and close in weight to the bag liners. Check out a 40* Hammock Gear Econ Burrow. Good quality for the price and weight as well as very versatile for multiple seasons, including Summer when it can be opened fully and just slide on late night to keep off the chill.

This is good advice

Almost all my quilts and underquilts are HG Econs. Great value for the dollars.

[AvidHikerDude]

I use a REI Radiant 19 degree sleeping bag. Has come in quite handy in 23 degree weather, with snow. During those nights, I actually had to open it and fan some of the body heat out of it. During the hot summer months, I use it as either a blanket, if needed, or extra padding on top of my Klymit sleeping pad.

[needlefish]

Hammock Gear Economy, good value for the money.

[HooKooDooKu]

The seasonal temps at the highest point in GSMNP in June is hi/lol of 60/49. But that's just average. Typical temps will be +/-10 or so with extreme unlikely weather being +/-20. So while I've experienced temperatures in the 30s at Icewater Springs shelter in July, that's not what you need to plan for. Plan for the lows to be upper 40s, and check the forecast before you leave to know if you need an extra warm layer.
I have a 2lb 32degree bag that that I use in GSMNP unless I know I can expect temps at or below freezing.

[illabelle]

Early May of 2021 we did a loop hike utilizing a side trail from Clingman's Dome Road. When we returned to our vehicle, we saw sleet and a little bit of snow. Last year was a little unusual, but it wasn't unheard of. Without adequate insulation, we'd have been miserable.

[illabelle]

Early May of 2021 we did a loop hike utilizing a side trail from Clingman's Dome Road. When we returned to our vehicle, we saw sleet and a little bit of snow. Last year was a little unusual, but it wasn't unheard of. Without adequate insulation, we'd have been miserable.

And a month later, we did a loop that included THIRTY creek crossings, yes, THIRTY! By early June, the temperatures had warmed nicely so that the creek was refreshing, not numbingly cold.

[HooKooDooKu]

Here's a web page that estimates the weather forecast at elevation.
This one is specifically for Clingman's Dome (highest point in GSMNP).
Check it out before you head out on your trip to get a clue on how much insulation you'll likely need.
https://www.mountain-forecast.com/pe...forecasts/2025

[rustmd]

For AT weather, check atweather.org
.com

[Daybreak]

Wow these are both great sites. The first gives only peaks but lots and lots of them. The second has forecasts detailed from NOAA for all AT shelters and also includes PCT prominent spots. On the PCT/JMT, the first gives the weather forecast for the top of Whitney while the second gives it at the PCT/AT trail junction.

Btw if you click on the Whiteblaze odds and ends button you can get to an AT weather button which oops doesn't seem to work,

[bigcranky]

We've had frost in the Southern Appalachians in June, and pretty late in June. Often the lows are in the low 50s all summer, which is well below the point where I am happy in a bag liner. A 45F quilt need not cost a fortune. My Jacks R Better Shenandoah Quilt was under $200 and has lasted more than a decade of moderate to heavy use.

[OwenM]

Can I get away with just a 'bag liner'? Any suggestions? I don't want to spend a bunch of money.

No. You will see 50s, possibly high 40s in June.
My budget choices would be the Marmot Micron 40 or 50.
They have 650 fill, too, but are around 18 and 24 ounces, respectively.

[HankIV]

Agree a bag liner is a bad risk/reward wager. Suggest checking out “selling used gear” thread or scope out REI used gear to see if you can pick up a bargain.

[jorge99s]

I bought a Jacks R Better 40 down quilt years back and have always carried in the summer months in the smokies. They are quality and the price tag should be a little less than other brands but the quality is not lacking.

[cmoulder]

I bought a Jacks R Better 40 down quilt years back and have always carried in the summer months in the smokies. They are quality and the price tag should be a little less than other brands but the quality is not lacking.

I recently bought a JRB Sierra Stealth quilt (40deg) and the quality is excellent. For a long time I've wanted to try the concept of the dual-purpose quilt. It has a hole in the middle for your head that converts it to a down poncho, which I think will prove useful for a lot of trips where I need the down jacket only in the morning before getting on the trail.

[RockDoc]

I would just say that possibly the worst experience you can have hiking/camping is to have an insufficiently warm sleeping system. The ratings for bags is the point at which you will be miserable (ask me how I know..). Would tend to use something warmer than you think you will need. This is from someone who has suffered and frozen on the AT more than once, and yes possibly in the Smokies in June. At least you can often make a fire in the shelters.

[greentick]

Surplus poncho liner if you're cheap. Probably one of the best pieces of .mil gear applicable to hiking.