Long Trail in October?

[oruoja]

The "bad weather" bypass to Camel's Hump is known as the Alpine Trail. However, you should actually also use the Monroe and Dean trail to Wind Gap at Montclair Lodge south of the Hump as the Long Trail is still pretty rough in this stretch. For solo cold weather hikes on the Long Trail I recommend having the guide book to know the locations of the various side trails and their destinations should the need arise to get off the trail itself.

[Jester2000]

Much good advice so far, I think, and some of your gear choices may depend on the weather outlook as you get closer. The Farmer's Almanac predicts a milder fall and winter than normal, so, you know, keep that in mind, but also know that the mountains make the weather, and it could get nasty. You'll also want to decide for yourself how comfortable you want to be and how prepared you want to be if things get nasty.

A couple points, some LT specific, and some just 'cause of the time of year.

If Southbounding and there's snow by then, plan on having a vehicle more rugged than, say, a Plymouth Reliant for getting to the trail that takes you to the trailhead.

As others have noted, be particularly careful on Camel's Hump, especially on your way down. True, you'll be on the Southern face, but if there's ice, I'd turn around.

Blaze orange is a good idea. If you don't want to carry extra weight, get a blaze orange hat & gloves, and if you want to go nuts, there are reversible blaze orange pack covers available.

If it's cold and you're not a hammock guy, a thicker sleeping pad might be a good idea, as well as wearing your hat at night. You definitely want a 20 degree bag at least.

Carrying slightly more fuel than usual isn't a bad idea.

Neither is making sure that you drink as much water as you can. Water sources will be lower, even if it does rain, and in colder weather it's harder to notice that you're getting dehydrated.

As noted, it gets dark earlier. So plan on getting up and out early, even if you're not a morning person, and consider bringing something to entertain yourself at night (book, porn, whatever).

Eat cheese before you go to bed.

If I were you, I'd also make sure that at least one disastrous non-fatal thing happens to you, so that you'll have a funny story to post here afterwards.

Good luck!

[Cookerhiker]

In 2005 I attempted the LT going Southbound starting on Oct 12th. It rained for the first 8 days. Then it was dry for 2 days. Then we got a foot of snow north of Kilington and I was done.

Lessons I learned:
....
5. Do not sleep in any shelters. Never again will I sleep in one of those mouse-infested hell holes.
.....

Does that depend on the time of year? I just finished the entire LT (I flipflopped, hiking Rt. 4 to Canada, then Rt. 4 to Mass.) and stayed in shelters most nights. Except for last night at Seth Warner shelter where there's bear activity causing me to hang my food in a tree, I hung the food bag in the shelter every night and didn't have a single mouse problem.

[oruoja]

I don't think the time of year so much matters. It's just maybe the year. I have done the Long Trail four times and frequent many areas on multi-day trips. I have been in shelters from March to November and it's hit or miss on the rodent and bug issues. With limited exceptions I have few issues in Vt shelters when I do use them. Last weekend I spent a night at William Douglas shelter in the Lye Brook Wilderness and had no problems. The shelter journal even had entries from others being surprised at the lack of problem pests. Just a few miles north at Spruce Peak shelter it has been mouse hell this year.

[Rainbow_Brite]

I flip-flopped on the AT last year, and went southbound through Vermont in mid-late October. I can't speak for above the Maine Junction, but below it last year I ran into freezing temperatures, winter storms, and snow up to almost a foot in places. The norm was probably a few inches of snow covering the mud. The one thing I'd think hard about it how to keep your feet warm/dry. I used full leather boots, so my feet very rarely got wet, but my hiking partner - and others out there - used only cloth boots or trail runners and had issues with cold/wet feet. If it does snow, you'll be tramping through the snow and mud and frozen puddles which you'll break through all day. At least that was my experience. Hope you have fun!

[JoeHiker]

Does that depend on the time of year? I just finished the entire LT (I flipflopped, hiking Rt. 4 to Canada, then Rt. 4 to Mass.) and stayed in shelters most nights. Except for last night at Seth Warner shelter where there's bear activity causing me to hang my food in a tree, I hung the food bag in the shelter every night and didn't have a single mouse problem.

I had no problem hanging my food in the shelters. I just used one of those mouse baffles (read - a really big tuna can on a string) to keep them away. But I stopped sleeping in them myself after the 3rd night.

[JAK]

What's the difference between the Long Trail and the IAT?
Is the Long Trail the portion of the IAT that ends at the Canadian border?

[Lone Wolf]

What's the difference between the Long Trail and the IAT?
Is the Long Trail the portion of the IAT that ends at the Canadian border?

the LT goes from the Mass. border to the Canada border. Solely in Vermont

[JAK]

So I was way off then.
So if I ever do either I guess I should bring a map eh.

[emerald]

JAK, you can learn more about The Long Trail by visiting GMC's website. The A.T. follows the LT from Mass through southern Vermont until it bears east toward New Hampshire at The Maine Junction.

[jollies]

Lots of good stuff and opinions, everyone. Thanks for all of the insight. I hope to be prepared to do this trip. I think two things I am really going to emphasize in my gear are a down jacket (instead of my fleece) and a bear cannister so that I don't have to worry about my food being disturbed. Other than that, warmer clothes are a definite.

[oruoja]

Lots of good stuff and opinions, everyone. Thanks for all of the insight. I hope to be prepared to do this trip. I think two things I am really going to emphasize in my gear are a down jacket (instead of my fleece) and a bear cannister so that I don't have to worry about my food being disturbed. Other than that, warmer clothes are a definite.

The bear cannister in my opinion and experience in Vt is overkill. Fleece would work fine as long you layer and a good rain shell in case of cold rain and windy conditions.

[JAK]

Thanks Shades of Gray.
I noticed from GMC site, or someplace I googled Long Trail, that there are more deer in Vermont than New Brunswick, but fewer Black Bear. So that would make sense not to bother with the bear cannister, as I would not here. I would still hang though, except in winter. I don't hang in winter. Hmmm. Should I?

[JoeHiker]

I bear bagged once or twice in VT but never needed to. Some shelters are 4 sided so you can leave your food in there. At least I did. But then again, I was sleeping outside. I actually left my food hanging in all shelters, 3 and 4 sided.

[jollies]

So I am gathering from you folks that you don't think I need to worry about foraging wildlife like bears? I am planning to stay mostly in shelters, so do I need to worry about cooking before I get to the shelters to discourage wildlife from being drawn there? I have a really nice Patagonia R4 fleece, but I was thinking to cut some weight via a Montbell Down Inner Jacket instead.

[GPK]

Jollies -

I'm the one who contacted you for a shuttle. I've hiked the LT each month, June, July, August, Sept and October. I've sectined hike in November ( north to south) - but it took seveal years because of the weather. Every year is different. You cannot predict the weather. August and September are my favorites. You're either lucky or not. JoeHiker and Pedxing were 2 of my shuttles who post here, but there are many more who don't. If October is your time then I say try it as opposed to not - you can never tell, but odds are aginst you in October.

Good Luck - GPK

[Cookerhiker]

Lots of good stuff and opinions, everyone. Thanks for all of the insight. I hope to be prepared to do this trip. I think two things I am really going to emphasize in my gear are a down jacket (instead of my fleece) and a bear cannister so that I don't have to worry about my food being disturbed. Other than that, warmer clothes are a definite.

I don't think a bear cannister is worth the weight.

[Jan LiteShoe]

I don't think a bear cannister is worth the weight.

Ditto. Not in Vermont, anyway. Maybe in the Sierras.

[Cookerhiker]

Ditto. Not in Vermont, anyway. Maybe in the Sierras.

The Park Service and Forest Service require bear cannisters on the John Muir Trail and for all I know, other parts of the Sierra as well.

[Lone Wolf]

So I am gathering from you folks that you don't think I need to worry about foraging wildlife like bears? I am planning to stay mostly in shelters, so do I need to worry about cooking before I get to the shelters to discourage wildlife from being drawn there? I have a really nice Patagonia R4 fleece, but I was thinking to cut some weight via a Montbell Down Inner Jacket instead.

me and gypsy hiked quite a bit of the LT last month. we tented every nite. kept our food in the tent with us. had 1 mouse screw with us. he died