Help - NH Hut Traverse Gear List

“My wife and I are planning a NH hut traverse )Zealand - Greenleaf) this summer (July/Aug). We were trying to plan our packs, and we are thinking about what to bring along.

Since spring is here, we can start hitting the trail. We are looking to do some dry-runs with the packweights on dayhike lengths.

Should I just basically pack for an overnight, but without the shelter and sleep system, and less food?”

“I guess it would depend on how many days you plan to hike.

I don't really know the hut system, but I'll bet you'll get some help here and a few links too.”

“Google khas a bunch of links. It sounds interesting. Have fun.”

“This is a link to the AMC's website, hut section, "what to bring"

http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/hiking/hiking-gear.cfm”

“In that area I would always carry overnight gear, just for emergencies. Others may disagree (and likely will).”

“I usually use a cotton sleep sack in the huts.

You can sew over a flat sheet, or buy (REI Campmor, EMS) a sleep sack.

The huts supply wool blankets.

Don't go overboard on clothes. Zeland to Greenleaf is what .. .a 4 day hike? In to Zealnd, over to galehead, over to Greenleaf and out.

I wouldn't bother for instance with a "ful set of clothes" for each day.

One (maybe two) shirts to hike in, and one to be civilized in once you get to the hut.

One, (maybe two)pairs of hiking shorts. And something to change into once you get to the hut.

Long sleeve poly pro, wind/rain jacket .. . .”

“I have the route all planned out, and the mileage per day. We plan to be out for 3 days, with mileage of >8-8-10.

While I know that there is a great amount of info on the web, those AMC-posted gear lists tend to be overkill. I DO have experience in the Whites, and I know what the weather can be like. I guess a lot of it will have to do with the prevailing weather at the time.

I plan to leave the sleeping/shelter systems at home, but I also have a space blanket (emergency), and I plan to bring a summer-weight sleeping bag (emergency too).”

“Lee - thanks. That is the kind of reasoning/experience that I was looking for in a response/confirmation.”

“Even for Mt. Washington I don't carry rain pants in the summer - just some long pants that will still insulate and offer wind resistance when wet, and dry ones to put on when I find shelter. I also don't carry a hat, just a non-cotton head band that will provide some extra insulation under the hood of a water proof jacket. I carry a pair of non-cotton liner gloves always for the
Presidentials, but not necessarily for Mt. Lafayette which is the highest and most exposed you'll get.

I also do fine with an fleece vest rather than a jacket in the summer, even for the Presis. I also carry a synthetic long sleeved liner shirt and liner pants (aka long underwear). If you are carrying a sleeping bag and space blanket and long liner pantsand shirt - you can get away with a vest instead of a full sweater or jacket.”

“If you layer a short sleeve poly pro, with long sleeve poly pro, with a fleece vest, a rain/wind jacket and a hat . . .you should be good (if moving) down to about 20 degrees and wet weather. Which should be much worse than you will find on Layfayette.

(Just don't stop moving.)

I personally think the summer bag is overkill. It would certainly stink to be out overnight, off the trail, lost between two of the huts in the rain . . .but . . ..the route your following is pretty well beaten . ..

The one of the biggest advantages of the huts imo is the "go light" aspect.

I have done it with my wife and 2 sons, been able to stay on the ridgeline (Lakes) and not had to break my back to schlept for 3.
(albeit I was carry almost full pack weight what with everyone elses gear).

I have used the huts by mself when trying to get a series of peaks b/c of the light load it affords you.



For long "pants" I'd go with 1 pair of microfleece or softshell type wind resistance material. And I wouldn't hike in them unless conditions got DIRE.

Hike in shorts with a mesh liner . .change into the microfleece in the hut. Know that you have them in your pack as back up if things go to heck. Generally my legs take care of themselves much above 30 degrees.
(when moving).”

“I cross-listed this with a new thread (http://tinyurl.com/3xgwfk), but I figured I should put it up here again too.
know that I visited this subject before

I'm going up into the huts from Thurs - Sat of this week.

With the weather looking to be in the 40s (lows in the 30s) with windy conditions (25+ mph), I'm wondering if I should pack heavier.

Weather Reports:
TWC: http://tinyurl.com/yvbldd
NWS: http://tinyurl.com/2a7ak5
MWO: http://tinyurl.com/ybzgnr

I initially was going to pack a LS shirt, wind shirt, and fleece vest.

Now, I'm thinking about packing my Marmot rain jacket and possibly my Mtn Hardwear Windpro fleece.

I may just compromise and take the vest and rain jacket. That should keep me warm enough.

I'm also packing running tights and rain pants for the legs, JIC.

Are there any alternate suggestions out there?”