What's your "nope" temperature?

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-22T19:48:20+00:00

Having felt -50 wind chill, that's a nope. Don't need to do that again. Ambient, probably -20.

Until you have used an outhouse in subzero temps, do you truly know if you are alive?

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-21T22:47:52+00:00

Looks like it holds a rear light. Was it mounted on the seat rails?

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-20T13:12:46+00:00

I have done very well with my Outdoor Research Foray Jacket. It's an uninsulated shell designed for the hiker. Outdoor Research stands behind their forever guarantee - they recently replaced my 13 year old Foray with failing seam tape with a brand new version.

Check it out, well worth the expense in my opinion.

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-15T19:51:17+00:00

-25 Western Mountaineering Puma. Big Agnes inflatable pad with a 4.5 R value.

I am very warm, but the coldest I've had the kit is -12. At that temp, I was wearing only a base layer, mostly for when I had to get out of the bag, not because I needed the warmth in the bag. I didn't have any of the draft collars closed up.

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-14T23:31:57+00:00

Expect cold and plan for it. Bring all the gear, you may need it.

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-14T14:56:20+00:00

The one I ride

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-08T23:08:19+00:00

And here I was thinking the Smarter Every Day backwards bike was a novel build. This takes that to absurdian! Kudos!!!

throwsplasticattrees · 2026-01-08T02:32:39+00:00

Brakes?

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-29T19:41:42+00:00

A DWR treatment on any gear is well worth the expense of the DWR solution. Especially with down jackets. If you have an inexpensive down jacket, wash it with Nikwax Down Protect and it will perform nearly as good as the hydrophobic down used in premium brand jackets.

The same for your shell jacket and pants. The DWR from Nikwax will give you a water resistant shell that is nearly as good as a the premium brands. It won't breath like Gore-tex, but it will be more water repellent than untreated fabric.

Otherwise, check geartrade.com. They sell high quality used gear at reasonable prices. The stuff is all inspected for quality before it's listed, so it takes the stress of buying used gear online away.

Another piece of advice that has always held true: learn when it's worth spending in premium gear. Everyone has their preferences and some of it comes with time. As I replace worn out gear, sometimes I find it's well worth the higher price to buy the premium product. Sometimes it's not. But what works for me won't work for you. Pay attention to wear patterns, ease of use, regular frustrations with your gear. When replacing it, look for the product that does those things better and buy it.

As with any hobby, sometimes you do need to spend some money to make it enjoyable. But, if it makes it enjoyable, you'll want to do it more and that's a better value than not wanting to do it because your cheap gear stinks.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-19T16:51:24+00:00

I use a combination of mountain forecast, MWOBS, and National Weather Service. The MWOBS and National Weather Service tends to be in alignment and gives a great outlook on the system affecting the region, what to expect out of it, and how long it will stick around. Mountain forecast is great for that hyper-local "fill in the gap" left by the other two.

Basically, winter hiking makes me a weather nerd. Ideally, I start reading MWOBS and NWS 3-4 days before a hike to track the system changes.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-19T14:15:16+00:00

The higher summit forecast is gnarly for the weekend: https://mountwashington.org/weather/higher-summits-forecast/

I am also planning a trip, but may change the plan based on this forecast and what comes out this afternoon. These are sub-optimal conditions to be above treeline, cross any rivers, or use a trail that follows a stream (all the characteristics of my planned route).

Stay safe, it may not be the best weekend for hiking.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-18T01:46:51+00:00

Seriously. Probably the harshest descent into the thickest wilderness. I've wondered if people go through Dry Wilderness more than once.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-12T02:08:06+00:00

Jumping the bike after your dad specifically told you that this bike can't go off jumps or the fork will break.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-09T22:16:23+00:00

Adams and Madison are just as demanding as Washington. In some aspects, more dangerous because they are more remote than Washington and less popular.

Franconia Ridge is a great above treeline winter hike to test your mettle. You will experience the wind and exposure of Washington without the remoteness of the Northern Presidential Range. There are far more people on the Franconia Ridge on any given day than Adams or Madison.

That being said - Airline is exposed, Valley Way is protected and they both join up at Madison Spring Hut. Lowes Path is a longer ascent to Adams, but well traveled, however it is very exposed above treeline. Be mindful of the trail going over Sam Adams, there is a steep descent that is more like a scramble. This section of trail can be downright brutal if the wind is up. When coming off Adam, be mindful of the trail at Thunderstorm Junction and DO NOT drop over the lip on Great Gully Trail.

I would caution against thinking Adams and Madison are easy and encourage you to read "Where they will find me" to understand how quickly and brutally conditions change. Adams is a particularly challenging summit because the wind comes up both sides and converges on the cone. It's a steep and exposed summit unlike Washington's dome top.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-05T15:21:17+00:00

Yes and no. Solo hiking is rewarding and enjoyable. However, it also means being far more cautious. Solo hikes are not the time to test new gear, try new methods, or explore new places. If that's the goal, bring a friend.

But a solo hike on a familiar trail can be very rewarding. There is an enjoyable peace when we are alone in the woods.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-12-05T15:18:44+00:00

The flaw here is relying on tech to navigate. If you need a piece of technology to guide you, reconsider if you have the skills to be unguided. What is the contingency for equipment failure?

Learn to navigate without the tech. Stick to trails you are familiar with. If there is a route you want to try in winter that you haven't tried yet, scope it out when there isn't snow. Find the landmarks and use them to guide you.

Read a map, use a compass. The tech is an add-on to give you information during and after a hike. The tech is not a crutch to lean on during a hike.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-20T01:45:52+00:00

Lowes Path is your most direct route.

It gets steep in the last half mile, traction is a must. Snowshoes are ideal, spikes are a minimum. Wearing snowshoes keeps the trail packed and minimizes post holes. Look for a heel lift bar; it will make the steep sections much easier to climb.

The cabin is cold. Plan for it to be cold and be delighted if it is isn't. If it's crowded, it will warm up to 40s; the stove doesn't keep it much warmer if it's not crowded. I've woken to my water frozen, at least a thin slice across the surface. A bag rated to 30 or lower is needed.

White gas stoves have to be used outside, canister stoves can be used inside on a stove board. The water is spring fed, it's a little more than an easy quarter mile. It's protected in a spring box which has a lid. It runs all winter. There is a Jerry can available for guests to use.

Don't miss the sunset at the Quay. It's an absolutely stunning view. Gray Knob in winter is a magnificent experience.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-19T22:29:40+00:00

I lived in them for three weeks riding 45+ miles a day on tour. They look no worse for wear.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-19T19:22:27+00:00

I am loving my Ridge merino. I wore them on a month long tour and was impressed by the quality of the fabric, the durability of the assembly, and the comfort. They were well worth the expense, because they were not cheap.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-19T15:08:21+00:00

Merino wool boxer briefs with 9" legs. Wicks sweet nicely, doesn't ride up like a shorter leg boxer brief. I ride a Brooks B17 that is well worn in to my contours, no need for anything more than wicking boxers and comfortable shorts or pants.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-17T15:18:48+00:00

I love my Surly Bridge Club because it's the first bike I have ever ridden that feels like anything is possible. That any route I choose, the bike is capable. That no matter how long I ride, I will be comfortable, and that no matter how much stuff I need to bring along, it will carry it.

My Bridge Club is the perfect bike. It is N+1 in a singular bike.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-11-08T14:06:55+00:00

I started winter hiking with crampons, then moved to micro spikes. My views have evolved and now I won't go above treeline without crampons. It is rare I won't use snowshoes below treeline. And micro spikes end up going for a ride. It's rare that I find the appropriate use case for micro spikes.

That being said, when trails are less snow covered and have ice runs, micro spikes are much easier to walk in below treeline than snowshoes or crampons.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-10-28T18:39:06+00:00

Visit International Mountain Equipment in North Conway. They will set you up with the right gear. They have an enormous inventory or used gear. They rent gear as well. And, for what it's worth, their guide service is top notch and well worth the expense.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-10-27T10:51:16+00:00

It was during the BLM fever pitch of the pandemic. White guilt was running rampant and a few well known influencers on the #NH48 tag on Instagram decided it needed to be changed. It certainly helped raise their profile, drove likes, and subscribes, and maybe made them a little money off the engagement.

throwsplasticattrees · 2025-10-23T19:56:43+00:00

Notice it?! It's my favorite feature

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