Sept 2nd week clothes packing question

[hikerchick111]

Hello

We are doing Onion Valley - Kearsarge Pass - Mt Whitney in 2nd week of Sept .. was planning on taking

- hiking shorts
- tshirt / tank top
- warm fleece leggings or merino wool leggings for nights and Whitney summit hike
- fleece jacket
- sunshirt
- puffy jacket

Does this sound good or am I under packing wrt night time weather? Pls note I’m from Minnesota so I like upper 50s and 60s weather comfortably in shorts….

Any advice appreciated. Thanks so much in advance
Deeann

[Wandering Daisy]

Are you also bringing a rain jacket and rain pants?

You need to check weather reports just before you go. 2nd week in September can still be quite warm so no problem. Depends on how long you will be out. Weather reports are pretty good for 3-4 days but not much help for weather more than 5 days out. But if colder, I would be a bit concerned about your list. Fleece leggings are not going to do you much good at the top of Whitney if you do not have some wind protection too. If you are bringing rain pants, those would do. Given that I run colder than most, I would throw in a light wool base layer top too.

Night-time warmth also depends on your sleeping bag and pad. If you are counting on daytime clothing to be worn at night inside the sleeping bag, then the clothing must remain dry during the day too. What is the temperature rating of your sleeping bag?

[dave54]

September can be Jekyll/Hyde.
Most years is is still warm, even hot. However, it could have an early storm and be cold and wet.
Keep options open and an eye on the weather forecast.

[Trailtrash]

I would skip the fleece and rely on the puffy jacket, rain protection as said and for me I would not bring or wear shorts but wear lightweight hiking pants and a wool base layer if colder and to sleep in. If the weather is predicted colder I bring wool mid layers primarily to sleep in.
2 pair of smart wool sox, one to start trip and one backup pair. I did onion valley just up to Matlock lake oct 5-6 last year(3 weeks later than your timeframe) and it was low 20's at night.

[Gogd]

Mid September, and on, you'll get Indian Summer days (sunny, warm in shade, hot in direct sun with a pack), but also may get storms capable of dropping temps to the teens up high, and bring snow. Any snow will quickly sublimate if a typical, mid/late Sept storm, .

My comfort zone is similar to yours, so I also go with shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for day time activity. As Wandering Daisy advises, bring a hard shell (rain and wind protection, top and bottom). Also I prefer fleece or wool over other mid layer insulation for this time of year, as it still functions if wet, while puffies and other mid layers using down and synthetic fills will lose effectiveness.

Weather conditions can change quickly; take your warm gear and hard shell on any day hikes venturing an hour or more from camp.

Also bring something warm for your head!

Ed