 Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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on: July 06, 2012, 01:09:02 AM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« on: July 06, 2012, 01:09:02 AM » |
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In prep of a CT tour this coming August, for those who have toured the CT or ridden the CTR or simply live and ride in the area between Denver and Durango and have slept outside..... A question on temperature: What is a realistic actual low overnight temperature that one would likely see on the CT in the middle of August? I have my clothing system dialed, sleep system in check (minus sleeping bag choice), I just need this bit of info to help me figure out how much quilt to bring. I know temps can vary in the mountains and systems can move in unexpectedly etc..I also know 'to be prepared for anything' etc. Something a little more quantifiable/less ambiguous though would be great. I've been following this to try to get an idea: http://www.coloradotrail.org/weather.htmlHow's the fire situation looking down there? Thanks in advance! Adam. |
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #1 on: July 06, 2012, 06:46:59 AM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2012, 06:46:59 AM » |
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It can get pretty cold on the Colorado Trail. In 2010, I rode the Cataract section at night in the rain and sleet. The thermometer on my bike computer read 34 degrees. It felt pretty damn cold! Dropping into Cathedral was also pretty chilly--maybe low 40s. I think that if you're prepared for low temps around freezing, you'll be fine.
Fires have been this summer. The worst conditions that I've ever seen. Lots of smoke from fires in Colorado and Wyoming. I won't be the slightest bit surprised of the Colorado Trial is closed for fires. But I'm staying positive and getting ready to race!
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #2 on: July 06, 2012, 07:30:52 AM
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Bedrock
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 94
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« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2012, 07:30:52 AM » |
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I live down in Durango. Just spent the night at 12k feet about a mile from the continental divide trail in the Highland Mary lakes area. Temps were in the 40's. It can vary quite a bit though, so I would plan on being comfortable down in to the low 30's with wet/windy conditions.
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #3 on: July 07, 2012, 11:09:49 AM
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Flounder
Posts: 206
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« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2012, 11:09:49 AM » |
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I did one late August trip from Silverton to Durango and we camped near Cascade creek and woke up at 4am to a bone chilling 30 degrees. Not a fun night.
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #4 on: July 08, 2012, 10:37:06 PM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2012, 10:37:06 PM » |
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Thanks very much guys, exactly the kinds of answers I was looking for.
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #5 on: July 09, 2012, 06:41:10 AM
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Flounder
Posts: 206
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« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2012, 06:41:10 AM » |
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Also keep in mind where you camp has a great impact on sleeping temps. Cold air sinks off of tall peaks and flows a bit like water. Sometimes camping on a ridge or meadow can be several degrees warmer than sleeping in a gully or canyon where that cold air collects.
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #6 on: July 09, 2012, 10:32:07 AM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2012, 10:32:07 AM » |
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Also keep in mind where you camp has a great impact on sleeping temps. Cold air sinks off of tall peaks and flows a bit like water. Sometimes camping on a ridge or meadow can be several degrees warmer than sleeping in a gully or canyon where that cold air collects.
This is very good advice. I generally try to sleep pretty far away from streams for this reason. It's counter-intuitive, but I'm often amazed how much warmer it can be on top of a ridge than down in the drainage. |
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #7 on: July 10, 2012, 10:05:24 AM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2012, 10:05:24 AM » |
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Great advice, thank you guys. Any info on stove/fire bans thus far? I typically use esbit, that will likely be a no no I'm assuming.
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #8 on: July 10, 2012, 10:21:00 AM
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Posts: 1434
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« Reply #8 on: July 10, 2012, 10:21:00 AM » |
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Any info on stove/fire bans thus far? I typically use esbit, that will likely be a no no I'm assuming.
The statewide fire ban has been lifted, which means that each county, forest, city, etc. will be setting their own fire restrictions. Since the weather is very fluid right now, I expect that the fire restrictions will be too. Probably best to check right before the race. |
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #9 on: July 10, 2012, 10:54:59 PM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2012, 10:54:59 PM » |
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Thanks again Toby. No race for me though, just long ride after long ride, day after day for a couple of weeks.
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #10 on: July 11, 2012, 10:09:22 AM
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Posts: 1434
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« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2012, 10:09:22 AM » |
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Thanks again Toby. No race for me though, just long ride after long ride, day after day for a couple of weeks.
There are some huge benefits to riding that way. I sometimes feel like I'm missing an awful lot of beauty by rushing along the trail too quickly. Enjoy--and stop to smell a few roses for me! |
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #11 on: July 12, 2012, 10:21:57 AM
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alpka
Posts: 20
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« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2012, 10:21:57 AM » |
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Thanks again Toby. No race for me though, just long ride after long ride, day after day for a couple of weeks.
Hey, maybe I'll see you out there. My bro and I are planning on hitting the trail Aug 4th or 5th |
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #12 on: July 13, 2012, 12:06:49 AM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« Reply #12 on: July 13, 2012, 12:06:49 AM » |
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Enjoy--and stop to smell a few roses for me!
That's the plan Toby, get out and ride in some country I've been dreaming about riding since I was a kid. And I'll be stopping to smell some roses probably while my sea level lungs get used to the elevation!! Hey, maybe I'll see you out there. My bro and I are planning on hitting the trail Aug 4th or 5th
Which way are you guys heading? I'm thinking I'll be leaving from the Denver end the following week around August 12th or so. |
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #13 on: July 13, 2012, 07:56:01 AM
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alpka
Posts: 20
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« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2012, 07:56:01 AM » |
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We are starting in Denver as well. Have a great trip!
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Topic Name: Actual Colorado Trail overnight temps
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Reply #14 on: July 24, 2012, 07:54:45 PM
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bartspedden
Location: Crested Butte, CO
Posts: 257
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« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2012, 07:54:45 PM » |
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Thanks again Toby. No race for me though, just long ride after long ride, day after day for a couple of weeks.
may the shwartz be with you! soul riding is a blast - have fun out there! |
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Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmm
~ Siddhartha
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