We are camping at William B Umstead Park at the Youth Tent Camp and hiking on Saturday.  

We are on for our prep trip this weekend; the Park Ranger at Umstead confirmed they are open-- they just missed updating the website this morning.  Arrive at the Farm before 4p with dinner in bag/belly, we will leave promptly at 4:30p for Umstead.  Please remember temps are expected to drop to 23 tonight and only get into the mid-40s for our hike tomorrow, so please prepare for the weather conditions:

• Bring a cold weather sleeping bag (ideally with a comfort level of 20 degrees, or augment with bag liner and an additional blanket (you can leave this blanket in your tent while we hike, so don't worry about the weight/bulk)
• Sleeping pads are an essential part of your sleep system, not just for your comfort, but to insulate you from the cold ground.  Insulated pads with an R value of 2-3+ are best, but any insulation helps.  If you have a sleep matt with a silver side, that points up (to reflect your body heat back to you).
• Wear a dry insulated layer to bed, such as thermals (synthetic materials are best)
• Bring warm wool socks (2+ pair), and wear a dry pair to bed
• Pack clothing layers, wicking first layer, bulkier middle layer (such as fleece), insulated outer layer with some protection against wind/precipitation (melting snow from trees)
• Gloves, Winter Hats, Gaiters/Buffs are all necessary
• Fill the bottom of your sleeping bag with the next day's clothes, keeps you warmer at night, and you have warm clothes to change into in the morning