Clothing for Katoomba Winter

[WaltzingMatilda]

Hi all,
For a late-June day walk in the Katoomba /Leura area on well-trodden trails, would this selection of clothes sound about right?

On Top:
Merino thermal top 200gsm,
Long-sleeve bushwalking shirt,
Fleece pullover,
Light rain coat, in backpack if needed.

On bottom:
Merino thermal leggings (haven't got these yet)
Long bushwalking pants,
Merino sox,
Hiking boots.

Plus:
Wool gloves
Beanie

Thanks, all!
Cheers,
WM.

[sandym]

It'd be way too much for me, but it's individual.

[ribuck]

Personally, I would drop the wool gloves, merino top and leggings, but would replace the light rain coat by a heavier one.

[michael_p]

Katoomba /Leura area

North or south side of the highway? Areas on the south side get less sunlight than the north side and can be very much colder. And the cold southerly winds can have a lot more bite on the south side. I've experienced some very nice weather walking on the north side in winter.

I generally take layers that I can get on and off quickly. Then again I also wear shorts all year round.

Cheers,
Michael.

[Xplora]

Have a look here: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/ ... 3039.shtml

I don't wear thermal bottoms or tops in the snow most of the time or gloves. Katoomba is mild. Take layers in case but wear less. It is not usually that cold unless you feel the cold. Depends on the day. Glad you didn't include the puffy jacket. June trend is less rain.

[Eremophila]

I’d feel the cold there. Better to have the layers and you can reduce as needed, rather than freeze all day.

[Warin]

Merino tends not the wear well, and for day walks your not going to get much odor problems.

So
thermal leggings - waffle weave polypro is very good...
Fleece gloves
Fleece Beanie - I got an Aldi one with thinsulate... but I have not seen it again otherwise I'd have a second one!

[WaltzingMatilda]

Thanks to everyone for your collective wisdom! It's much appreciated.
Not sure of the exact group plans yet, Michael, but I'm guessing south of the highway.
About the bushwalking pants that I have, the legs zip off which can be handy. Although it's a bit of a fiddle to zip them back on.
I read somewhere that wearing striped thermals under shorts is popular with some bushwalkers. The thought of that made me smile
Thanks once again and best wishes,
WM.

[north-north-west]

I read somewhere that wearing striped thermals under shorts is popular with some bushwalkers.

It was, way back when I was starting my bushwalking career, but that was around [mumble]1970[/mumble]. It's probably been in and out of fashion a couple of times since. Please don't tell me it's coming back in again.

[Moondog55]

Only if you have the correct purple taslan shorts NNW, the correct colour shorts are the hard piece to find. My memory says baby blue long-johns and black shorts tho in 1970

[tom_brennan]

Will depend mostly on the weather on the day, which side of the highway, and how much you feel the cold.

If it's still and sunny, you can often walk around in a t-shirt and shorts.

If there's a stiff southerly or sou'wester, and you're on the south side, you might need everything you've listed above (and more?).

The leggings are likely to be wasted unless you plan on walking with (striped) leggings and shorts. Which was also in fashion in 1999...

[puredingo]

Also depends on your walking style. Like Tom said above; right weather and if you are the kind that moves at a steady rate you could do it in trail runners attire. But if you meander about, take a lot of pics, enjoy long lunches and dwell on the magical views then take all your gear (bar the leggings…never got them?)

[WaltzingMatilda]

Thanks so much, everyone. No haven't bought the leggings, puredingo! If I see some in store, I might get some to try. Guessing they'd be handy for camping sleepwear in future. I think Aldi snow sale recently had a couple of different types of them, and I see 170gsm and 200gsm merino ones around and about. Lots to choose from. I'm looking at rain gear at the present moment (online window-shopping).

Cheers and thanks again,
WM.
PS: Whilst not really applicable to my day-walk activity, while researching I found this Katoomba ultra trail running event gear list which might be of interest to some folks here:
https://ultratrailaustralia.com.au/athlete-info/mandatory-gear/

[johnw]

I agree with the layering idea. The Katoomba general area in winter can be anything from blustery freezing conditions, with light snow on the odd occasion, to balmy, still, sunny days with little to no breeze.
For day walks I often start with a thermal t shirt and shorts (long pants if I expect colder conditions) as the base layer with a very light LS grid fleece, but keep in my pack a short sleeve thermal top, an ultralight down vest and an ultralight wind shirt/jacket. Also pack whatever rain gear I choose plus either a wide brimmed hat or beanie. Occasionally add light polypro gloves but rarely wear them. Just add/remove layers as needed. Most of it goes on after the walk if I'm travelling by train. Standing on those mountain stations after the sun goes is when it gets really cold (and at the lookouts facing south). That said I've sometimes ended up taking off all top layers and walking bare chested on the north side on sunny winter days, after getting very overheated/sweaty. I've found that really comfortable while moving but layers go back on when stopped/finished.

[WaltzingMatilda]

Thanks, johnw! That is very helpful!
Cheers and best wishes,
WM.