How cold at night?

[johnnyo979]

I am going to try to set out on a NOBO in mid march. How cold can I expect it to get at high elevations and during the night time?

[big_load]

I usually plan for lows near 20F at that time of year, at least higher up. The days can be pretty warm, especially in the sun, but a cloudy, windy day can be a bit raw.

[cavaroc]

I got through most of the sky islands last year behind being forced off (for other reasons). There were a couple of cold nights in the Huachucas in the 20s as a storm was passing through. Beyond that everything was above freezing up to the Santa Catalinas. However judging from the log book at Manning Camp at the top of Mica Mountain, it looks like I had just missed another cold night up there.

So to answer your question, it should be nice most of the time, but like big_load said, expect at least a couple of nights here and there in the 20s.

[big_load]

@cavaroc
Manning Camp gets some cold nights, and it's the spot I had in mind when pondering what the lowest would be. I had a 15F night there once in November, but it was well up into the 50s by the time I got back to Tanque Verde Peak. I agree that 30s will be more typical elsewhere.