Topic

Winter Day Hiking Items: Scenario


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums General Forums Winter Hiking Winter Day Hiking Items: Scenario

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 22 posts - 26 through 47 (of 47 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1666866
    Scott Ireland
    BPL Member

    @winterwarlock

    Locale: Western NY

    Mike – looks like a pretty good list, but I'm amazed you can fit it in a Talon22. My winter pack is a Stratos 40, and I usually carry at least what Mike has, and often a bit more. I know Chouinard says if you carry it you will use it, but I don't buy that…no one wants to have to bivy, but sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. In addition, I am now winter hiking with my 12 year old son, and want to be sure he's safe as well, so I know I overpack, but I live with it.

    I'm considering throwing my older Chouinard pyramid shelter in as well for deep winter outings, but it depends on the route, as some have lean-to's along them as well.

    I'll post my list later, as I am re-packing the winter pack today for a hike on Friday.

    Scott

    #1666877
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    Scott- the Talon 22 does seem like it carries much more than it's advertised volume-cavernous for such a small pack, most of my stuff is pretty low volume though

    yeah I don't agree w/ that philosophy either, more a Boy Scout philosophy :)

    definitely post your list up when you get a chance

    Mike

    #1667050
    Scott Ireland
    BPL Member

    @winterwarlock

    Locale: Western NY

    Mike – first time I've really tried to put together a list, so here goes:

    Osprey Stratos 40 for my pack

    In it:

    Large OutdoorResearch dry bag
    Black Diamond winter bivy
    Marmot rain pants (not precips)
    Kite (it's a luxury, I know, but I have a thing about flying on summits and it's very light)
    First aid kit, w CPR mask – 13.4 oz (I know it's large, but I am the one WFA certified person in our usual group)
    Jetboil
    Summit kit – Ski goggles, face mask, balaclava
    Dry clothes – extra wool baselayer, socks, softshell gloves, hat)
    Patagonia down sweater
    Marmot Cristallo hardshell jacket (http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-cristallo-jacket-mens)
    Essentials kit – includes:
    matches
    compass
    knife
    Two headlamps with spare batteries
    Waterproof notepad/pencil

    Clipped/strapped to outside of pack –
    Microspikes
    Grivel 10 point crampons
    MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes
    Ice axe

    To wear:

    Stoic softshell pants (with these I don't use a baselayer)
    Smartwool 1/4 zip top
    Marmot DriClime jacket
    Hat/glove liners

    On feet –
    Depends on temperature –
    Early or Late winter – Columbia IceDragons
    Deep winter – Koflach Degres

    OK – have at it! I'm sure I'm way overpacked, but I still have that Eagle Scout / ex-military mentality…

    Scott

    #1667091
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    your making me look under prepared :)

    <-ex-military/boy scout too

    I just ordered some goggles (found they might come handy the other day!)

    do you carry a shovel?

    #1667097
    Scott Ireland
    BPL Member

    @winterwarlock

    Locale: Western NY

    No, no shovel, but sometimes I add one of those spoon sleds. Great for butt sliding down, and can work as a shovel if need be.
    Just learned that LL Bean has XL spoon sleds too!

    http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/66695?feat=679-CL1

    EDITED TO ADD: I suspect our snow is much different than in Montana – very few avalanches here, and more hard packed wet snow than powder.

    #1667107
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    ^ ahhh very true- lots of powder in the Winter, gets hard packed come Spring

    #1667126
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    First if you're in avalanche country (and the Rockies qualifies in spades) you need:

    1. an Avy I course
    2. avy beacon
    3. Avy shovel
    4. probe
    5. snow study kit and snow saw
    6. Avalung
    7. AVY TRAINED & equipped partners (at least 2)W/EPIRB beacon.

    Other lists here are good and some included overnight stay gear, which I feel is a must in the conditions described by Ryan.

    Extra lithium batteries and a REGULATED headlamp are a must, as is reliable fire starting equipment. Plus FOOD, FOOD, FOOD.

    Oh yeah,and you should have read "Allen &
    Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book".

    BTW, my Overnight Gear:

    Ridgerest mattress
    WM Megalite 30 F. bag
    down sweater
    down booties
    Thermolite syn. insulated pants
    fleece balaclava

    8'X10' tarp

    I'd use the avy shovel to dig a 1/2 snow trench, 1/2 length "leg tunnel". Then put skis, poles, avy probe & branches over the trench 1/2, cover it and the door with the tarp and put snow on the tarp roof W/ my pack on the lower edge of the tarp door to hold it down.

    Wear ALL of my clothes to bed (except GTX mt'n. parka) if it's cold enough. The GTX parka gets zipped up, hood cinched tight & the foot of my bag goes inside the parka.

    Done it before and it works very well.

    #1667218
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    ^ that sounds like a very effective shelter- you wouldn't have a drawing or pic of that setup- trying to accurately visualize it

    I tried ordering Mike's book and it appears to be out of print :(

    #1667221
    Scott Ireland
    BPL Member

    @winterwarlock

    Locale: Western NY

    ""I tried ordering Mike's book and it appears to be out of print :(""

    There are some used ones for sale on Amazon

    #1667222
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    nice- got one for $5 shipped :) funny when I looked on amazon before it showed this used book available from $99?????????????

    #1667229
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    found this very useful guide to building a trench

    http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/snow-trench-shelter/

    #1667305
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Mike,

    Thanks for the link. That's exactly the kind of trench I was describing. Fast to build and quite warm, especially if you have a candle lantern to hang from a stick on a side wall.

    Evergreen boughs on the floor are good insulation. Laying them "face down" will keep most branches from poking you and your mattress.

    #1667314
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    yeah that does look handy, I've practiced (including staying overnight) in debris shelters, but as the article points out- if you have sufficient snow the trench is a better option

    I do keep two beeswax candles in my pack- I've used them in debris shelters and it's amazing (pleasantly so) how much heat a little candle can generate in close quarters

    I also always have a pack liner which would make the ultimate "door" when filled w/ snow :)

    #1667317
    James holden
    BPL Member

    @bearbreeder-2

    http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/FieldManual-Chapt11SnowShelters.pdf

    honestly you can carry tons of stuff … i just toss in a blizzard, ex light, a reliable way of starting fire, and sometimes a snow shovel … and call it a day

    #1667336
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    I do think ya'll are making this too complex. I always bring redundant firestarters (2x esbit tabs, bottle of link and denatured alcohol, lighter, firesteel0, map and compass, and a good headlamp with good batteries. In winter I add an emergency bivy. That's it.

    So long as you make a fire and get out of the wind you'll be fine. More insulation, but not enough to do away with the fire, seems a bit besides the point.

    Most important is fitness, so you can keep chuggin through the storm no matter how bad the trail breaking is, and make it back to the truck at 1 am.

    As for avy stuff, the most important thing is knowledge. The second most important thing in an inclometer, closely followed by a shovel. As for the rest, if you have to use any of it, you probably screwed up.

    #1667343
    Larry Dyer
    Member

    @veriest1

    Locale: Texas

    Obviously all you'll need are skivvies and a locator beacon!

    Seriously though, I never have to deal or even think about dealing with these situations. Therefore as a Southerner it's interesting reading this discussion. Good thread.

    #1667706
    Paul Magnanti
    BPL Member

    @paulmags

    Locale: Colorado Plateau

    You're putting in about 15 miles today, half of that a lot of uphill through deep snow.

    http://www.thespiritoftherockies.net/spirit/Hikes/ThunderLake/ThunderLakeHike.html

    In the winter, it is about 15 miles R/T due to gate closure.

    Once past the Falls, we were breaking trail. The difference? I did it on skis vs snowshoes. (Because snowshoes are slow, boring and clunky. ;) )

    As David C stated ,being in shape in and having experience are the best assets. It helps that I am fairly good at backcountry Nordic and can make the miles vs. snowshoes. I like to keep it simple as well. Frankly, I think too many people take avalanche beacons who do not necessarily need them (and worse) don't know how to use them. Knowing where and when to NOT go is far more useful in winter. But that's another discussion. :D

    During the winter, I am backcountry skiing almost every weekend. When I was laid off last winter, I was on skis one stretch for 12 out of 14 days! Sometimes the trips are short…quite a few times I am covering up to 15-20 miles on skis in a day (though not always with 3000' gain!)

    FWIW, my equipment for a day ski tour:

    CLOTHING AND GEAR ON SELF:

    Wool hat
    Icebreaker Merino wool top and bottoms (med wt)
    Liner socks
    Ragg wool socks
    Surplus wool pants
    Wool sweater (switching to softshell this season, though)
    Army surplus wool liners
    OR Shell mitts
    Asolo Snowline boots
    "Old school tele skis"
    Compass
    Map
    Poles
    GoLite Jam 2

    EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING IN PACK
    Wax kit
    Climbing skins (don't always take them; depends on the trip)
    Zip ties
    Duct tape
    Lighter in zip lock
    Vitamin I
    Band Aids
    4×4 gauze pads
    Energizer 3 LED Headlamp
    Shovel
    Montbell Thermawrap
    Nylon shell (Campmor special)
    Goggles
    Facemask
    Exp wt polypro balaclava
    Boiled wool mitts
    Two breadbags for BagTex aka the poor man's VBL for my feet in an emergency…
    VERY IMPORTANT: My "two-cuppa" thermos full of a tasty hot beverage. Mmm Mmm Mmm

    If I have an "OH SH**!" moment, the shovel would be the best asset as I can dig a snowcave and be relatively safe. It would not be the best night of my life, but I would be OK.

    I generally don't ski where there is avalanche terrain. While I do have a 'real' (Scarpa T2s, short and fat skis) tele setup, my real love is backcountry Nordic.

    This kit has served me well since I really took up my winter passion: long ski tours.

    And why go through all this? I'll let the photo say why!

    #1667725
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    turns out that's what I have down in my basement- circa early 90's wax E99's (w/ matching Merrell tele boots) :)

    nice photo btw :)

    #1667798
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Paul,

    Been in Boulder, the Flatirons and many times up to Eldora and the Indian Peaks many times. My daughter lives in Lewisville.

    As for the avy equipment, being a ski patroller (& former Nordic patroller for 10 yrs.)I guess I'm more inclined to trust my equipment B/C I do have the training.

    Since you are a local you know where it's safe and where it's not. I have to rely on books of the area and locals who appear to be knowledgable.

    BTW, watch out for them thar rich "trustafarians" in Boulder. They dress real outdoorsy but usually don't make it past the Flatirons even in summer.

    #1667802
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    > since I really took up my winter passion: long ski tours.

    +2

    Cheers

    #1667951
    Paul Magnanti
    BPL Member

    @paulmags

    Locale: Colorado Plateau

    re: Avy equipment

    As mentioned, too many people buy it and don't know how to use it. As a ski patroller, you probably already know how quickly someone must be found for the equipment to be effective (Finding a live body vs finding a frozen corpse :)

    re: Trustafarians

    I am too much a dirt bagger at heart to hang with the trustafarians. :D

    Anyway, the only trust fund I have is the recipes given to me by Grandma Mags. Doesn't buy the latest gear but man, does it feed my girlfriend and I well!

    re: Lewisville

    Despite the odd pronunciation, it is spelled Louisville but pronounced like the above spelling. Since I have a hard to pronounce last name..it's all good!

    Another winter photo..just because. Mitchell Lake at sunset. A few of us made snowcaves…Notice the snowshoe; Some of my friends haven't seen the light, yet!
    (What can I say, I love winter)

    Big Boat

    #1678324
    Stephen M
    BPL Member

    @stephen-m

    Locale: Way up North

    Hi folks,

    For winter in the UK I would be carrying the below list of kit on top of what I would have in summer.

    Glacier Glasses.
    Wind proof Buff.
    Primaloft Mitts and Gauntlets.
    Goretex Over Mitts
    Crampons, axe, shovel, probe, helmat and goggles.
    Was 300g CCF Mat, now 300g of Z lite
    Blizzard Bag
    Bothy Bag
    Flask with hot water.
    Down Jacket, trousers, booties ands mitts & Blaclava with about 500g of down in total.
    Jetboil, few lighters and firesteel (no hope of a fire in the Uk mountains)
    Plenty of Food
    Half a Dozen heat pads
    Sat Phone,GPS, Mobile Phone
    130 Lumens Headtorch & backup Petzl elite and a lot of batteries.
    Couple of pair Windproof liner gloves.
    Primaloft vest.
    Silva ADC Summit (or Burton in the US)

    Sounds like a lot but its not that heavy :-)

    Cheers,

    Stephen

Viewing 22 posts - 26 through 47 (of 47 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...