Winter gear

As a generaly rule, in the winter you will be carrying a lot more bulky insulation (sleeping bags, parkas, sleeping pad, etc.). So, winter packs tend to be much larger in volume than summer packs.

We tend to use more serious tents in snow country, and those fill up the pack also. Add in space for a shovel or something, and it really bloats the pack. You can hang lots of stuff off the outside of the pack, but then they tend to get lost.

All that much assumes that you are on foot. If you are cross-country skiing, then there is a slight balance problem. A skier pack needs to fit very well without swinging around, so the suspension system needs to be pretty good. Skiers need to move their arms back and forth a lot, so the pack needs to be a little bit narrow rather than wide. As a result, they tend to be a little taller than a summer pack.
–B.G.–

I'll be on foot, so balance won't be a huge issue. The trips I'm looking at doing right now are 0-2 night trips. What size pack would you recommend? I'm thinking I might be able to fit it all in the pack I have now (Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian), but maybe I need something bigger.

I think as long as it fits you well, and you can fit your gear in the pack, then it should be just fine for winter. Like Bob said, it starts to be an issue if the bulkier and heavier gear you're carrying starts to overflow or becomes too much of a load for the UL packs.

Jeffrey –

I've gotten into winter camping over the past few years and have been using a nimbus meridian pack as well. I think it works great as a winter pack for the length of trips you're describing. Plenty of options for strapping ccf sleeping pads or snowshoes etc to the outside securely. For my first trips I typically used a combo of a full length prolite 3, a short ridgerest, two 20-30 degree down sleeping bags, and a puffy parka. I also used a three-season tent (fine in sheltered areas and when lots of snow is unlikely…different story out west perhaps). Many here have given good advice: err on the side of caution on your first winter trips, and chances are you'll have a blast. Here are some photos of one of my first winter trips with the gear i described above:

On this particular night we had 10-12 inches of snow and had to dig out the sides of the tent a bit to make sure we had at least a little ventilation.

For what its worth, I'm planning to build a floorless pyrimid-type shelter prior to next winter for longer (and lighter) winter trips.

Matt

The lightest _summer_ 3-day pack that I've ever carried was about 14-15 pounds total, and that was a 1500 cubic inch pack.

The lightest _winter_ 3-day pack that I've ever carried was 27 pounds total, and that was a 3000 cubic inch pack.

So, my own rule of thumb is that I need about 1000 cubic inches of pack for every 10 pounds carried. If I make an equipment list, I should be able to figure out the total load that I expect, and that dictates the volume of pack that I need.

There are lots of variables, however. Some of us who do winter trips go to backcountry huts. That gives us a roof over our head and some firewood for the pot-bellied stove. As a result, we don't have to carry tents or huge sleeping bags. I recommend that as a good way to begin in winter travel. It gets kind of interesting at a hut when you wake up in the morning and wonder why the windows look so hazy. Then you realize that they are covered by overnight snow.
–B.G.–

Check out my Minnesota Winters thread in the Gear Lists forum. It contains two lists for MN winters that are relatively light (for the conditions). A trip report is also in there.

Matt's right about the pads underneath. You really need two CCFs or something similar to stay warm.

This is my pack for winter loads, and heavier 3-season loads. There are no corresponding attachment straps for the 2 tool loops, so you have to make your own with either velcro, or shockcord and a cord lock. My winter gear list sucks, so i ended up carrying around 38lbs for an overnighter, but the pack did it in comfort. I was able to easily strap my ice axe, crampons, snowshoes, snow shovel, and CCF mat all on the Outside of the pack, simultaneously. Surprisely, with all that junk attached, the pack was still somewhat streamlined, and the balance was good. The compression straps that run across the front of the pack, over the vertical zipper entry, are perfect for carrying the extra CCF you will have to bring for insulation. I still had a lot of room inside the pack, and could have easily brought enough food to sustain myself for 3-4 days. I shot a video of the trip (Mt. Baldy, CA) maybe i'll post it in the trip report section sometime

*oh, also, i have no experience with it personally, but from the specs and weight given, it looks like a ULA catalyst would be great for winter trips

Welcome to winter hiking Jeffrey,

I am in the same areas as you. We just climbed Mt San Gorgonio this weekend. I have taken snow trips with my Exos 58 but normally use an Aether 85. On the trip Friday I had everything but the snowshoes and ice axe inside the pack and had some room to spare. I was at 43 lb with 2 l water, 3 days food and climbing gear. Dave (who is UL to my plain ol' light weight)was using a new Talon 44 at 37 lb with everything loaded. Of course that weight fluctuates as the crampons or snowshoes go on, axe and helmet come out, etc.

I want to go to a 70 L pack for next winter as my ever lightening loads don't need all the room of the 85.

We are supposed to get up to 18" of fresh stuff in a couple days. Take the tram up to San Jacinto and day hike to see how you like it. I may head up again myself if Dave doesn't want to do a PCT chunk this weekend.