Winter Backpacking on Packed-Snow Trails (Gear List)

Introduction

There is a big difference between winter backpacking on highly-trafficked, packed snow trail corridors and winter backpacking in deep powder snow. This article offers some insight into how to pack for trips where you’re hiking predominantly on packed snow trails.

Hiking on packed snow trails is less intimidating than hiking in deep snow on snowshoes or skis, and if you’re into high-mileage trips, hiking packed snow trails allows you to cover a lot of distance. Areas where frequent human overland traffic (i.e., hiking, ski, snowshoe, fatbike, or snowmobile) keep trail corridors packed down provide opportunities that are more accessible to beginning and intermediate backpackers. US ranges that come to mind include the Whites and Adirondacks of the NE, the Rockies of SW Montana, NW and SE Wyoming, and N Colorado, and the coastal ranges of the California E Sierra, E Oregon, and N Cascades of Washington. Backpacking in deep snow, in remote wilderness far from trailheads and population centers – that’s a subject for another day.

I first published a winter backpacking gear list here in 2004, which was subsequently updated in 2014. That gear list was tailored for camping in snow shelters, and included various luxuries such as a saw, for cutting firewood and limbs to help add snow shelter structure.

person wearing down parka inside a snow cave — Ca. 2014 inside a makeshift winter snow cave built adjacent to a forest of shallow snow (snowpack is only about 5 ft / 1.5 m deep). Mill Creek Valley, Montana. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

In contrast, this article will focus less on camping and in-camp comfort and more on what I’m currently using when I’m trying to cover more miles. Consequently, this kit is tuned (for me) for efficiency (spending less time doing things involving gear) rather than minimizing every last ounce.

Some examples reflecting these choices include:

Shelter – Choosing a lightweight tarp and bivy sack instead of a winter tent, but enjoying the comfort and warmth of a two-pad bed and mummy sleeping bag.
Cooking – Choosing a stove that can melt snow as fast as possible, even in stormy conditions, rather than an ultralight stove that might require more care and fiddling to get the most out of it in winter conditions.

Summary of Context

Locale – SE Wyoming / N Colorado (I currently live in Laramie, WY and my “home” hiking ranges include the Snowy and Sherman Ranges in WY and RMNP and surrounding areas in CO)
Elevation – 8,000 to 12,000 ft (2440 to 3660 m)
Terrain – mostly highly-trafficked trails, packed snow and ice, some deep snow / off-trail
High temperatures – 10 to 32 F (-12 to 0 C)
Low temperatures – 0 to 20 F (-18 to -7 C)
Winds – moderate (up to 20 mph / 32 kph) in the forest; high (up to 50 mph / 80 kph or more) above the treeline

Download: our printable winter backpacking gear list (PDF)

Note: all weights reported in this article are the directly measured weights of my gear, not the manufacturer-reported weights.

Footwear & Traction System

For high-mileage winter treks, I’ll hike highly-trafficked, snow-packed (and sometimes icy) trail corridors most of the time. That’s my rationale for building a lightweight, comfortable footwear system with a spike-based traction device instead of snowshoes or skis.

man hiking on bridge next to sign that reads "wild basin" — This article features a gear list that is tuned to dry, cold, snowy, forested environments where trails receive enough traffic to stay (for the most part) packed enough to use traction spikes instead of skis or snowshoes, like this one in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo credit: Stephanie Jordan

However, I’ll camp a few hundred yards away from those corridors, which may require me to walk through deeper snow to find campsites. I don’t really want to haul the weight of snowshoes just for this, so will rely on waterproof shoes and high gaiters to keep my feet as dry as possible while post-holing through deep snow.

layout of trekking poles, waterproof socks, wool socks, gaiters, shoes, and traction spikes — Footwear and traction system. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Footwear & Traction Gear Notes:

TRAIL RUNNING SHOES / Hoka Speedgoat Mid GTX 2 (Size 9.5) / 26.0 oz (737 g) / high stack height provides good insulation from cold snow and ice, sized up one half to full size to accommodate thicker socks and sometimes, a waterproof sock
TRACTION SPIKES / Black Diamond Distance Traction Spikes (Size L) / 8.2 oz (232 g) / soft-shell toe cover prevents snow and ice buildup on laces, and shorter spikes allow for less tripping while moving fast on icy trails
CALF-HEIGHT GAITERS / Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiters (Size M) / 6.5 oz (184 g) / not as light as so-called ultralight gaiters, but packcloth ankle area is more durable for forest bushwhacking and errant spike-pokes from the other foot; I prefer the OR Helium Gaiter when I know I won’t be bushwhacking much
WARM SOCKS / Darn Tough Full Cushion Boot Socks / 3.3 oz (94 g) / provides good insulation in cold temps
WATERPROOF SOCKS / Rocky Gore-Tex Socks / 2.9 oz (82 g) / for hiking in extreme cold, and for added comfort when in camp; size up two (or more) full sizes to make them easier to take on and off, and to layer over thick insulating hiking socks
ULTRALIGHT TREKKING POLES / Black Diamond Distance Carbon Running Poles / 6.4 oz (181 g) / adjustability isn’t needed for pitching the tarp in a storm pitch, snow baskets not needed for hiking on packed trails

lower legs of a hiker wearing boots and gaiters, with traction spikes affixed to the boots; and trekking poles — A winter backpacking footwear and traction system includes five components: socks, shoes, gaiters, a traction device (e.g., spikes), and trekking poles. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

man hiking through deep snow en route to a campsite — When hiking off-trail the snow surface often transitions from packed to powder. You’ll need some type of gaiter to prevent snow ingress into the tops of your shoes. Gaiters help keep your feet dry while winter backpacking. Here, we leave the packed trail and trudge through untracked snow to a campsite. Photo credit: Stephanie Jordan

person standing on an icy trail wearing traction spikes — Taking advantage of traction spikes on a water-iced trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. During winter, ice dams can divert streamflow into trail corridors, creating a slick mess of ice that persists until the spring thaw. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Clothing System

I like to think of my clothing in four layers:

base – my next-to-skin layers
hike – the clothing I wear for most conditions on the trail during the daytime
storm – the clothing I add when temperature drops, precipitation gets heavy, or the wind increases
camp – the insulation I use in camp while inactive, or in the sleeping bag on the coldest nights

a 4-panel image showing base layer clothing, hiking clothing, storm clothing, and camp clothing — My four layering systems, L to R: base, hike, storm, camp. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Based on the conditions I’m expecting, I’d rather adjust the insulating capacity or storm-resistance of the pieces in any of these layers than adding more layers, which adds complexity to the system.

That said, I may not have the flexibility to pick and choose from various pieces of gear, so adding a layer becomes both practical and economical. For example, I own one active insulating jacket right now, and I’d be more apt to add my synthetic insulated vest to boost my hiking clothing warmth rather than add a new, more insulated active layer to my already-cluttered gear closet.

Hiking Clothing

The wind blows almost continuously in the winter season where I normally hike (SE Wyoming and N Colorado), so my standard hiking clothing is tuned to that normality. On a typical winter day, the temperature is 10 to 25 deg F (-12 to -4 deg C), with winds blowing in the range of 10 to 20 mph (16 to 32 kph). And so I dress for the wind chill temperature, not the ambient temperature. For example, on a day where the ambient temperature is 15 deg F (-5 deg C) and the wind is blowing 15 mph (24 kph), the wind chill temperature will be around 6 deg F (-14 deg C) (online wind chill calculator).

If I’m expecting cooler temperatures, I’ll increase my base layer weight, the weight of my active insulation layer, or just add an additional long or short sleeve crew base layer under the merino hoody. In addition, if I’m expecting colder temperatures and wind, and plan to wear the vapor barrier mitts most of the time while hiking, I’ll replace the heavier fleece gloves with a thinner fleece liner for a two-layer mitten system that allows me to take the mitten off for a few minutes without suffering cold hands in very windy conditions.

a 4-panel image showing base layer clothing, hiking clothing, storm clothing, and camp clothing, with base layer clothing highlighted — BASE – base layer top (a merino hoody) and bottom (lightweight long underwear over merino boxer-briefs). Worn by themselves in the sleeping bag or the hoody by itself in exceptionally warm and sunny conditions. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

a 4-panel image showing base layer clothing, hiking clothing, storm clothing, and camp clothing, with hiking clothing highlighted — HIKE – hiking clothes, which are worn most of the time on the trail, are worn over the base layers and include an active insulation jacket, softshell pant, and fleece gloves. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Hiking Clothing Notes:

UNDERWEAR / Smartwool Merino 150 Boxer Brief / 3.1 oz (88 g) / lacks durability for long-distance days in the summer, but cozy and warm for winter hiking
BASE LAYER BOTTOMS / Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Long Underwear Bottoms / 3.5 oz (99 g) / combine with soft-shell pants for a breathable pant system for winter cold and wind
SOFTSHELL PANTS / Arc’teryx Sigma FL Pant / 12.6 oz (357 g) / blocks moderate wind while remaining breathable; sheds snow well; stretchy comfort for mobility
BASE LAYER TOP / Smartwool PhD Light Hoody / 9.2 oz (261 g) / a cozy hood makes this a comfy layer
ACTIVE LAYER SHELL / Arc’teryx Proton FL Hoody / 11.1 oz (315 g) / highly-breathable, lightly-insulated wind shirt
BEANIE HAT / ZPacks Fleece Beanie / 0.9 oz (26 g) / light beanie combines with base layer and wind shirt hoods for adjustment to changes in cold and wind – I generally prefer a full-loft double-layer fleece beanie like this in the winter because of its balance of breathability vs. wind resistance
FLEECE GLOVES / Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor / 2.5 oz (71 g) / for temperatures not requiring insulated mitts / high loft, good moisture and wind resistance, outstanding dexterity, and terrific fingertip sensor, especially with a smartphone GPS app
SUNGLASSES / Smith Photochromic & Polarized / 1.4 oz (40 g) / sophisticated tech lens provides visual acuity in rapidly changing light during unstable winter weather, weight incudes a Pilotfish retainer strap

man backpacking on a winter trail — When the weather is fair but temperatures are cold, I like to wear a softshell jacket and pants over a baselayer hoody and long johns, with a thin hat and liner gloves. Photo credit: Stephanie Jordan

Storm Clothing

Additional storm clothing is predicated on the idea that I need to preserve body heat leaks and blowing spindrift ingress into my clothing system. If the weather forecast is calling for colder temperatures or higher winds, I’ll add a high-loft pile balaclava.

Storm Clothing Notes:

STORM SHELL / Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket (Size L for layering) / 7.6 oz (215 g) / waterproof-breathable hardshell not usually needed in sub-freezing conditions when snowfall is light but essential when wind chills approach 0 F or colder or during heavy snowfall
WATER-RESISTANT INSULATED MITTENS / RBH Designs Ultralight Vapor Mitts / 6.6 oz (187 g) / critical insurance in cold temperatures when the wind is blowing
NECK GAITER / Merino Buff / 1.7 oz (48 g) / helps seal head and neck area in very cold temps
SNOW GOGGLES / Smith Chromapop Snow Goggles / 4.9 oz (139 g) / for blizzards, light-responsive in sunny vs. overcast conditions, weight includes microfiber sleeve

man hiking in a winter storm — Donned with storm gear near the treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park – vapor barrier mittens, hardshell jacket, merino wool neck gaiter, and snow goggles. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

In-Camp Clothing

My in-camp clothing meets one spec: maximum warmth-to-weight ratio. I would adjust the jacket, pants, and booties for more extreme (colder) conditions.

a 4-panel image showing base layer clothing, hiking clothing, storm clothing, and camp clothing, with camp clothing highlighted — CAMP – clothing for maximum insulation, layered over hiking and/or storm clothing in the evenings and early mornings, and layered inside the sleeping bag on the coldest nights. Camp clothes include an insulated hoody, the merino neck gaiter, insulated pants, and insulated booties. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

In-Camp Clothing Notes

INSULATED PANTS / Western Mountaineering Flash Down Pants / 6.6 oz (187 g) / pull-on style difficult to use with shoes and spikes but lighter than side zip styles; would upgrade to a more insulated, side-zip pant in sub-zero F temperatures
INSULATED JACKET / PhD Yukon K Hoody / 12.4 oz (352 g) / pullover-style, very warm hood; would upgrade to a heavier jacket in sub-zero F temperatures
EXTRA SOCKS / Darn Tough Full Cushion Boot Socks / 3.3 oz (94 g) / dry socks for night
INSULATED BOOTIES / Goosefeet Down Socks / 2.1 oz (60 g) / warmth while in sleeping bag and during late-night calls of nature

man eating soup wearing a down parka at a bivy camp in the snow — Insulated clothing with as high of a warmth-to-weight ratio as possible is some of the most important gear you can carry in the winter. I’ve regretted purchasing a bunch of other gear, but I’ve never regretted the money I’ve spent on ultralight, high-fill down winter gear – my parka, down pants, sleeping bag, and booties. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Sleeping & Shelter

On most nights, I would find a sheltered camp deep in the forest. The mountains of SE Wyoming and N Colorado enjoy a high density of Sherman granite rock outcroppings, and it’s not often difficult to find sheltered places to sleep within their nooks and crannies. So the tarp usually stays in my pack, and the bivy is my main shelter. I’ll pitch the tarp at forested campsites during heavy snow events for some entry/exit protection for the bivy sack, or for a sheltered cooking site.

There’s a compelling argument to use a small pyramid instead of a tarp. Pyramids are easier to pitch and offer full-perimeter protection. I waffle back and forth between the two during the winter, as I really enjoy the creativity and art that comes with pitching a tarp in various configurations.

For subzero F (< -18 C) low temperatures, I add a synthetic overquilt to my mummy bag, and a thicker closed-cell foam pad.

tarp, bivy sack, nail stakes, extra guylines, and a stake hammer — Shelter gear for winter below the treeline – tarp, bivy sack, nail stakes, and extra guylines for tying the tarp to trees or rigging deadmen anchors from sticks. On rare occasions, I would bring a very light ice climbing or geologist’s hammer for pounding stakes into frozen ground. That’s not necessary in most forested locations, but I’ve found a hammer to be increasingly useful since moving to SE Wyoming several years ago. Here, low snowpack at moderate elevations (8,000 to 10,000 ft /2,400 to 3,000 m) and frigid winters make it nearly impossible to push stakes into the ground – and most of the rocks are frozen into the ground as well and very difficult to remove. A stake hammer can save enormous time and energy in some cases. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

layout of a winter backpacking bed - bivy sack, sleeping bag, inflatable pad, closed cell foam pad, and pillow. — For me, the bed is my line of defense against the worst storms. It’s cozy, warm, and comfortable. The key components are the bivy sack (orange), the sleeping bag, the insulated inflatable pad (yellow), the closed-cell foam pad (gray), and the pillow (black). Add earplugs and hunker down for a night of winter bliss! Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Sleeping and Shelter Notes

SNOW SHOVEL / Snowclaw Guide Shovel / 6.4 oz (181 g) / for sculpting campsite and bed
SHELTER / Hyperlite Mountain Gear 8’6″ x 8’6″ Flat Tarp / 13.6 oz (346 g) / rarely pitched, except for cooking and shelter in heavy snow or high wind (included in weight – stuff sack and guylines on all attachment points)
BIVY SACK / MSR Pro Bivy / 8.6 oz (244 g) / fast and simple shelter without having to deal with stakes and guylines in winter
STAKES / Vargo Titanium Nail Stakes / 0.5 oz (14 g) ea / used with the shelter for frozen ground; don’t opt for so-called ultralight versions of nail pegs (e.g., from Toaks or Vargo) – they aren’t strong enough for frozen ground
EXTRA GUYLINE CORD / 32 ft x MSR Ultralight Utility Cord / 1.2 oz (34 g) / extra guyline lengths for pitching the shelter in deep snow, using sticks as deadman anchors, or rigging to trees
SLEEPING BAG / Feathered Friends Lark UL 10 / 31.2 oz (885 g) / cozy and warm winter bag with water-resistant shell helps manage condensation in bivy; would upgrade to a warmer bag in sub-zero F temperatures, but when combined with in-camp insulating clothing, this is comfortable down to about -5 F (-21 C) for me while sleeping in a bivy sack on a windy night
INFLATABLE SLEEPING PAD / Nemo Tensor Insulated (Regular/Wide) / 21.4 oz (607 g) / wide pad for comfort during long winter nights (included in the weight: pad inflation bag, 2.1 oz / 59 g)
FOAM SLEEPING PAD / Gossamer Gear Thinlight Pad / 2.5 oz (71 g) / weight noted for the 1/8 in thick model; adds warmth for sleeping direct on snow; would upgrade to 1/4 in thick model for sub-zero F temps
PILLOW / Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow (Size L) / 4.0 oz (113 g) / I use open-cell foam (included in weight) and extra clothing to adjust height as needed to keep my spine aligned

man operating a backpacking stove near his bivy sack in a snowy winter camp — A winter bivy camp, tucked up against the lee side of a 10 x 30 ft (3 x 9 m) granite boulder during a winter storm that brought sub-zero F temperatures and a severe wind chill warning. When using a bivy sack, do everything you can to stay out of the wind. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

man camping under a backpacking tarp, making coffee on a camp stove — A flat tarp that is large enough to pitch in “storm mode” (i.e., with three edges staked to the ground) is a suitable winter shelter below the treeline, especially when combined with a bivy sack. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Cooking & Food

My decision to bring an MSR Reactor instead of a lighter stove like my Caffin V4 is based on my desire to make water from snow as fast and as simple as possible, especially when wearing mittens when the temperature is very cold.

Food is packaged for efficiency. No multi-course meals, nothing requiring extended cooking times. I make my own freeze-dried food in a Harvest Right Home Freeze Dryer.

layout of cooking gear, including a zippered stow bag, fuel canister on a plywood base, radiant burner stove, heat exchanger cook pot, folding spoon, fire starter, titanium mug, cheesecloth for filtering melted snow into a water bottle, and homemade reflective bubble wrap food cozy — My cooking gear for winter backpacking, with a focus on rapid snow melting. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Cooking Notes:

STOVE / MSR Reactor Stove / 6.2 oz (176 g) / rapid and reliable snow melting and water boiling
FUEL / MSR IsoPro (3.9 oz / 110 g net weight of fuel, 7.4 oz / 210 g gross weight of full canister) / / this size provides enough fuel to melt snow for water and cooking for trips up to 2 nights; will use the 220 g net size for longer trips
STOVE BASE / MYOG wood / 1.5 oz (43 g) / 3mm hobby plywood base with shock cord attachments to secure fuel canister, used to stabilize canister on snow
LIGHTER / Light My Fire Firesteel / 0.9 oz (26 g) / easy to use with mittens to light the stove
POT / 1.0 L MSR Reactor Pot / 8.3 oz (235 g) / fast stove and small water volumes afford me the ability to use the small pot, but it’s still large enough for a solo snow-melting pot
MUG / Snowpeak H200 Double-Wall Titanium / 2.1 oz (60 g) / double-wall titanium for coffee, tea, soup
UTENSIL / MSR Folding Spoon / 0.4 oz (11 g) / I prefer plastic vs. metal for winter, this one is light and durable, doesn’t get brittle in the cold
FOOD COZY / MYOG Reflectix & packing tape / 1.6 oz (45 g) / sized to fit my home-packaged freeze-dried meals in 10 x 10 in (25 x 25 cm) mylar bags
DEBRIS FILTER / MYOG cheesecloth w/shockcord / 0.2 oz (6 g) / secure over water bottle mouth, pour melted snow from stove pot into bottle through filter

Food Notes:

BREAKFASTS / 5 oz (142 g) per day / hot cereal with dried fruit, nuts, butter, coffee
DAYTIME SNACKS / 16 oz (454 g) per day / salty nuts, potato chips, butter balls, chocolate, candy, soup, coffee
DINNERS / 7 oz (198 g) per day / soup, MYOG freeze-dried meals (various recipes containing pasta, grain, or rice with sauce, legumes, veggies, and spices), tea
FLAVOR ENHANCER / 1 oz (28 g) per day / flavored hydration tablets / because the flavor of melted snow is gross

man sitting on ground and melting snow in a camp stove — My affinity for the MSR Reactor is based on its unique feature: it’s an extraordinary machine for melting snow fast, even in high winds and cold temperatures. Photo credit: Stephanie Jordan

a stuff sack full of snow (to be used for melting to create water while cooking), a fuel canister, a canister stove, a titanium mug, a folding spoon, and a fire starting device — I usually store my stove kit in some type of stow bag, like the zippered one shown here. It’s also used to gather clean snow for melting when I’m cooking, so it’s readily available when I sit down to use the stove. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Hydration & Water Treatment

Most of my drinkable water will come from melting snow. I usually won’t boil it (to save time and fuel), so will use the Aquamira as purification insurance from pathogenic bacteria and algae that can grow in old snow.

layout of hydration gear - a water bottle in a homemade reflective bubble wrap cozy, another water bottle, and a small aqua mira kit. — Minimalist hydration gear for winter backpacking. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Hydration and Water Treatment Notes:

BOTTLES / 2x Hydrapak Flux Bottle (1L) / 2x 3.1 oz (88 g) / form factor conveniently stows in my pack’s side pockets and bottle is easy to use while wearing mittens
BOTTLE COZIES / 1x MYOG Reflectix and packing tape / 1.4 oz (40 g) / to keep water from freezing while hiking; I only take one cozy, and keep the 2nd bottle stuffed in my pack to prevent freezing
WATER TREATMENT / Aquamira (mini kit) / 1.1 oz (31 g) / used to purify unboiled but melted snow for drinking water, weight includes 0.3 oz each of Part A and B, mixing camp, and DCF stow bag

person pouring water from a cooking pot through cheesecloth into a water bottle — Snow melted by the stove is poured through cheesecloth secured to the bottle opening with a shock cord ring. This removes most of the debris (dirt, pine needles, etc.) that can be found in old snow. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Packing

I usually select my pack last. I choose the smallest and lightest model I own to fit the gear I need, and that can comfortably carry the weight of that gear. In the winter, I prefer a pack that is a bit oversized for my kit. It’s easier to pack while wearing mittens.

layout showing a pack with its contents — Packing the kit – sleeping, food, shelter, water bottle #2, cooking, and other gear, along with the parka, go into the main compartment. Storm gear in the top pocket. One side pocket for the insulated water bottle in the cozy, the other side pocket for the foam pad, trekking poles if I’m stowing them, and stake hammer if I take that. Hip belt pockets get nav gear (left) or Aquamira, sunscreen, and snacks (right). TP Kit, extra food, and storage for stashing layers quickly go into the rear pocket. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Packing Notes:

BACKPACK / McHale Windsauk / 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) / DCF internal frame pack rigged with rear accessory pocket, top lid, roll-top closure, top strap, water bottle pockets, and hip belt pocket
INSULATION STORAGE / Sea to Summit Ultrasil Compression Sack (size M) / 2.9 oz (82 g) / for stowing sleeping bag, extra socks, booties, and down pants
SHELTER & SLEEP STORAGE / Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF Pod (Size 4400-L) / 1.4 oz (40 g) / for sleeping pad and inflation bag, tarp, stakes, extra guylines, and bivy sack
FOOD STORAGE / Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF Pod (Size 4400-L) / 1.4 oz (40 g) / keeps food conveniently organized and fits perfectly in pack body
OTHER STOW BAGS / Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF (assorted pods or stuff sacks) / 2.5 oz (71 g) / one for “other” gear (see below), and one for cooking gear (stove, fuel, mug, firestarter, spoon, and my hot lunch for that day)

man standing, wearing a backpack on a snowy hill in the forest during the winter — I add several accessory pockets to my modular pack to create what I call its “winter configuration” – top lid pocket (storm clothing), rear pocket (toilet kit, insulating jacket), side pockets (foam pad on one side, water bottle on the other), and hip belt pockets (food, headlamp, and navigation tools). My smartphone and camera batteries stay close to my body to keep the batteries warm – usually in my jacket pockets. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Navigation & Electronics

I generally find electronics, and especially phones, difficult to use in cold winter conditions (especially while wearing mittens), and try to minimize my dependence on them. That said, navigating with a smartphone phone GPS app can save a lot of time, especially in a winter blizzard.

layout of navigation and electronics gear for winter backpacking - a heart rate monitor and fitness watch, satellite communicator, headlamp, compass, smartphone, and power bank — Navigation and electronics gear. The training tools (watch and HRM) are obviously not essential for winter backpacking. The headlamp, satellite communicator, map (not shown) and compass, phone, and some type of power bank to recharge the phone, headlamp, and communicator on long trips are. Photo credit: Ryan Jordan

Navigation and Electronics Notes:

SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR / Garmin inReach Mini / 3.5 oz (99 g) / used for messaging and tracking for my people back home
WATCH / Garmin Fenix / 3.4 oz (96 g) / used for training
HRM / Garmin Run HRM / 1.8 oz (51 g) / used for training
SMARTPHONE / iPhone / 8.0 oz (227 g) / for GPS navigation and communications with the satellite communicator, weight includes protective case
GPS APP / Gaia GPS / 0.0 oz (0 g) / GPS app for smartphone
PAPER MAP / MYOG / usually about 1.5 oz (43 g) / used with compass for blizzard nav or extreme cold, printed with a color laser printer using Rite in the Rain Duracopy Paper, which can be written on, folded, and printed on both sides
COMPASS / Suunto A-10 / 1.0 oz (28 g) / used with paper map for blizzard nav or extreme cold, weight includes lanyard
HEADLAMP / Petzl Actik Core 450 / 3.6 oz (102 g) / I bring a real headlamp in the winter, for navigating into the evening on short winter days, weight includes an extra battery
POWER BANK / various models / 3-16 oz / 5,000-20,000 mAh depending on duration of trip – used to charge phone, watch, satellite communicator, and/or headlamp batteries

man using a map and compass while backpacking in snowy conditions — I keep a paper map and compass handy for big-picture navigating, and for real-time route-finding in cold temperatures when wearing gloves or mittens interferes with smartphone use. Photo credit: Stephanie Jordan

Other Gear

FIRST AID KIT / 4 oz (113 g) / minor wound and blister care, meds
REPAIR KIT / 2 oz (57 g) / tape, glue, sewing, fabric patches, pad repair
FIRESTARTING KIT / 1.5 oz (43 g) / cotton tabs and solid fuel cubes in waterproof zip bag
PERSONALS KIT / 6 oz (170 g) / toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, contact lens case and solution, anti-fog cloth, sunscreen, lip balm, bidet kit (hand sanitizer, dry cloth – use snow and evergreens for TP, mylar bag for packing out TP)

Caveats, Limitations, and Disclaimers

The clothing, sleep, and shelter systems are tuned for dry (low humidity and dry snow) climates, like the North-Central US Rockies where I hike and camp the most. If you backpack in wetter (more rain) and or high-humidity environments during the winter, your list may look different – especially when it comes to your insulation (down vs. synthetic).
I’ve selected hiking clothing, storm clothing, and shelter systems for below-the-treeline use where somewhat sheltered campsites can be found. Above the treeline in this region, winds can be fierce, and more clothing and more robust shelter will be needed.
The footwear system is designed for trafficked trail corridors where the tread underfoot is predominantly packed snow. Less-trafficked or off-trail hiking in deep snow will require snowshoes or skis.
In milder temperatures and/or less wind, less hiking clothing and thinner handwear may be needed than what is on my list here.
Likewise, in sub-zero F temperatures, more insulation may be required in your base layers, active insulation layer, mittens, footwear, headwear, sleeping pads, and sleeping bag.

Winter Backpacking on Packed-Snow Trails (Gear List)

By Ryan Jordan