No time like today to prepare for the winter

[Kevin]

In preparing for what I'm hoping will be an active mountain climbing winter season ahead, I'd like to hear some advice on what essentials should be in my 2000 cubic inch winter daypack.

The only one I know for certain is duct tape (also valuable to have in the summer).

[Neil]

Sun screen, mosquitoe repellent, sunglasses. If the warming trends continue those'll all be on my "winter" pack list.

[lumberzac]

In addition to my regular summer daypack items I add the following:
Eye protection: sun glasses, ski goggles for above treeline (sun glasses just don't work when the wind is blowing snow into your eyes), sleeping bag, emergency bivy, white gas stove and kettle for melting snow, one full set of thermal underwear, extra fleece top, extra winter hat, at least one extra pair of gloves, a pair of mittens, extra socks, and a snowshoe repair kit. I’m sure I’ve forgot something.

[Tom McG]

Winter Gear

In the winter I carry my usual year round stuff, First Aid Kit, Compass, Map, Repair sack. (more on that later), water, extra food, headlamp, TP, matches, knife, & Duct Tape.
For the winter I always carry at least 3 hats, one brimmed cap, one “watch cap”, and a Balaclava. I also bring at least 6 pairs of gloves/mittens, these include 3 pairs of light weight glove liners, 1 paid of good “ski gloves”, 1 one pair of Gore-tex over mitts, and a pair of heavy duty expedition mittens (I’ve carried these for 4-year and never had to wear them, although I have loaned them out on more then a few occasions). I carry a down jacket, Gore-tex pants, and an extra layer of 200-weight fleece. (I’ve only used the jacket on one or two occasions in the last 6-years). Other items are sunglasses and sunscreen, extra socks, and chemical hand and toe warmers,

My Repair Sack contains thing I hope I never need, but are dam glad I carry when I do need them. Example, Fire starter, extra batteries (at least 2 changes for each light), spare buckles and clips that are used on my pack, 25’ of stainless steel packing wire, extra matches, sewing needles and thread (one heavy duty upholster needle and one regular needle – already threaded with dental floss – it’s much stronger then thread) A small film canister filled with an assortment of small nuts, bolts and lock washers (I’m always surprised on how many times I’ve needed these), A leatherman’s tool, 100’ of 1/8” cord, and a small tube containing a few 8 penny nails.

I’m sure I left out a few things but Kevin’s right, now’s the time to start thinking about wither and hoping for lots and lots long lasting snow.

My number one rule for winter travel is: "If I have used all of my extra gear... then I should really, really consider being somewhere else."

Tom McG

[Neil]

These mitts are a must. I have put wet and freezing cold, numb hands at neg 20 into these under a pair of gore-tex overmitts and within minutes they were toasty.

[redhawk]

Winter Mountain Climbing? As in, pull oneslf up rock faces cobered with ice?

Let's see. What special gear comes to mind....Ahh.

How about a gore-tex body bag?

[Kevin]

Winter Mountain Climbing? As in, pull oneslf up rock faces cobered with ice?

Let's see. What special gear comes to mind....Ahh.

How about a gore-tex body bag?

Okay, thanks (to everyone but redhawk) for the responses. Several important things I'm going to consider based on your feedback - more clothes! I usually don't bring a heck of a lot in the way of extra gloves and such. It's not a bad idea considering the amount of sweating that goes on.

Redhawk, although some trails can be a little icy, I'm not talking about ice climbing.

[Neil]

I wonder if a 2000 cube pack is big enough. I think 2500 is more like it.
BTW here is THE list:
http://www.adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=3024

All you'll ever need except maybe this

[Kevin]

Neil, it's funny you would post a link to the Sawvivor. Did some trailwork Sunday and all the DEC guy had was a Sawvivor. I used it a few times and it's friggin awesome for the size and weight. I don't do much winter camping but I'm sure to buy one by next spring.

Redhawk's thread isn't definitive, and have already received some tips that aren't included in the sticky... probably need to update the sticky some, maybe make it into more of an article with some explanations for the choice in gear.

2000 may indeed be too small, but it's all I got. Won't be able to afford a new pack either. It will just force me into bringing what I really need. If the lumbar pack hiking of the last 6 months has been any indication, I usually brought too much in the past anyway. That's why I asked about everyone's essentials so I got an idea of what should be most important.

Good tip about the wool mittens. I should find a pair at a local sporting goods store for cheap at the beginning of the season...

[Neil]

I will pack that saw on every trip I do this winter. Also I will probably copycat most of Johnnycakes list. I figure that as the number of times I go winter hiking increases so does the probablility of spending an unplanned night out. A good fire requires a good saw.

[Boreal Chickadee]

I second the motion on the sawvivor. Had mine for years, and it's a charm.

[redhawk]

Neil, it's funny you would post a link to the Sawvivor. Did some trailwork Sunday and all the DEC guy had was a Sawvivor. I used it a few times and it's friggin awesome for the size and weight. I don't do much winter camping but I'm sure to buy one by next spring.

Redhawk's thread isn't definitive, and have already received some tips that aren't included in the sticky... probably need to update the sticky some, maybe make it into more of an article with some explanations for the choice in gear.

2000 may indeed be too small, but it's all I got. Won't be able to afford a new pack either. It will just force me into bringing what I really need. If the lumbar pack hiking of the last 6 months has been any indication, I usually brought too much in the past anyway. That's why I asked about everyone's essentials so I got an idea of what should be most important.

Good tip about the wool mittens. I should find a pair at a local sporting goods store for cheap at the beginning of the season...

I like the Take down Buck Saw made by the same company. Same Swedish blade, breaks down more compact and easier to handle when assembled then the Sawvivor. I'll have to weigh mine but I think it's also lighter then the sawvivor. I was going to get the sawvivor myself but chose the break down buck saw instead.

[Kevin]

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a backup pair of those mittens Neil mentioned. Already have 2 gortex shell gloves (well, one pair of gloves and one pair of mittens) which will work nicely with a good liner.

I pulled all my gear out last night and have most everything I need for a safe and comfortable winter (spent a lot of money last winter to have decent gear). I'll be working on my snowshoe repair kit some more though.

[lumberzac]

Kevin,
Last year I bought a pair of mitts similar to the ones Neil linked at my local army & navy store. After I bought them I looked at the label and found out they were made in Schenectady. It felt pretty good to buy a piece of gear where most of the profit from it went back into the local economy. I can't hike with them on as they are too warm, but the work great when I stop to rest.

[Kevin]

Kevin,
Last year I bought a similar pair of mitts similar to the ones Neil linked at my local army & navy store.

Maybe I'll stop by the one in Albany today...