Psyched for winter peak-bagging.

[Neil]

I don't know how mant peaks we'll manage to hike up this winter but it'll sure be a fun challenge won't it? I'm interested in reading about what other forum members have to say about winter peak bagging.

I've only got 2 winter peaks in my 46er account but hope to make a few deposits this season. As a shakedown trip we're heading to the Sewards for a 2 nighter at the end of the month and I'm psyched already. The logistics of winter peak bagging are new to me and are a little daunting for the bank account. As a bare minimum we need better snowshoes (going for MSR Denali Ascents), crampons (Grivel 10 pointers) and a new down parka. My son has a bag that 's good to -12 deg C. and we'll try using a tiny down bag rated to +5 deg C as a liner for him and pick up a bivy bag as an outer.

Aside from the gear the very idea of spending a couple of nights out with no heat source is quite alien to the Canadian shield winter camper in me. I know you can have fires in the Sewards but who has time to find, saw and carry wood when the peaks need climbing and the days are so short? I'm bringing a small bucksaw just in case. I'm hoping to get water from a creek because melting snow to make many quarts of water with the stove is a royal pain in the butt.
Any of you got any camping or winter hiking tricks you want to share?

[Kevin]

End of November won't count as winter peaks (even if it's in winter conditions).

There's ALWAYS time for fire, especially in the winter when it's most welcome! Otherwise, you end up curling into your bag early and spending 12 hours in the woods... with a sleeping bag pulled over your head waiting for morning. Fire keeps you warm via busy-work (to keep it going) and radiated heat.

The brook next to the blueberry pond lean-to should still be running this early in the season.

Enjoy! I'm also looking forward to a few winter climbs.

[Neil]

Yeah, I know about the Dec 21 to Mar 21 rule. We need the Sewards anyway and it'll get our brains into winter mode. Maybe we'll make the effort and hunt for and cut a supply of combustable (good way to keep busy and warm). And what a difference between having a fire and not having one. OK, you've convinced me!

[Martin]

I'm looking forward to climbing my first winter ADK peaks. Since I only one buddy taht would do this with me(but he is busy on weekend) and don't want to do the overnight winter thing alone, I'd like to hook up on a trip some time.

[Neil]

I thought you had some badminton that needed playing. Badminton, sheesh!

November 26 Seward Range. Not quite winter but pretty darn close. Dominic and I plan on heading in to a LT from the winter trail head at around 4 pm. on fri. Doug (Hillman1) will likely start in at 7 or so. We hope to do SD&E on sat. then do Seymour on sun. Let me know if this works for you.

[hillman1]

Last time I was in there, there was wood at the fire pits. Not stacked firewood, but wood that is ready to burn. The fire pits are big, and I bet they have seen some BIG fires in winter. I'm skiing in, as long as the snow keeps coming. I'm working on a new winter sleeping system. I hope I stay warm.

[Kevin]

Are the gates closed? They were open into December last year... you may be able to drive to the usual trailhead. I think it's rare they lock anyone in, especially when it's still consider pre-winter.

[Neil]

As a minimum I thought I'd drive in, dump packs, drive out and then at least benefit from that portion of the route pack free.

[mike1889]

The thought of camping out in the winter was and is so unappealing to me that I vowed to climb them all as day hikes, which I did. I had some very long days of course and took a long time to finish, but I was happy to start and end in the dark rather than deal with setting up a tent or trying to stay warm in a lean-to and cook meals. I was also able to carry just the day hike stuff rather than the heavy backpack while snowshoeing. Breaking trail through 2+ feet of snow with just a day pack is exhausting enough!

On most hikes I left the crampons at home, or at least in the car, to save some weight. I use Sherpa snowshoes with the large crampon-bindings and they were adequate on almost all peaks with deep snow. I only carried the 10 points when climbing exposed peaks such as Marcy, Algonquin, Haystack, etc. and only absolutely needed them twice. Once was going up and down the "cable route" on Gothics, and it was quite scary and would have been nearly impossible without crampons.

[Neil]

Mike, Everything in your post I have thought about and agree with 100%. Nevertheless, I will do the overnight thing for various reasons (think teenage son needs extreme outdoor experiences in order to become a nice normal person).

[redhawk]

Two investments well worth making are a telescoping shovel (I like the Voile's) and an Ice Axe. As well as a climbing aid, the Axe is also good for breaking a hole in the ice to get water and for digging your tent stakes out of the snow. Also a couple of extra widemouth quart nalgenes. Fill with hot water at bedtime, put your morning socks over them, put them in your boots and then the boots in the bottom of your sleeping bag.

For more fine winter tips purchase "Redhawks Guide to Winter Camping, survival and all the comforts of home" Available from "cult" bookstores for $99.95

[Martin]

November 26 Seward Range. Not quite winter but pretty darn close. Dominic and I plan on heading in to a LT from the winter trail head at around 4 pm. on fri. Doug (Hillman1) will likely start in at 7 or so. We hope to do SD&E on sat. then do Seymour on sun. Let me know if this works for you.

I wasn't talking about that particular weekend. More like some time in general in the winter time. But thanks for the invite. I can't do Friday's for now anyway.

[Martin]

Also a couple of extra widemouth quart nalgenes. Fill with hot water at bedtime, put your morning socks over them, put them in your boots and then the boots in the bottom of your sleeping bag.

you know, they sell thermal pouches for Nalgenes... Unless you really prefer having your boots in your bag.

[hillman1]

If the gate is still open, I'm driving in. I've hiked the road twice, and I don't really need to ever do it again. The ice axe for water is a great idea. Sleeping with warm nalgenes is also a great idea, as is a pee bottle in the bag. It's totally gross, but it gets re-warmed throughout the night...and getting up to go sucks when you're warm in a bag.

[lumberzac]

you know, they sell thermal pouches for Nalgenes... Unless you really prefer having your boots in your bag.

Martin - the nalgenes in the boot and then put in the bag is to keep your boots from freezing. It's nearly impossible to get frozen boots on your feet. Last winter I found out the hard way. I had to put a nalgene full of boiling water in each boot and then sit on them inside my sleeping bag all so I could force my feet into them.