Re: winter camping/backpacking - tips for newbies

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Posted by Rosh on January 16, 2007 at 7:01:49 pm EST
In reply to Re: winter camping/backpacking - tips for newbies posted by B-groupLizard on January 16, 2007 at 5:58:30 pm EST

I hope you make it up here some time. If you visit your sister, you should build in some extra time to explore the Chugach range and around Valdez. This place is amazing!

I've learned that winter camping requires a lot of work. Either you pack in shelter or you dig your own. You have to pack in your own water (and thaw it back out) or boil snow. I ate many meals cold because the water had a lot of steam. The thermal difference between -25F and 90F were so great, the water appeared to be boiling. My buddy even killed one of my Nalgene bottles with his ski pole because I let ice form in the lid and he was really thirsty and tried to remedy the flow problem...

If I want to find out if gear is warm enough to insulate on a camping trip, I don't climb or ski in it, I sit outside and make coffee or otherwise hang out. The first winter I was up here, I didn't get that cold because I was always moving, but as I began to camp (sit around), I froze. Caplene expedition weight, Primaloft, and softshells allowed my confidence to grow as I stayed out in more adverse conditions.

Here's a funny tip, learned first-hand from a friend. If you are ice climbing, especially in conditions colder than -25F, don't stick a carabiner in your mouth! ha ha

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