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Posted by Tom D on October 24, 2007 at 9:48:31 pm EDT
In reply to Winter Camping - First Timer Needs Advice posted by BigSmoke on October 24, 2007 at 12:41:24 pm EDT

I suggest doing as much reading as possible on winter gear and techniques. Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book is a good place to start. There is apparently a new version-go to Amazon to see it. This book is as much about camping as it is about skiing-it is cheap, with easy to follow tips and cartoons for illustrations. Lots of good info and a fun read.

There are many winter camping websites. The Lightweight Backpacker(http://www.backpacking.net) has a winter forum with threads on every aspect of winter camping and a winter gear list. I am a member there as well and you'll see pictures of my winter gear on the site in the winter forum. I have two extensive trip reports posted there and there are some other good ones as well. Look in either the winter forum or the trips forum.

Many other sites also have gear lists and camping tips; it is just a matter of doing a lot of searching.

The basics are pretty simple-figure out a way to stay warm, stay dry, cook your food, make water and don't get lost. The choices for gear are almost as varied as for any other season. My gear list is pretty short because I don't own a lot of gear. Other people seem to own one of everthing. I have gone winter backpacking on skis and towing a sled (pics on TLB), but car camping is a good way to start.

A few hints-take extra gloves or mitts, including liners and outer waterproof shells; get warm boots-Sorel, Baffin, TNF, whatever works for you; get good socks-I like Patagonia or Smartwool; make sure you have sunscreen or you will get fried if the sun is out; layer your clothes-light for hiking and other exercise, heavier insulation for sitting around at night; get a Turtlefur beanie or something like it, maybe a balaclava if you like those; get a headlamp-it gets dark earlier than you think; get a cheap blue foam pad and cut it up to make pieces you can sit on; get a breakdown shovel, like the Voile Mini-it will be invaluable for all kinds of things; gas cartridge stoves don't work that great in cold weather (they work, just not all that great the colder it gets)-get a liquid fuel stove or a Coleman Extreme; taking two stoves is not a bad idea; learn to make water from snow (yes, there is a method)-don't worry about taking a water filter, freezing may crack the filter,just boil your water.

Make sure you eat enough. If you run out of energy, I pretty much guarantee you'll wake up shivering in the middle of the night.

Buy decent chains. Two years ago in Yosemite, I saw the tracks left by a car that went over the side right before the bus I was on went by. Fortunately, no one was hurt from what I found out later, but that's no way to spend your holiday.

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