Winter camping kit

Discussion about winter adventure sports in the Sierra Nevada mountains including but not limited to; winter backpacking and camping, mountaineering, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc.
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oldranger
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Re: Winter camping kit

Post by oldranger »

I prefer skiis due to the positive effects of gravity when going downhill. Just completed overnighter "camping" trip. 2 hours up to campsite 30 minutes back to parking lot. Trip report pics in Beyond the Sierra.

Mike
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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rlown
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Re: Winter camping kit

Post by rlown »

oldranger wrote:I prefer skiis due to the positive effects of gravity when going downhill. Just completed overnighter "camping" trip. 2 hours up to campsite 30 minutes back to parking lot. Trip report pics in Beyond the Sierra.

Mike
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Shhsgirl
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Re: Winter camping kit

Post by Shhsgirl »

My husband and I are tagging along with Oleander on this one. We are taking ski pulks (gear sleds), if snow conditions permit. My husband will use skis and skins, and I will use snowshoes. We are bringing a two person four season tent with a vestibule, since we will have stuff that needs to be nearby as we sleep. Depending on temps, we will keep our boots (just cheap insulated Gortex brands without removable liners) in trash bags in our sleeping bags at night. We are bringing a liquid white gas stove, with four ounces fuel per person per day (and some extra, in case this calculation, which we got from a guy we met in a store, is incorrect). Because temps will probably be mild, but by chance they might not be, we will have the full nine yards of clothing. For pants, I will wear a mid weight base layer, with soft shell climbing pants over that, and a hard shell Goretex pant if it rains or snows or gets too cold. The top is basically the same, except the mid-layer is not soft shell--it's just a mid weight shirt. I will also have a down layer top and bottom, and to supplement my 20 degree bag, if necessary. (This down layer is part of my summer and fall sleep system, since I carry a light quilt). I am bringing two pairs of hand protection (probably overkill, but this is practice)--mittens and gloves with removable liners. I don't own any goggles, and am not bringing them unless forecast is for snow. Thank goodness we only bring 18 hours worth of food, but will follow Daisy's advice with the added fat, if it is cold. Thank goodness, also, that we have four adult children from which to borrow all this stuff and clothes.
You're right, this trip is for learning, so we are, if we are allowed, going to dig (we had to buy shovels) and stake out the tent as if it were a snowstorm, and bring all the necessary stuff for a snowstorm. Now you can see why we hope to pull gear sleds, rather than hump packs. I just hope it doesn't rain.
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Bluewater
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Re: Winter camping kit

Post by Bluewater »

This sounds like a fun class. Embrace the fourth season!

There are many years of experience behind all of the posts already but I wanted to humbly add some of my experience from just the last few years.

I did a blog post with a detailed 5 Day Sierra Winter Gear List here:

http://seatosummitultralight.blogspot.c ... -2014.html

I have used this setup (or similar) down to 10 F during 4, 5 and 7 day snowshoe trips in the southern Sierra. As usual I try to stay lightweight while staying safe, warm, dry and well fed.

I use a winter footwear system outlined in an article on BPL:

Silk liner sock, wool sock, Rocky GTX sock, MLD eVent Snow Gaiter & oversized non-GTX trail runner (with Toasty Feet inserts).

MYOG down booties with Goosefeet waterproof shells for around camp. The down booties are good sleep socks too (worn over a liner sock, feet are always toasty)

Shelter:

MLD Solomid
Suluk46 Ti snow anchors
MYOG bathtub groundsheet

Sleeping

Neo-Air xTherm (XL)
CCF 1/8" thick insulation pad
GG sit pad
MYOG quilt

Cooking:

MSR canister stove with invertible canister for temps below 15 F
1 litre Ti pot/lid to melt snow

Hands:

Lightweight synthetic or Smartwool liner
W\B cuben mitts (during the day)
Blackrock down mitts (at night)

Misc:

Snow Claw just for use around camp to gather snow for water or build small walls around my shelter. A shovel with a handle would be nice if doing anything more.

A hot water bottle inside my quilt a few minutes before going to bed pre-heats the inside and doubles as a warm drink at night.

Have fun!
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