December 6, 2000


What gear should I take winter backpacking?

I am planning my first big winter backpacking/snowshoeing trip to Rocky Mountain National Park next month. We will be hiking or snowshoeing and making a summit attempt or two. Other than more clothes and food, what should I take? Do I need an extra stove, larger footprint for the tent, trekking poles, etc? Any advice would help.

— Josh Brittain Stillwater, Oklahoma

Winter camping is a good test of one's outdoor skills. Especially, the ability to keep dry. So I always pack extra gloves —- LOTS of extra gloves, like three to four pairs —- when I'm out on a winter trip. Seems I always get them wet somehow. Taped, Gore-Tex shells work well, as does a pair of plain old kitchen rubber gloves. The latter are especially handy if you're digging a snow cave, or building an igloo to help shelter the tent.

Other than that, my "winter" list would look like this: Extra fuel, as you'll have to both melt water and cook. Take about half again what you'd carry for a summer trip. A bigger tent, if you have it. You'll have more clothes, and a bulkier sleeping bag. All that stuff takes up space. Some kind of candle lantern or even a propane- or white-gas-fueled lantern, for beating the early evening gloom. A snow shovel, or a very handy gadget called a Snowclaw Snow Shovel ($14), which lets you dig the way a gopher does —- with two hands, throwing the snow behind you. Trekking poles —- absolutely. For better balance when hiking, and as guy-out anchors. Maybe a second, lightweight sleeping pad, such as a Cascade Designs Z-Rest for $24). Cards, or a good book. A quart of Wild Turkey. Purely for medicinal purposes, of course.

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