Wintertime backpacking trips into the wilderness are exhilarating. Although often overlooked, due to obvious weather extremes, the solitude offered by winter wilderness travel makes it a favorite time of year for many hikers. With the appropriate gear, snow-country travel can even be comfortable.
Shelter and Bedding
The most important element is cold-weather shelter and bedding. Typical summer-type backpacking tents are generally insufficient for winter travel. A four-season tent, although heavier, will serve much better. Ideally, though, a canvas wall-tent, capable of being heated with a small sheet-steel stove, is the perfect winter backpacking shelter. Use a pull-behind toboggan when backpacking in winter conditions, advises Garrett Conover, in his book, "Winter Wilderness Companion." The extra weight of the toboggan can be offset by the extra supplies that can be carried, such as a heavy tent and stove. The benefits of a wood-heated shelter are worth the extra weight.
Like shelter, summertime bedding is insufficient for winter travel. A heavier sleeping bag, rated for temperatures at least as cold as anticipated, is critical. The use of a pad under your sleeping bag is also critical, to insulate you from the cold ground.
Food and Nutrition
When traveling in the winter, the foods necessary for survival are more important than in summer. Foods high in fat will keep you warm, since they are harder to digest. This means they create more of an energy demand on your body, increasing your body's ability to keep you warm. Additionally, because fat contains more calories per gram than carbohydrates and proteins, you can consume more energy in the same amount of food by consuming fat-rich foods, like butter, sardines, and even pork or bacon.
Cold-weather Clothing
Winter clothing is different than summer clothing as well. While lightweight cotton is great in summertime, it is deadly in the winter. Synthetic fleeces and polypropylene clothing, as well as wool and silk fibers, are much more effective insulation in winter. The ideal cold-weather clothing system includes polypropylene or silk long underwear, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a wind- and waterproof outer shell. Additionally, well-insulated hat and footwear are critical.
References
- "The Winter Wilderness Companion: Traditional and Native American Skills for the Undiscovered Season;" Garrett and Alexandra Conover; 2000
- "NOLS Winter Camping;" Buck Tilton, et al; 2005
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