Help me pack:) What am I forgetting?

aaronjayl

aaronjayl

Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
2,310
Long story short, I'm going to go visit some relatives in Bennington, Vermont next week. While there, I'm going to go for a few nights solo trip up in the mountains. This is going to be my first Winter solo trip. So I'm sitting here getting my stuff ready since our office voted to take a snow day due to the storm. I know I'm forgetting stuff but, sometimes you just need another set of eyes to help out. Here's what I have so far:

DSC_1765.jpg


1)Backpacking boots
2)Gore-Tex shell pants
3)Gore-Tex shell jacket
4)Fleece Jacket
5)Fleece pants
6)Gore-Tex Gloves
7)Wool hat
8)GPS
9)Compass
10)Solo tent w/footprint
11)0 degree rated sleeping bag
12)6 point hiking crampons
13)headlamp
14)Spare batteries
15)50' 550 paracord
16)1L Nalgene
17)Backpack w/3L bladder
18)Water treatment pill
19)camping pan/plate/utensils
20)firestarting kit
21)5" blade
22)2.5" blade

Not pictured but taken care of:
1)trekking poles
2)topo map
3)food
4)base layers (wool socks, thermal underwear, etc)
5)tp for my bum :o
6)9" blade

I think that about covers it :confused: You guys think of anything else???

BTW-if anybody is looking for a good internal frame backpack, Ms.Carla got me this sweet LL Bean one for X-Mas (click here). They are on sale now on their website for ONLY $49.95! Haven't really had a chance to test it out yet but, seems pretty damn bulletproof. Also I picked up a sweet headlamp from them. Also on sale right now (click here) for $34.95 and it is ridiculously bright. Just thought I'd pass it on if anyone is looking for gear;)
 
Some sort of drink mix?

Seems like everything is in order. I usually bring an axe to hack up ice on the lake for water, but I guess you can always boil snow.
 
Drink mix!... See, I knew I could count on you guys :D As for water, there will be PLENTY of snow so I was just planning on melting some for drinking water. That also reminds, SNOWSHOES! Could come in handy depending on how much this storm dumps:)
 
I would add:
sleeping pad
first aid kit
space blanket
whistle
signal mirror
sunglasses
alcohol gel hand cleaner
personal hygeine in general--- toothbrush, comb, etc.
duct tape
bandana
garbage bag -- at least use one for a pack liner and keep your sleeping bag and clothes dry. Trash compactor bags are really tough.
spare socks
thermometer
zip lock or aloksak to keep the TP dry --- been there! Do you know some people actually use snow? You could hear me shriek in the next town-- one of those Three Stooges-- WOOP WOOP WOOP WOOP!
 
Dale got everything I could think of and then some...how about have some fun and take a bunch of pics for us!
 
Wow, forgetting half the basics :o I always carry a trash bag, first aid kit, etc in my bob :( As for the sleeping pad, I'm out of room in my pack for one. I plan on just making a bed of pine branches under my tent. Also, I wear eyeglasses with transitions lenses so that takes care of sunglasses. Was snow blinded once before. I'll NEVER make that mistake again.
 
Are u planning on cooking with the camp fire or stove? If you're using a stove, then fuel as well.


I totally forgot about the signal mirror..hahaha, I just know than after a few days, I usually work up an urge for somethign sweet to drink, when reminds me, bring some snacks!!

I usually just strap my sleeping pads on the outside of my pack if you want to bring one. Maybe a small plastic shovel to clear out your camp siite.

I've never been up to a mountain in the winter before, sounds like fun. The highest point here in Ontario is only 1800ft high :(.
 
aaronjayl said:
Wow, forgetting half the basics :o I always carry a trash bag, first aid kit, etc in my bob :( As for the sleeping pad, I'm out of room in my pack for one. I plan on just making a bed of pine branches under my tent. Also, I wear eyeglasses with transitions lenses so that takes care of sunglasses. Was snow blinded once before. I'll NEVER make that mistake again.
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I strongly recommend that you take a pad. This is life saving stuff--- really. You'll thank me for it about 2AM the first night. Sleeping on snow or frozen ground will suck the heat out of your body so bad you can't imagine. Remember that the sleeping bag under your body is compressed so it doesn't insulate much at all at the contact areas. I tie mine on the outside vertically if I'm really out of room. A RidgeRest closed cell foam pad or even the ol' blue foam pad is light enough that it isn't much bother strapped on the outside.

Here's a great ultralighter trick: roll your pad in a loose tube and put that in your empty pack. Put your gabage pack liner in next and stuff all your goodies inside that. The tube formed by the pad will help to stiffen the pack and transfer weight to your hips more efficiently. Another great insulation trick for cold weather sleeping is to put your empty pack under your legs. This is really good if you are using a short pad.
 
I'll be cooking on a camp fire. No room for a stove. I need a bigger pack :o I'll be strapping my tent to the outside of my bag so I don't really have room for a pad. Snacks will be taken care of. I'm going to mix up a freezer bag full of some trail mix and I'll bring some homemade beef jerky :) Hiking during the Winter is the best! Soooo peaceful. Never solo camped before but, have done plenty of solo day hikes in Winter. My only concern is that I do not know the area AT ALL. My Aunt and Uncle just moved there a few months ago. I'll have the topo, compass, and GPS but, usually get nerves when hiking in new places as I have managed to get myself lost before while not paying attention. Didn't have a map or compass with me at the time though. LESSON LEARNED! ;)
 
DaleW said:
I strongly recommend that you take a pad. This is life saving stuff--- really. You'll thank me for it about 2AM the first night. Sleeping on snow or frozen ground will suck the heat out of your body so bad you can't imagine. Remember that the sleeping bag under your body is compressed so it doesn't insulate much at all at the contact areas. I tie mine on the outside vertically if I'm really out of room. A RidgeRest closed cell foam pad or even the ol' blue foam pad is light enough that it isn't much bother strapped on the outside.

Here's a great ultralighter trick: roll your pad in a loose tube and put that in your empty pack. Put your gabage pack liner in next and stuff all your goodies inside that. The tube formed by the pad will help to stiffen the pack and transfer weight to your hips more efficiently. Another great insulation trick for cold weather sleeping is to put your empty pack under your legs. This is really good if you are using a short pad.
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Alright Dale, I will take your advice. I'll swing by the local sporting goods store tomorrow after work and see what they have for pads. Hopefully I can find something decent for cheap. All Winter sporting good are 20%-60% off there right now. Maybe I'll get lucky :)
 
I think Dale covered it - besides what he recommended I'd also include a trowel or some kind of digging utensil. You gotta bury your waste...

I always bring tea and coffee - nice to warm yourself up with....

If you're paranoid about animals getting into your food bring some kind of bag to hang your food with - it sucks to find out that a rodent chewed through your tent or backpack to get to that yummy granola.

And just to emphasize what Dale said - get a sleeping pad. The earth is a gargantuan thermodynamic sink - it'll suck the heat right out of you and not even blink.
 
Did a test packing and while it'll be tight, I should be able to get a pad on there. Damn, I had a bigger pack. Not used to all the extra gear that Winter packing requires :o
 
akennedy73 said:
I think Dale covered it - besides what he recommended I'd also include a trowel or some kind of digging utensil. You gotta bury your waste...

I always bring tea and coffee - nice to warm yourself up with....

If you're paranoid about animals getting into your food bring some kind of bag to hang your food with - it sucks to find out that a rodent chewed through your tent or backpack to get to that yummy granola.

And just to emphasize what Dale said - get a sleeping pad. The earth is a gargantuan thermodynamic sink - it'll suck the heat right out of you and not even blink.
Click to expand...

Good points. I have a trowel packed, which I forgot to mention. I always bring one with me. Make easy work out of digging a poop hole :D I'll be bringing a few packs of green tea for a warm drink as well as a flask of brandy or scotch ;) My main reason for bringing the paracord is for tying up food.

As for the pad, I will make sure to get one. Guess I hadn't thought so much about the heat loss as I'm not used to Winter camping. I usually just cut pine branches to pile for sleeping on. This is my local gear place http://kitterytradingpost.com/category.php/pid/36/sid/318 , any recommendations?
 
-something to insulate your water bottle. Putting it in a pair of thick wool socks or mittens works if you don't want to buy/make a dedicated bottle insulator. Some of the commercial ones can be expensive for what they are.

-I second (third?) the sleeping pad. Snowy ground gets cold fast.

- Thin gloves - good to keep your hands warm when sorting through gear, cooking, and other tasks that require dexterity.

- Poles to go with the snowshoes

- gaiters to keep snow out of the top of your boots. You can also duct tape your pants over the tops of your boots

- Re-waterproof your boots. My leather boots (La Sportiva M-hikes) get soaked after a day of snowshoeing, and wet socks in frozen boots on day 2 are not fun. Alternately, you can put your feet in shopping bags or bread bags inside the boot - acts as a vapor barrier and keeps things drier.

-Make sure fire-starting kit has a plan B and C. Lighters don't work well when cold (keep in a pocket) or wet. Carrying tinder is good - vaseline-rubbed cotton balls, etc. I'm sure you have it covered, but there's no cheating when it comes to survival.

-Travel plans to leave with someone, in case you have too much fun and refuse to come back.


have a good trip! I'm jealous!
 
I also have a small pack. I usually tie a Waistpack around on the outside for extra storage. And if I want to explore around/ looking for firewood, I'll just take that with me.
 
magneto said:
Where is your thermal underwear? I have been through Vermont a few times and as they say down south, it's as cold as a witches titty there. Here is what I highly recommend. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0016690902272a&type=product&cm_sz=Tall
Its the best I have ever used. My advice is to buy a tall top and a regular bottom. Good luck and have fun.
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Thermal underwear and base layers are more than taken care of. I have Under Armour Cold Weather Gear and wool thermal underwear. Also have plenty of heavyweight wool socks.
 
aaronjayl said:
Alright Dale, I will take your advice. I'll swing by the local sporting goods store tomorrow after work and see what they have for pads. Hopefully I can find something decent for cheap. All Winter sporting good are 20%-60% off there right now. Maybe I'll get lucky :)
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The old blue foam pads are as good an insulator as most of the others out there for comparable thickness. They aren't as techy or pretty but they work. You might come across the green miltary style which is the same stuff. If you have the spare change, the ThermaRest RidgeRest is good as well as their Z-Rest-- the waffle foam one that accordian folds. Get anything that is closed cell foam for now and check garage sales next summer. All my foam pads came from garage sales and I paid $1-$2 each. I'll bet most were used once. The thing I like about the closed cell pads is you can throw them down on any suface for a rest stop or a nap and not worry about poking a hole in your $70 inflateable pad. I love to roll one out on a rocky river bank for a snooze. If you rest stop in the snow with the pad on the outside of your pack, you'll love having that under your butt-- just a minute to deploy and stow. I have a really ugly one that rocks for putting snow chains on.
 
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