How do ya gear up for Winter?

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
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Let's hear about what changes you make to your kit when heading out in the colder months.

Do ya carry extra clothing with you or just upgrade to woolen wear etc.

Do you start to carry 4 ways of making fire instead of just 2, etc.

Do ya swap ya 1095 belt knife for a stainless number to cope with the wet,etc.

Any extra precautions for day hikes such as letting people know exactly where ya going ?

Let's hear what changes and extra precautions y'all make !:thumbup:
 
pitdog said:
Let's hear about what changes you make to your kit when heading out in the colder months.

Do ya carry extra clothing with you or just upgrade to woolen wear etc.

Do you start to carry 4 ways of making fire instead of just 2, etc.

Do ya swap ya 1095 belt knife for a stainless number to cope with the wet,etc.

Any extra precautions for day hikes such as letting people know exactly where ya going ?

Let's hear what changes and extra precautions y'all make !:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Of course I wear heavier clothes and carry a puffy coat or fleace jacket even if it isn't cold when I head out. I carry spare clothes for sleeping such as thermals, thick socks and a wool cap.

I almost always have some sort of prepared tender such as trioxane of coghlans fire sticks, a bit of paper and lint, at least two bics. But I have all that year round, so no change there.

My knife choices usually remain the same. I see no need for substituting a stainless knive/knives for my favorite carbon steel ones.

I always try to let someone know where I am going and when I expect to return. For me, this is especially important because I live alone. I usually give the person I notify my rough itenerary and, if I am going to a State or National park, check in with the Rangers to let them know my plans.

Note though that I live in the midSouth, not in the Great White North.
 
This is the fourth of these "winter kit alterations" threads in three days. The only real difference I think is I ALWAYS bring a hat and gloves, and I also pack Bag Balm and lip stuff to help with cracking of hands, feet and lips.
 
Switch from a water bottle carrier to a full on daypack with a rain coat and warm hat. That's about it.
 
  1. Snowshoes (woo-hoo!)
  2. Micro-fiber under-layer zip-turtleneck
  3. Thick sweater with a wind and waterproof outer shell (I find this combo to be preferable to a winter coat most of the time)
  4. I add a tomahawk for long snowshoe outings, because the haft comes in handy for knocking snow off of tree branches
  5. Add extra PJCBs, tinder, and an extra lighter or two to my pack.
  6. Add a canvas shopping bag to my pack - this doesn't take up much space and comes in handy for gathering twigs and kindling for a campfire,
  7. I switch to a nylon belt sheath and a micarta-handled knife for longer outings. I find that this combo is fairly resistant to the cold and damp. My nice leather doesn't take kindly to being half-filled with snow and pine sap.

All the best,

- Mike
 
I carry pretty much the same stuff all year long. Really the only thing that changes is my clothing. I start layering on the cotton and wool and if need be, the super duper cold weather outerwear. The only other thing that might change is the pack I use. If I need to wear the super cold stuff, i take a pack big enough to stuff it in if I need to take it off. Being that I'm in the "dirty souf", it never gets Arctic Tundra temps here.
 
As with the other posts on clothing, I do add a few more layers, fleece watch cap and gloves. Depending on what I'm doing and how far away from the house/trailhead, I'll make sure I have more snacks, extra socks and even a small tarp. It doesn't get extremely cold down here, but the combination of low temps and wet weather can be just as dangerous. I prefer wool, but if it's expected to be wet, I'll make sure I have a water/wind-proof shell.

I carry enough for firestarting, but I will focus more on tinder.

ROCK6
 
I like having guaranteed tinder (like PJCB or wax soaked jute) & a bit of fatwood with me.

Spare mid-layer jacket in pack for layering on. Extra belaclava to wear with toque. Wool scarf is useful too. Dry wool mitt liners to replace ones I'm wearing. 2 pair dry wool socks in the pack. Winter camping, very important to have a dry sleeping set of long underwear - one that will not be affected by you sweating in it all day.

Larger pot than normal for melting snow if I have to - takes a lot effort to turn snow into water. Lots of chocolate...but I'm not sure if that differs from any other time of year.
 
A few have mentioned food rations, does anyone else carry food in Winter when they wouldn't in Summer ?

How about small stoves, does anyone start to carry them in Winter ?
 
I put a set of military long johns?(polar fleece type things) in my pack, heavier sleeping bag and carry my hunting gear. Which is typically extra ammo, latex gloves, paper towels, calls, scents, hand sanitizer and zip loc bags. I keep all that crap packed into a single lil bag of its own, so its like a stand alone unit. Everything else stays the same.
 
Switch to liquid fuel stove if need be.

Heavier boots and cutting tools.

Extra batteries.

Swap out hat and gloves & carry spares.

Two Karrimats.

Sleeping bag power up and some more Buffalo clothing. Down jacket if it's pretty out.

Kiddie size hot water bottle from £1 shop is a luxury touch – goes well against the kidneys when sitting around for hours.

Heavy duty food. Sometimes carry hot chocolate.

Nothing major, still got mah phone in tin foil 'cos if I want human contact I'll initiate it.
 
baldtaco-II said:
Switch to liquid fuel stove if need be.

Heavier boots and cutting tools.

Extra batteries.

Swap out hat and gloves & carry spares.

Two Karrimats.

Sleeping bag power up and some more Buffalo clothing. Down jacket if it's pretty out.

Kiddie size hot water bottle from £1 shop is a luxury touch – goes well against the kidneys when sitting around for hours.

Heavy duty food. Sometimes carry hot chocolate.

Nothing major, still got mah phone in tin foil 'cos if I want human contact I'll initiate it.
Click to expand...

Shame Buffalo doesn't have outlets in the US and Canada eh, they don't know what they are missing !;):thumbup:
 
pitdog said:
Any extra precautions for day hikes such as letting people know exactly where ya going ?:thumbup:
Click to expand...

This is a given no matter the season. Every time I hike I email a reliable friend my detailed itinerary--pack and clothing descriptions, trailhead location, trails I'll be using, stuff I'm carrying for short-term survival, vehicle description and plate #, driving route to trailhead, time I expect to be home. If I make changes during the hike I text or call if I am able. Cell phone reception has been surprisingly fantastic so far. As soon as I'm off the mountain and have a signal, I call to check in.
I have a laminated ID card with emergency contact numbers attached to my pack and carry another one on my person.

I think Codger_64 suggested taking a pic of hiking gear in another thread and I will do so. Thanks. :thumbup:
 
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