Winter Trips

[NoSew]

What is the one item you don't want to forget on a winter backpacking trip? Ideally looking for answers other than the obvious.

[kayak karl]

^>v< compass

[bigcranky]

The awareness and willingness to cancel if the weather forecast is bad, or turn around and go back to the car if the weather turns bad at the beginning of the trip. The ability to set a firm turn-around time for a summit attempt and then stick to it. Serious winter isn't very forgiving of mistakes.

(This is assuming you have the obvious gear like the right bag, shelter, and clothing.)

[Sarcasm the elf]

Besides the obvious?

Kahtoola Microspikes

https://kahtoola.com/product/microspikes/

[rocketsocks]

knowledge and more importantly the where with all to employ it correctly and at the correct time. That may seem obvious, but to many it seems all to often it is regarded as "I always wanted to learn that about"

[4eyedbuzzard]

Credit card to rent a nice cabin with wood stove when the weather turned bad.
Oh a serious response?
A good winter tent.
Extra:
fire starting supplies.
batteries for headlamp (long nights).
pair of dry socks.
stove fuel.
food.
And a book to read during the long nights.

[One Half]

A hiking partner

[kayak karl]

knowledge and more importantly the where with all I've been known to forget this a few times, sometimes it had nothing to do with hiking :rolleyes:

[colorado_rob]

A GPS. I know, one shouldn't depend on an electronic device.... but a GPS has saved us twice from having to Bivouac (we had a map and compass too, of course). Which leads to the other piece of gear: A bivy sac! Plus matches and a fire starter. With those latter two pieces of gear I think I could survive anything.

[peakbagger]

The question is bit to broad, recommended gear in Maine is going to be different than gear in Georgia. I personally don't trust a GPS in NH in winter, when it works its great but a compass and some key bearings is a lot more reliable. A bivy sack is definitely a must although some folks carry a burrito wrap instead. In ME and NH a piece of foam to sit on is highly recommended, not for comfort but for heat retention.

[colorado_rob]

... In ME and NH a piece of foam to sit on is highly recommended, not for comfort but for heat retention.Good call on the piece of foam, though not sure why it is a ME specific piece of gear :-) ... goes along with the Bivy, a few feet of foam and a bivy and you can hunker down, not necessarily comfortable, but survivable.

[LoneStranger]

True winter camping is about all the things so I'd be tempted to say that, but since you limited the question to one item I'll go with common sense.

[George P Burdell]

Snacks that are edible straight out of your pack:
Clif bar at 0F = brick
Raisins at 0F = extreme jaw muscle workout
You get the idea...

[saltysack]

Yep a frozen cliff bar w a frozen water bottle stinks!!!! I always rotate cliff bars into my pockets while hiking to thaw out...and I sleep w my water bottle and bfast, fuel can and filter....


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[Lyle]

Good call on the piece of foam, though not sure why it is a ME specific piece of gear :-) ...

I agree, a closed cell foam sit pad is always in my pack, year 'round.

My winter specific, always want: Down Booties.

[Tipi Walter]

My winter specific, always want: Down Booties.

I used to carry WM down booties and they are good for in-camp walking around the tent in the snow, better than crocs because crocs let in snow onto your socks. Lately I leave the booties at home and use my Nilas down mittens for in-tent foot warmth when conditions warrant. They fit pretty good, just can't walk in them---

http://tipiwalter.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/Welcome-to-2015/i-HWHT8B2/0/L/Trip%20161%20099-L.jpg

[rocketsocks]

I've been known to forget this a few times, sometimes it had nothing to do with hiking :rolleyes:
Tis true for me too, sometimes I forget what I know, till I remember...then it's to late, oh fogetabouit!

[Traveler]

Perhaps overstated, but given my concern for this; Being able to recognize early onset hypothermia and the knowledge in how to correct it quickly.

[Lyle]

Just an additional thought on what I said above: The hooded version would add a LOT of comfort. My hooded, PrimaLoft jacket is one of my favorite pieces of gear.

[Lyle]

Woops, that was meant for a different thread - sorry.

[Bati]

plastic bags (for feet) and a good water filter (chemicals can take too much time and you'll never carry enough fuel to boil water)

[Glogg]

Sunglasses, and backups as well. I forgot mine on an overnight, it was a bright sunny day with plenty of snow, and I turned around a few hours after hitting the trailhead when I noticed the sky looking kind of purple.