Prepping for colder temps mid-winter means carrying a bit more in the touring pack.
With less available daylight and colder temps, packing for a mid-winter tour includes much of what we might carry in spring, with the addition of more layers to stay warm. Here’s our rundown of what to carry in a pack for a winter (read cold weather) tour.
We’re certainly not advocating carrying the kitchen sink. Moving efficiently in the mountains often requires choosing specific gear to bring along and leaving other items at home. Through experience and finding what works for you, we hope you are prepared for most emergency scenarios. Remember that plummeting temps, especially once the sun goes down, can make it all hit the fan mighty fast in winter.
The key, again, like packing for a spring mission, is to keep the pack and its contents as light as possible. And we don’t need to mention skins do we? We expect they’ll be on your skis and not in our pack as you begin the tour.
Your mid-winter mission might also require more technically oriented sharp and pointy things and a rope. Plan for expected conditions and carry the proper gear.
The Pack
There’s a big spectrum for what we consider a suitable winter pack. You’ll want the volume to absorb extra bulky clothing and a ski carry system suitable for potentially longer and wider skis; it is powder season. All this means potentially more weight: the pack must carry well and find a suspension system that makes carrying weight more comfortable.
Some of you can pair down the winter kit and make do with a 20L pack. In this run down, we are thinking about a typical winter powder day with temps dropping into the 20s Fahrenheit or lower. On those days, we’re bringing the extra layers. Narrowing down the pack selection is difficult; many companies do a great job designing winter ski packs. Find one that fits your body and needs and is moderately durable (lighter fabrics often mean less durability). Spending several hundred dollars on a ski pack means it should be around for many seasons.
Safety Gear
- Non-negotiable: Shovel, Beacon (worn on your body), Probe
- Spare transceiver batteries
- Semi-negotiable: Two-way radio. On most days, we recommend bringing group radios. They have considerable upsides, intra-group comms are more efficient, and they can also promote more effective inter-group comms in zones with common radio channels.
The Winter Staples
- Headlamp for dawn starts and the potential late arrival
- Extra batteries for the headlamp
- Skins (usually on your skis to begin the day)
- Pack Dermatome for lips. Some are also compulsive about Sierra Madre Sun Cream SPF 30. It slays. Great for the face, nose, and any exposed skin.
- Extra ski hat in the event you sweat excessively while skinning
- Buff to provide extra insulation
- Liner gloves that provide good dexterity (we often begin skinning in these)
- Beefier gloves like the BD Enforcer (designed for ice climbing)
- Mittens (preferably Gore-Tex or equivalent) in the event of cold temps/emergencies
- Pack a warm down/synthetic jacket that trends towards keeping you warmish if you spend the night out. Folks like RAB’s Mythic Ultra (down) and Patagonia’s DAS parka is a proven synthetic option.
- Insulated full side zip pants, great for long breaks and essential for an unexpected night out
- A lightweight hardshell for potential inclement weather
- Extra pair of warm socks (a luxury for some.)
- Goggles
- Three ski straps to assist with field repairs
- 1-2 X collapsible 1L water bottle. (Oftentimes, we carry a single liter of water mid-winter.)
- .75-1L thermos for tea on very cold days.
- Wag bag
- The Garmin InReach mini (and mini 2) are good options for communicating that you might be late and are indispensable for emergencies.
In winter, carry extra layers for any potential mishaps. Photo: Barry Wicks
Group Gear
- Rescue sled/tarp
- Small repair kit
- First Aid kit
Mission Specific
- Ski Crampons. At least in the PNW, ski crampons can be useful for ascending some of the upper portions of the volcanoes.
- Small piece of foam to sit on during extended rests.
I’d say the foam sit pad goes in staples, not ‘Mission specific’’.
True, many tours you might not take a sit down break, but it is still an essential part of emergency gear, to provide insulation from below if someone is immobile, or use as part of a splint.
I have also sliced off a small piece to create a ‘metatarsal button’ on the insole, to combat nerve pain/ numbness in the forefoot.
We might want to rethink using the RAB Mythic Ultra jacket. It has a heat reflective lining, meaning it’s metal coated. This might act as a Faraday shield, reducing the signal from your beacon. Columbia has had something similar for a while.
I am not an electrical engineer, nor have I seen tests done on this, but until proven ‘innocent’ I will personally stay away.
Slim, that a solid call out. I’m eyeing a Feathered Friends Helios.