This list is recommended for hikes in where you expect to find 8 inches or more of snow, or temperatures below 40 for the majority of the hike.

Download and print the packing list

General Gear:

  • Day pack with hip belt

  • Sturdy boots

  • Hiking socks:

    • Thick wool socks

    • Thin wicking liner

  • Watch or similar

  • Toilet Paper

    • WAG bag

    • Kula/pee cloth

  • Small Trowel

  • Layers (worn and packed):

    • Wicking inner layer

    • Insulating mid layer

    • Wind/Water proof (shell) outer layer

    • Gloves/Mittens

    • Hat/Neck gaiter/Balaclava

  • Puffy jacket

  • Extra sets of gloves, mittens, and hats

  • Gaiters

  • Extra socks

  • Multiple Hand / Foot warmers

  • Microspikes

  • Snowshoes or Backcountry skis

  • Rope/Webbing (50 feet)


 

Optional Gear:

  • Rain cover for pack 

  • Trekking poles with snow baskets

  • Whippet or Ice Axe

  • Full 10 or 12 point crampons

  • Liner gloves

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Camera/Phone

  • GPS device

  • Satellite device (inReach or similar)

  • Battery pack and cable

10 essentials:

  • Paper map and compass

    • GPS/Phone does not replace

  • Rain and Insulation Gear

    • Jacket & pants or Poncho

    • Puffy Jacket

  • Headlamp x 2

    • 1 set of extra batteries

  • First Aid kit

  • Emergency kit

    • whistle / signal mirror / bright cloth

    • knife

    • duct tape

    • paracord

    • zip ties

    • repair kits

  • Fire Starting Material

    • matches

    • lighter

    • fire starters

  • Food for the hike

    • Trail mix / snack food

    • Lunch

  • Water

    • At least 2 L in insulated bottles

    • Means of purifying

  • Sun protection

  • Emergency shelter

    • Emergency blanket

    • Emergency bivy

Notes:

  • WAG bags or a dedicate bag for solid human waste are needed as you cannot easily dig a cat hole in frozen ground under feet of snow.

  • Water purification can be chemical tablets or a pot and stove. Filters may freeze. Everyone should have a method to purify in the event they get separated from the group and need clean water. Chemical tablets are small, and can easily be added to a first aid kit. At least 1 person in the group should have a pot and stove.

  • For water:

    • If using a bladder, make sure the tube is insulated, I have had luck down to mid teens F with this. 

    • If using bottles, either use insulated bottles or insulate your bottles with thick socks, store thread side down, and if possible inside and in the middle of the pack.

  • Check the expiration dates on the things in your first aid kit, water purification tablets, sun block, bug repellent, and food. Replace if needed.

  • Check that your headlamps work. Yes, you need 2 means of light, have you tried changing batteries in the dark?

  • Headlamp batteries should be lithium, not alkaline. Lithium batteries do better in cold weather.

  • Boots may be insulated. If not insulated, wear thicker socks and add foot warmers as needed. Make sure that the boots are comfortable, but not constricting.

  • Microspikes should be little triangles of steel. The coil and dot style spikes are not appropriate for the woods. Check that the microspikes fit your boots BEFORE packing them.

  • Check that the snowshoes or skis fit your boots, and you know how to put them on BEFORE packing them.

  • If carrying crampons, check that the crampons fit your boots, and you know how to put them on BEFORE packing them.

  • Practice donning and doffing all gear at home with gloves or mittens on your hands. Do so until you’re proficient doing so as it may not be practical to do it bare-handed on the trail.

  • The extra clothing is not a typo, it may save your life. A full change of clothing in your pack (at least base/wicking and mid/insulation). If you fall into water, sweat heavily, or otherwise get wet, you will need a change of clothes. 

  • At minimum you will need packed at least 2 pairs (or sets of pairs if you normally wear multiple socks at one time), at least 2 pairs/sets of gloves and liners (if used) and at least 1 hat. These items typically get wet and should be able to be changed as needed.

  • Chemical hand and foot warmers are good for X hours. Expect them to last ½ that time, and have at least 1 extra. Electric hand and foot warmers should have spare batteries.

  • Food should be significantly more than what you carry in summer. You will burn those calories off. Poor nutrition leads to poor decisions at the end of the day, and will cause mistakes.

  • Food should not be all of one type of food (Carbs/Sugars, Proteins, Fats). Have Carbs/Sugars for quick energy and a high protein or fat food for longer term energy.