A special thanks to Moonshadow for letting me post her list:
Cold Weather Backpacking List
Up to 2 nights, 3 days of cold weather(snow on the ground) backpacking
( ) Backpack
( ) Backpack cover
( ) Sleeping bag (in a plastic bag lined stuff sack)
( ) Sleeping pad
( ) tent– tent, poles, fly, ground cloth should be split among tentmates
Clothing List
(this includes items being worn)
*packed clothing should all be in ziploc bags *
!!! -ABSOLUTELY NO COTTON - !!!
Wicking Layer - close to skin
( ) 2 pairs of long underwear - synthetic or silk
( ) 3 shirts - synthetic are best - long
sleeves protects against the sun and cold
( ) three pair socks with liners
( ) three pair underwear
Insulation Layer - traps warmth
( ) fleece jacket or vest
( ) pants (fleece or wool)
( ) knit cap - synthetic or wool-must cover ears
( ) fleece gloves
Outer Layer - protects against the wet and wind
( ) pants- snowboard pants/ ski bibs/ rain pants
( ) Snow jacket or Shell - should be waterproof
( ) waterproof gloves or mittens
( ) hiking boots - must be waterproof !!!
( ) spare laces for hiking boots
( ) camp shoes –old tennis shoes or snow boots–
Ten Essentials +
( ) Sun hat
( ) pocketknife
( ) personal first aid kit (see below)
( ) rain gear
( ) extra clothing
( ) headlamp & extra batteries
( ) sun block & lip gloss w/sunblock
( ) camelback
( ) trail food
( ) whistle
( ) matches/lighter & fire starter
( ) map & compass
( ) pen & paper
( ) bandana or three
( ) two 15 ft. pieces of parachute cord or small rope
( ) duct tape
Cooking/eating
( ) 2 one-gal. ziploc bags for trash
( ) eating utensils - soup spoon is enough, not metal
( ) plastic bowel
( ) cup/mug - insulated if possible
( ) snacks for hike/energy bars etc. (4 bars/day)
( ) Ziploc with Gatorade or drink mix
( ) any spices that YOU like
Cook Gear to be split between friends
( ) bear canister - a must in bear country for ALL smellables
( ) stove
( ) water filter/pump
( ) collapsing water pail
( ) fuel bottles
( ) cooking pans/lids
( ) pot holder (square of camp towel will do double duty)
( ) Camp Suds or (biodegradable soap)
( ) Scrub pad/sponge (1/2 sponge will do)
( ) food
( ) water for cooking
Misc.
( ) Snow Shoes ???
( ) backpackers snow shovel
( ) sun glasses if you wear them - a good idea
( ) water bottle(s) yes! in addition to camelback
( ) camera
( ) small game to pass time
( ) book or magazine
Toiletries kit
( ) wet wipes
( ) unscented antiperspirant
( ) lip gloss w/sunblock (chapstick too drying)
( ) sun block - small bottle - 4 oz. should do
( ) toothbrush & tooth paste (sample size)
( ) small 1.5 oz bottle of hand sanitizer
( ) comb or brush
( ) towel (small 1 square foot - no larger)
( ) small amount of toilet paper (1/4 roll - rolled up tight)
( ) tampons - no matter what time of month it is
( ) a black ziplock to pack used ones out
Personal First-Aid Kit
Medical information sheet
Complete information. If something happens to you then YOU may not be able tell anyone else the important information that could save YOUR life, (ie: meds you are taking, drug allergies, your doctor, your medical insurance, etc.). This sheet lets anyone who is trying to help YOU get all the right information. (I use a Boy Scout Class 3 adult form which can be found on their website, it’s a single small sheet that I cut down smaller and it fits in an 8×7 ziplock along with all of this stuff, I also have a coldpak and a rescue breather and more gauze and Band-Aids than this in my kit)
( ) Ibuprofen, aspirin/Tylenol or other painkiller
( ) Benadryl or other allergy medicine
( ) Imodium or anti-diarrheal
( ) Sudafed or other decongestant
( ) Tums or other antacid
( ) mole skin — 1 sheet
( ) 1 pair latex gloves
( ) wipes
( ) 6 adhesive bandages (various sizes)
( ) 2, 3×3-inch sterile gauze pads
( ) small roll of adhesive tape
( ) small pair scissors (cut tape/bandage material) unless your knife has them
( ) small tube or packets of Neosporin, Betadine
cream or other first aid cream
( ) burn gel
( ) eye drops (for really dusty trails)
( ) Tick tweezers
( ) needle, thread, & safety pins
( ) $1.00 in coins or phone card
In the hot summer months, I try to stick to the river trails so that a quick dip can be a quick fix for our infamous heat and humidity. In winter, it seems that Georgia mountain trails take on a whole new identity once the orange and yellow trees succumb to their winter hibernation. Bluffs once enclosed by canopy, now offer stunning views of the valley floors below. I can’t help but wonder if the Blue Ridge were named this time of year, with endless ridge after ridge rolling off into the horizon like waves at sea.
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