ENVIRONMENT SPECIFIC ADVENTURE CONSULTANTS

Winter Wonderland

Introduction

There is seldom scenery that is as breathtaking as virtually any natural wilderness that is covered in snow.  From the majestic Sierras, Sawtooth and Cascade mountains of the northwest down through the Rocky Mountain chain and east to the Appalachians with the lakes and fields of the heartland in between.  Snow cover just makes everything look fresh and spectacular.  Loads of us love to play out in the snow.  Most go skiing or snow boarding at a ski resort, ski or ride all day long and then move it indoors when the sun goes down.  Many ski resorts have those gas fire rings that are spaced outside that people can huddle around while enjoying the crisp night wintry air.  The fire cuts the chill and allows people to enjoy being outside at night, albeit for a short period before retiring to their nice warm hotel or condo room.

A lot of people who like to hike and generally be out in nature, usually like to be out in nature year round.  Many however have an aversion to getting out, ski trekking or snowshoeing for days on end and snow camping because they think that they will freeze out there at night.  If your desire is to get out in the Winter Wonderland and enjoy snow covered scenery, what you need initially is a Positive Mental Attitude combined with the desire, determination and dedication to do so.  With the advent of stronger, lighter and warmer clothing as well as durable and lightweight equipment, all that is left to get you out in the Winter Wonderland is your imagination.  There are so many techniques, tricks and tips that allow you to comfortably survive and enjoy the Winter Wonderland.

PROPER PRIOR PLANNING AND PREPARATION PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE!

CLOTHING

Let’s start out with the classic Winter Wonderland acronym; “COLD”…”C” stands for keep Clothing CLEAN.  Primarily avoiding overheating will help maintain your clothing in a clean condition.  Speaking of “O”…Avoid OVERHEATING. When you're moving with a pack on your back, you want to avoid overheating and sweating while you’re on the move as this will tend to chill you and open you up to cold illness/injury.  “L” is for wearing your clothing LOOSE and in LAYERS. The absolute best way to utilize your winter clothing is to dress in layers. The layer system works well! Some people, however, will be more comfortable in fewer layers than others. That is one of the great things about dressing in layers.  As you warm up, you can shed layers and whenever you stop to take a break, you can put a layer or two back on.  “D” stands for keeping your clothing DRY. The key to dressing comfortably to enjoy cold weather environments is to start out comfortably cool prior to engaging in physical activity such as cross country skiing or snow shoeing. After 5 or 10 minutes into your movement you and your group can take a “vent break” and shed a layer as necessary to avoid overheating keeping you clean and dry.  All of these points work hand in hand to keep you warm and comfortable in the Winter Wonderland. Tips on small details of clothing, how to wear them and under what circumstances are as follows:                                

Base Layer	Insulation Layer	Protective Layer	Super Warm Ensemble

Head and Neck.

Granite or A-16 bomber hat - One of the best cold weather hats around because it keeps your head warm as well as your ears and most importantly, keeps heat from escaping through the head. The A-16 bomber hat (or similar type hat) enables you to adjust the earflaps up with velcro to prevent overheating.

Headover/Neck Gaiter - A wool or polypro tube that fits over the head and can be worn around the neck like a scarf or around the neck and head like a hood for added warmth when needed. Another option is a headband, which can cover the ears but allows heat to escape through your head, which will prevent your overheating.

Face Mask - A must have item for temperatures below -30 degrees and/or winds in excess of 20 mph. Used to prevent frostbite of the face (nose).

Upper Body and Hands.

The body is dressed in layers, which provides more warmth with more layers and less chance of overheating with the removal of a layer or layers of clothing.

Normally, most of us will wear a long sleeved polypro tee otherwise known as a long john shirt. Some folks who chill easily may need an additional expedition weight polypro tee shirt and/or a down/synthetic fill vest. Be prepared to remove the extra layer(s) in the event that you start to overheat and sweat.

Most everyone under normal circumstances will wear a Gore-Tex or windproof water resistant top as the outermost protective layer. The Gore-Tex top will effectively retain heat to the body core. Many of us will get by with a lightweight outer jacket in mild to moderate winter conditions.  Depending on how you deal with the cold or where you may be in the Winter Wonderland, will determine whether you go with the lightweight jacket or a heavier weight parka.

Gloves and Mittens - Utilize the layer system for the hands, which effectively keeps the hands warm in most cases no matter what the weather conditions are. The first layer on the hands usually consists of lightweight polypro gloves/wristlets. The next layer is the warmth insert. The inner glove or mitten should be made of wool, polypro pile or thinsulate. This layer provides the majority of the warmth, which prevents frostbite to the hands. The outer layer will be a shell of either Gore-Tex or some other type of windproof/water resistant material, which will protect the inner glove/mitten and help to prevent frostbite from extreme low temperatures/wind chill to the hands. An extra pair of polypro pile gloves should be packed for you when you stop. The extra gloves will be worn anytime you need to do work with your hands. Mittens are the best protection for extreme cold because it allows free movement and circulation of fingers.

Lower Body and Feet.

Polypro long underwear bottoms serve as the first layer for the lower body. Some men who are prone to frostbite of the feet may have to wear expedition weight polypro bottoms. The next layer should be light or heavy weight Gore-Tex bibs or pants.

The boots we wear in the Winter Wonderland may vary depending on what we're doing or how we're moving. What's more important is what we slip on our feet before we slip them into our boots. The recommended sock layer system is to start out with one pair of light or medium weight polypro socks. Vapor barrier socks will be the next pair followed by a pair of heavy wool or heavy polypro socks. Some people do not like the vapor barrier sock system and will opt for just a couple of layers on their feet. In any case your boot should be one half to a full size larger than your actual shoe/boot size. This is to enable your layer-socked foot to fit snugly in the boot and allow toe movement.

Additional Clothing for Camp/Extreme Cold Conditions.

Additional clothing you may need to pack is a puffball jacket, puffball bottoms as individually required, a minimum of two extra pairs of wool or heavy polypro socks, an extra pair of gloves/mittens, a spare hat (sleeping hat) and if there is anyone who gets frostbite of the feet easily, you may need to pack the puffball pants or bibs and possibly a pair of over boots. Keep from taking more clothing than what you think you will need to stay warm while you’re out there.

FOOD AND WATER

There is nothing like good food and plenty of fluids to make a trek through the Winter Wonderland so much more enjoyable.  Here we will address ways to carry your water/beverages and keep it from freezing.  We will also cover how to pack your food so that your overall pack weight is reduced and preparation time is more efficient.

Water and Other Beverages.

Carry a one-liter Nalgene container that is on your person.  You can carry a cylindrical shaped bottle on a lanyard around your neck or in a bottle parka that is easily accessible.  A rectangular shaped bottle can be worn around your neck with a lanyard or fit easily in a large pocket in your parka. This water will be handy for you whenever you need to drink it and you can add snow to the water and melt it for more water.  Additionally, it is good to have a rigid water container in order to collect water from streams that may not be easily accessible for water bladders. 

Carry at least 2 liters of water for your move.  Water bladder manufacturers are now making water bladders with insulation that prevent the water from freezing particularly the drinking tube and bite valve.  The water in the main bladder will stay fluid because of its position in your backpack against your back. If you choose however to carry lexan bottles be sure to pack them in a bottle parka upside down to prevent freezing of the cap threads. 

There is nothing better than a hot beverage to drink about midway through your day movement and again when you roll into your next camp.  Those small bullet shaped thermoses are the ticket for a good hot wet. 

Pack your beverage powders such as orange vitamin C powder and instant coffee and/or cocoa using double zipper lock freezer bags, which are ideal.

Food.

When the group is at a campsite, the ideal times to eat major meals is in the morning prior to moving to your next point and at night in your camp before rest. In the morning, the best meal to prepare and consume would be either oatmeal or a freeze-dried meal. Oatmeal and freeze dried meals should be packed in zipper lock freezer bags because it reduces the bulk in your pack and it also makes preparation time more efficient. For oatmeal, empty two to four small packets of instant oatmeal into one small zipper lock freezer bag and that will constitute one meal.

For freeze-dried meals, remove the contents from its original container and empty into a quart to half-gallon size zipper lock freezer bag. Use of a larger half-gallon zipper lock freezer bag will enable you to add more ingredients to your "power meal" such as butter, noodles, cheese, tuna etc.  Have all of your ingredients measured and mixed already in your zipper lock freezer bags prior to moving out on your adventure.

For a day of skiing or snow shoeing to your next destination you'll want to pack food to snack on while on the move when you're on breaks. A good snack idea is gorp, (good old raisins and peanuts), or a conglomeration of anything you like to snack on such as any types of nuts, chocolate, dried fruit etc. A good recipe for gorp is one-third mixed nuts, one-third raisins and one-third m&m's. This mix rarely freezes and isn't as messy as other type mixes. Other types of food you may want to pack for a move or between large, prepared meals may be dried fruit, which will keep you regular in the field. Sliced summer sausage and sliced cheese, or beef jerky and gummi bears are just a few ideas. Prepare your movement food in advance while you’re in the rear with the gear.  Pre-slice summer sausage and cheese and put those slices in zipper lock freezer bags so that all you have to do on the trail is open the bag and eat. Depending on how arduous your daily move becomes will determine additional food for energy such as power bars or other high-energy snacks. Keep the energy bars you plan to eat that day close to your body so that you don’t crack your teeth eating a frozen energy bar. Put your gorp and other additional food into zipper lock freezer bags for storage with less bulk.

When you package your food and beverage powders use zipper lock freezer bags because they are tough and will rarely bust. A more important point about zipper lock freezer bags is that you can put boiling hot water in them to prepare your main meals.  You need to eat a lot of food to maintain the high calorie count you require to burn during daylight activities and simply to stay warm.

Food Bags

PACKING AND CARRYING YOUR EQUIPMENT

Second Line Systems.

Your Second Line System is a belly bag, fanny pack or an equipment vest normally worn by photographers or fishermen that is worn and contains equipment that you have easy access to. Your Second Line System can be worn comfortably while you have your backpack on.  The Second Line System will contain not only the items that you continuously need access to such as a pocketknife, compass, lighter/matches etc…but, also some survival items that may be necessary for you in the event you become separated from your backpack.  When choosing a good Second Line System, look out for the following factors as follows:

            *Will you be able to contain all your second line items in your second line system?

            *Will your pack fit comfortably over your second line system?

            *Will you maintain adequate freedom of movement while wearing your backpack especially while snow shoeing or skiing?

            *Will you be able to access your second line items easily?

With these major factors in mind, you should determine what second line system or combination of systems would be right for you.  Everyone will be different; hence, may require different types of second line systems.  A few examples of second line systems are as follows:

            *U.S. Air Force Survival Vest - This nylon mesh vest contains many pockets and can be purchased cheap at any Army/Navy Surplus Store.  You can also attach or sew on pouches and pockets to carry second line items to suit your own needs. When modifying your USAF Survival Vest with additional pockets ensure that it will be comfortable to wear and move in while you have your backpack on.

            *Photographer or Fisherman Vest - This is a lightweight nylon vest, which contains pockets across the front, which will hold numerous personal survival items.  These vests, which can be purchased at outdoor recreation stores, are easily worn while you have your backpack on.

            *Chest Pouch Harness System - Used and passed on by foreign special ops units specifically for long-range mission use, it is a system similar to a Rhodesian or Chinese ammunition vest.  It is a nylon chest mounted system that includes three to four pouches up front for personal survival items.

            *Belly Bag/Fanny Pack – Both the Belly Bag and the Fanny Pack are handy for carrying what you need to carry on your second line. It is very important to “test” out all possibilities.  You have to try on your 2nd line gear with and without your pack on to ensure that it fits well.  Then try moving in with second line with and without your backpack on.

The key to carrying all the items you need whether in your pockets, in a Second Line System and in your backpack, utilize the three C’s…Condense, Consolidate and Compartmentalize all of your equipment. Light is right and you don't have to freeze at night. By condensing, consolidating and compartmentalizing the equipment items that you need in the Winter Wonderland you will lighten the load without sacrificing any absence of cold weather gear, food or important personal creature comforts.

Continue to rehearse and try different equipment systems

The Backpack.

To aid in condensing, consolidating and compartmentalizing the equipment items to pack in your pack it should have at least an external pocket on the top flap and a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom which is separate from the main pack storage area.  Although many packs offer external pockets, it will be down to individual preference as to how many external pockets you would like to have to help you organize your gear. These pockets enable you to have ready access to gear you would like ready access to such as ready to eat food, cameras, binoculars, etc. Another important aspect about any type of winter pack is a way to detach a smaller daypack or fanny pack from the larger pack system.  Also you should have a warm top or puffball jacket in one of the outside pockets or just under the top flap so that during extended stops you have ready access to your warm top.    

Lay out and check the equipment that will keep you comfortable in the Winter Wonderland

Packing your Sleeping Gear.

Place a pair of camp booties, a vapor barrier liner and your spare hat inside your sleeping bag. Place your sleeping bag into your bivvy bag if you’re using a bivvy bag and then stuff all of that into your compression stuff sack. If you’re taking a one-person tent, practice packing it and putting it up several times so that you become proficient at it. Once you’re out in the cold, muscle memory will help you to do things automatically.

One of the best types of compression stuff sacks for your sleeping bag is the telescopic compression sack with vertical cinch down straps. After packing your one person tent a few times, you may opt to use a larger stuff sack to stuff the tent in which will be easier for packing up in the cold.  You can also pack the one-person tent by just stuffing it into the top of your pack.

Before heading out, make sure your equipment is in good working order

Packing your Meals and Cooking Gear.

One of the best ways to pack your individual meals is in zipper lock freezer bags then pack all your meals into an easily identifiable stuff sack.

Place your stove, eating utensils and spices into your cook pot if possible. If not, place all your cooking gear into an easily identifiable stuff sack or container.

Place enough food to snack on while on the move into one of your back pack outside pouches as well as in the pockets of your jacket.

Packing your Extra Clothing and Hygiene Items.

Pack your warm top in the top flap or a large external pocket on your pack for easy access while on the move.

Stow your extra socks with your hygiene kit which should consist of foot powder, tooth brush, tooth paste, floss, toilet paper, wash and dry moist towellettes, moleskin, aspirin and band-aids packed in a container or stuff sack.

Lay out all your equipment with the stuff sacks prior to packing your pack to make sure you have everything that you need and that it is packed properly.

LIVING COMFORTABLY IN CAMP

Give yourself enough time and daylight to get to your campsite so that you can set up camp while there is still light to see by.  Through proper prior planning you will have found a couple of tentative campsites that you can get to in plenty of time that should be suitable for setting up your tents, bivvy spots or digging out a snow trench or snow cave.

If you’re going without a tent and packing an overhead tarp and sleeping in a bivvy bag, you’re looking for an area with some additional overhead cover, and/or you’re digging a snow trench and then erecting your overhead tarp to give you additional protection from any falling snow.  If you’re staying in a one-person tent or even a larger tent, find a nice open area that is flat and start compressing the snow at your site by stomping around while wearing your skis/snow shoes.  This will harden the site and make for a nice flat area to lie down in while you’re sleeping in your tent.

After you’ve set up, dug out, stomped down and otherwise erected your shelter, take a break and get some warmer clothing on.  Break out your thermos and have a hot wet.  As you have planned and prepared with your partners, each of you move into your shelter one at a time.  If you and your friends are squared away, it shouldn’t take you more than five minutes each to get your ground pad(s) and sleeping bag out in your sleeping position within the shelter.  Also, because you’ve condensed, consolidated and compartmentalized your gear, you have your hygiene bag and your food bag handy for dinner and your hygiene routine.

Whether you sleep in a tent or a snow trench…have a good camp routine and you’ll have a good time in the Winter Wonderland

Camp Routine.

Everyone who enjoys the Winter Wonderland will have his or her own camp routine.  The key is being flexible with your camp partners especially if you’re sharing the shelter. Agree on what time you all want to get dinner going because you will probably be sharing the stove.  The time that you have before and after dinner will be the time that you go through your hygiene routines. Get your boots off, check and powder your feet and get some fresh socks on.  Put your boots back on or put your camp booties on.  If you’re going to stomping around outside then bring a pair of over boots and put them on over your camp booties.  In this day and age, we’ve got a pretty good selection of outdoor winter boots to choose from depending on our specific winter activity. Popular boots for skiing are the plastic double boots. Brush the snow off the outer plastic boot, stow them in your sleeping bag stuff sack and toss them in the shelter.  Brush off any snow that may be on the insulated inner boot and toss those inside your sleeping bag. At no time should you place your inner boots outside of your sleeping bag and/or your shelter because they will freeze.  Different strokes for different folks…if you’re prone to sweating during the day’s movement no matter what you’ve done, you will want to change out your long underwear for a dry set. Place all of your movement clothing that needs to be dried in your sleeping bag. Perform any additional hygiene (mole skin, minor first aid, brushing teeth etc.). All of this can be done prior to, or after dinner, depending on the person.

Normally, two to three people will use one stove. If you’ve planned an extended stay at a particular campsite then you may erect a kitchen area with snow benches and platforms in camp where all of you can congregate for chow. Gather fresh snow and pile it near your cooking area prior to cranking your stove. The first thing to do is make water to fill all the containers for everyone. Fill all water bottles with hot water and place them in your sleeping bags for additional warmth. Once all the water containers are filled, boil water for your meal and a hot beverage. When all the water and meal preparation is complete, turn off the stove and allow it to cool prior to refueling it.

Before turning in for the night, stow away all equipment that you will not need while asleep.  This will prevent you losing your mind in the morning looking for something in the midst of all the gear adrift in the shelter.

PROPER PRIOR PLANNING AND PREPARATION PRECLUDES DISASTER

The Winter Wonderland can be a risky place.  If your objectives are to have a good time out there then you will have to plan for how you will preclude possible contingency situations from arising as well as mitigating the threats inherent to being out in the Winter Wonderland.  Sit down with everyone that is going and look at that map, make some phone calls or surf the web for real time information about the places you’ll be moving through and camping at.  Have someone write down everything that you all as a group can anticipate for your trip and discuss the threats that can possibly happen and how to prevent them.  Start from actually reviewing your equipment lists, who is packing what, loading the vehicle(s), driving out to the trailhead, everything that you all as a group envision will occur during your outing in the Winter Wonderland and every detail in between all the way to when you have safely returned home from a cool adventure. 

Are you ready for a Snowshoe or a Ski through the Winter Wonderland for a few days?

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