Winter Camping and Backpacking Tips

Pre-trip Planning

Winter outings offer different challenges than summer camping. You must be prepared for more severe weather and shorter daylight hours by having extra gear and additional skills. Before you leave home, have a plan.

• Don't go alone. Share your winter adventure with 3 to 5 friends who have expertise in different winter skills (snow shelters, route finding, snow travel, etc.).
• Study maps and research the area. How long will it take to get there and set up camp? If something goes wrong, what emergency services (i.e., medical, search & rescue) are closest?
• Talk to people who have been there and can give you pointers.
• Check the weather forecast. Are conditions favorable? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service (NOAA-NWS) Web site offers detailed backcountry forecasts.
• Check the local road and trail conditions.
• Recognize and avoid avalanche areas. Check the local avalanche forecast and don't go if avalanche danger is high. Keep in mind that avalanche forecasts may be general and not accurate for specific areas. If you are on or near any slope greater than 20°, your group should have formal avalanche training.
• Leave a trip plan. Let others know where you'll be, when you'll be there, when you'll return, vehicle information and names and contact number for participants in your group.
• Make sure everyone in the group has the same plans, expectations, turnaround times and goals.
• Make sure you don't forget to pack something important. 
• Carry some cash for unexpected fees or emergencies.
• Be prepared for the unexpected. Always have extra food and clothing just in case the weather changes, you get lost or your trip makes any unexpected detours.

The middle layer is your insulating layer. It also moves (wicks) moisture away from your body, but it is primarily designed to help you retain body heat. For snow camping, consider expedition-weight fleece or microfleece shirts, pants and jacket and/or a goose down jacket.

The outer layer , or shell, is your waterproof/windproof/breathable layer. Shells made of laminates such as Gore-Tex, eVent offer premium protection. Less expensive alternatives typically use polyurethane-coated fabrics that are equally waterproof but somewhat less breathable. Many are designed with core vents and underarm vents to help you expel excess heat and moisture.

Tip: If you take a break, put on a layer so you don't cool off too much. Your body will have to work harder to warm up again.

Key Winter Accessories

• Hats: You lose a significant percentage of your body heat through the top of your head. Follow the old mountaineering adage: "If your feet are cold, put on a hat." A warm hat is critical for snow camping. Consider windproof models such as those made of Gore WindStopper fabric.
• Gloves and mittens: This is another must. Take extras, too, in case they get wet.
• Gaiters: A must for deep snow, they help keep snow, rain and water out of your boots. They even add a bit of warmth. Be sure to use a waterproof/breathable model—they cost more but are designed for winter use.
• Goggles and glasses: Always protect your eyes from sun and wind. There are different lens tints for various weather conditions.
• Socks: As with most of your body, your feet need a thin, snug layer next to the skin and a second layer over it, both made of merino wool or synthetic wicking fabrics. The thickness of your second sock is determined by your boot fit. An extra-thick sock will not keep your feet warm if it makes your boots too tight and restricts circulation. Take extras. If they get wet, put them in the sleeping bag next to you to dry.

The Ten Essentials

When heading into the backcountry—especially in snowy or cold conditions—it is essential to have the right gear for your comfort and safety. Developed in the 1950s, the "Ten Essentials" are a time-tested group of items that has more recently been updated into the 10 essential systems.

• Navigation
• Sun protection
• Insulation (extra clothing)
• Illumination
• First-aid supplies
• Fire
• Repair kit and tools
• Nutrition (extra food)
• Hydration (extra water)
• Emergency shelter

Winter Gear Considerations

Backpacks

Winter backpacking requires extra gear, so you most likely want a high-volume pack. Pack as lightly as you can, but always make sure you're prepared for winter weather and conditions.

Rough guidelines for a 2- to 4-day winter backpacking trip:

• Lightweight: minimum 4,000 cubic inch pack
• Deluxe: approximately 5,000 cubic inch pack or larger.

If you plan on carrying skis or snowshoes, make sure your pack has lash points or is otherwise able to secure these large items.

Sleds

For longer trips and expeditions, it is common to pull a sled. A sled helps you to reduce weight on your back, and it lets you carry more gear. A sled is not practical for all terrain, so study your topo map and ask about trail conditions beforehand. It's also a good idea to practice pulling a sled while wearing your snowshoes or skis.

Sleeping Bags

A sleeping bag helps retain your body heat to keep you warm, and keeping warm is essential to snow camping. Make sure you use a bag that's rated at least 10°F lower than the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. You can always vent the bag if you get too warm.

Bags are generally categorized as follows:

Cold- and winter-rated bags are supplied with generous amounts of goose down or synthetic insulation. Down is the most popular choice due to its superior warmth-to-weight ratio—just make sure to keep it dry (when wet, down loses much of its insulating ability). These bags are also distinguished by their draft tubes behind the zippers, draft collars above the shoulders and hoods to help keep the heat in the bag.

Ground Cloths

A ground cloth protects your tent or bivy sack from dirt and twigs, plus winter campers find that it deters any water that might seep from the snow through the tent floor. You can use any tarp as a ground cover, but a tent "footprint" (sold separately) is custom cut to fit under your tent's floor design, easily attach to the tent and be lighter weight.

Lighting and Batteries

Winter nights are long, so make sure your headlamp and flashlight batteries are new or fully charged before an excursion and always take extras. Lithium batteries perform well in cold weather, but they can overpower some devices like headlamps. Check your product's manual for compatibility. Alkaline batteries are inexpensive and should work in any device, but they drain at a faster rate.

Tip: Cold temperatures decrease battery life. Store your batteries and battery-operated devices inside your sleeping bag to keep them warm.

Two-way Radios

Use these to stay connected to members in your group who travel at different speeds or if someone elects to stay at camp while you're out skiing or snowshoeing. Remember, the backcountry most likely has no cell phone coverage.

Types of Winter Backcountry Travel

You have a number of enjoyable options for snow travel. For an overview, see the REI Expert Advice article and video on backcounty travel in winter. Just keep in mind it takes a little more gear than in summer to get there.

Alpine Touring (Randoneé) or Telemark Skiing

If you're a skier, these are great ways to go for both the ascent and descent. AT ski bindings let the heel move for going uphill, and they clamp down for downhill skiing. Telemark skiers have their heels free all of the time, which requires a different type of turn when skiing downhill.

AT skis require matching boots that are a combination of a plastic climbing boot and an alpine ski boot. A switch sets the cuff to a soft flex for uphill skiing or climbing, or it can be set for a stiff flex for downhill skiing. Telemark boots and bindings are not compatible with AT gear.

Skiing with a full pack on your back takes some practice—so practice!

Tip: To keep your boots from freezing at night, put them in a stuff sack (turn the stuff sack inside out to keep the inside clean and dry) and then into your sleeping bag. Your toes will thank you in the morning.

Snowboarding

Just as snowboarding is popular on ski-resort slopes, it is also a popular way to see the backcountry. A snowboard's wide base makes it great for descents, but the ascent may still require snowshoes (which means more weight on your back).

Some snowboards are split boards—they are actually 2 skis that latch together and form a snowboard. These are not as rigid as a traditional snowboard.

Snowshoes offer the easiest and least expensive way to travel in snow. "If you can walk, you can snowshoe" is a common expression indicating that no special skills or training are required. Snowshoes disperse your weight over a large surface area, thus providing a degree of flotation that reduces the amount you sink into soft snow. You should not, however, expect to literally "float" on the surface of the snow.

Snowshoes provide good traction for climbing, traversing and descending slopes. They also work better than skis in areas of closely spaced trees or in brushy or rocky areas.

Related Gear

Poles: No matter what your means of ascent, you'll want to have a pair of adjustable ski or snowshoe poles. They provide welcome support and balance and can be used for downhill skiing or snowshoeing as well. If you don't want them for parts of your route, just shorten them and strap them on to your pack.

Ice axe: This can help you self-arrest when sliding, serve as an anchor for climbing or hack through ice when setting up camp. Be sure you know how to properly use it before heading out. Seek out competent instruction and practice.

Crampons: These provide traction when walking on snowfields, climbing on technical terrain or ascending waterfalls.

Tip: Regardless of your means of travel, have each member of your party take turns being the one to break trail in deep snow.

Snow and Avalanche Safety Gear

Snow saw: This is a necessary tool when making a snow cave or igloo and you need to cut through layers of ice or snow. Use by hand or attach it to a ski pole for longer reaches. It is also useful for evaluating slope stability to determine avalanche hazard.

Snow shovel: Everyone should carry one in the winter backcountry. Shovels can be used for avalanche rescue, leveling a tent site, digging a snow shelter or getting fresh snow to melt for drinking water.

Avalanche transceiver: This is a required item in avalanche-prone areas for each member of your group. As with any safety device, be sure you know how to use one before heading out. This requires competent instruction and practice.

Making Camp in the Snow

Make sure you start your hike or drive early enough to reach your destination with time to spare. Give yourself time to relax, have a snack, cool down and put on extra clothing layers. You want plenty of time to be selective in finding the right camp spot and setting up your gear.

Winter campsite considerations:

• Is there natural wind protection?
• Is there a good water source nearby—or will you need to melt snow?
• Is the site free of avalanche danger?
• Is it reasonably safe from falling trees and branches?
• Does it give privacy to and from other campers?
• Are there landmarks to help you find the camp in the dark or a snowstorm?
• Where will the sun be in the morning? A sunny spot will help you warm up faster.

In patchy snow conditions, set up camp on the snow or an established campsite of bare ground and no plant life. Always practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.

Types of Winter Shelters

Mountaineering (4-Season) Tents

For snow camping, you ideally want a "mountaineering tent" (also known as a "4-season tent") that's easy and quick to set up in frigid conditions. These tents are a bit heavier than 3-season backpacking tents but offer better protection against the elements.

Typical mountaineering tent features:

• Dome shape and an extra-strong pole structure to combat high winds and shed snow loads.
• Mostly solid fabric (instead of mesh) for more warmth and strength.
• Dual doors for easy access for 2 campers or for a sheltered entrance/exit in bad weather
• Extra guy lines for more stability in high winds
• A gear attic (a mesh shelf that hangs from the ceiling) to stow gear and free up floor space
• Large vestibule(s) for wet-gear storage or a sheltered cooking area.

Mountaineering tents employ either single-wall or double-wall construction. Each has its advantages.

Setup tips:

• If it's windy, build a snow wall if possible. If it's not feasible to do so, then dig out the snow a couple of feet down for your tent and vestibule. This helps to reduce wind impact.
• Pack down the snow before setting up your tent. Loose snow is more likely to be melted by your body heat and make it uncomfortable for sleeping.

Bivy Sack

Ultralight backpackers can opt to skip the tent and go with a bivy (short forbivouac ) sack instead. A bivy sack keeps you and your sleeping bag dry and adds about 10ºF of warmth to a bag. A bivy is simply a waterproof/breathable overbag for your sleeping bag that provides one of the lightest ways to protect yourself from the elements. A few models have mesh netting and poles that give tent-like protection around the head area. These are sometimes called bivy shelters.

Snow Caves, Igloos, Quinzhees and Trenches

Experienced parties who plan on camping at the same spot for multiple nights can consider making a snow cave, quinzhee, igloo or trench. It's a lot of work, but the result is quite satisfying: a quiet and relatively warm place to sleep. Typically, it takes 2 people at least 2 or 3 hours to complete a snow cave or igloo; trenches can be created somewhat faster.

To build one of these shelters, you need a snow shovel and, for igloos, a snow saw. Before digging, use a probe to make sure you won't be digging into a rock. And, just in case, you may want to bring a tent as a backup shelter.

Steps to building a snow cave:

1. First, you need lots of snow in a site that is level and has no risk of avalanches. You may need to use a snow bank or a drift.
2. If practical, make the cave large enough to accommodate everyone in your group. When building, keep the base of the cave or igloo thick—about 2 to 3 feet thick.
3. Dig the tunnel sloping it upward so that colder air is lower.
4. Hollow out the snow cave dome. Make it large enough so you can sit up.
5. Smooth the roof so you don't get drips on your sleeping bags.
6. If desired, make snow benches to sleep on. Colder air remains below the bench so you stay warmer.
7. Important: Make a ventilation hole in the roof to avoid risk of suffocation. This should be about the size of your ski or trekking pole basket.
8. Use a waterproof tarp for the floor.
9. Snow is heavy and needs to be supported correctly. Avoid making the cave too wide and know what to do if the roof collapses.

Tip: Put a backpack in the doorway to keep a snow cave warmer. Just make sure the door remains accessible.

Steps to building an igloo:

1. Find or make a level space in the snow.
2. Dig a gentle slope to make an entrance passage. This helps to keep the warmer air in and the colder air out.
3. Using your shovel and snow saw, make snow blocks from hard blocks of snow.
4. Form a row of blocks in a circle. The first tier of snow blocks should be thicker than the others.
5. Make a second layer on top of the first, decreasing the thickness and staggering the block joints.
6. Keep stacking blocks, gradually decreasing the thickness so that the upper tiers are thinner and tapered toward the center to form a dome.
7. Make a hole in the top for ventilation by leaving a gap between 2 blocks or making a hole through one of the blocks.
8. Fill in any other cracks or gaps with snow.
9. Smooth the blocks on the inside to minimize dripping water.

Tip: Don't make it too big. The wider the base, the greater the risk of collapse. Sprinkle water over the igloo at night (early in the day is OK if the temperature is cold enough) to freeze and strengthen the structure.

Tip: It's OK to wear your wet clothes while establishing camp. Your body heat will help them to dry more quickly than it would to hang them.

The Winter Kitchen

Your Stove

Liquid-fuel stoves are recommended for cold temperatures. White gas is readily available in North America, Australia and New Zealand. For other countries, consider a multifuel stove that allows you to burn auto gas as well. Auto gas burns dirtier than white gas, but it might be your best or only option in some areas. Before you leave home, always make sure your camp stove is working properly.

Other winter camping considerations: You may want a windscreen and heat exchanger to improve cooking performance. Keep in mind, too, that you'll use more fuel at higher elevations, and it takes extra fuel to melt water. Finally, bring a backup stove, just in case. The added benefit is that having 2 stoves speeds up the group-cooking process.

Camp Cooking Area

It's best to have a sheltered cooking spot, which can be as simple as your tent's vestibule. If you have the time and energy, dig a trench about 3 feet deep to create a cooking area that is sheltered from the wind. One of the joys of winter camping is the ability to build a kitchen, using your shovel to make a cooking surface, seats, table and even a storage cabinet. Use your imagination to make it as elaborate as you'd like. Consider taking a foam sit-pad to use while cooking on the cold surface. It helps you stay a little warmer and drier.

Food Tips

If you're snowshoeing, skiing or boarding, you are using a lot of energy. Be sure to eat before, during and after your activity to keep your energy up and help your body recover.

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates all provide energy.

1. Proteins (meats, dairy and eggs) help build muscles and body tissue.
2. Fats (nuts and meats) are used primarily for energy.
3. Carbohydrates (cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, breads and candy) also provide energy.

During your activity, consume some of the many energy foods , performance beverages and snacks available. Consider food that does not take much cook time or clean up. Look for one-pot meal or, better yet, buy some freeze-dried entrees and breakfast foods—just add hot water in the pouch and pack the garbage out. No dirty dishes!

Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol increases blood flow and cools your core temperature; caffeine restricts blood flow and cools your extremities.

Tip: To stay warmer, don't stop for long lunches where you cool down and then need to put on more layers. Instead, take short breaks to snack on food, or simply nibble while you're moving.

Cold-weather Health Concerns

Hypothermia

This is the body's temperature decreasing due to exposure to the cold conditions. It can be life threatening. A person can become hypothermic without even noticing it.

Symptoms:

1. Shivering.
2. Slurred speech.
3. Non-communication.
4. Lethargy.

Prevention:

1. Stay warm.
2. Stay dry.
3. Stay hydrated.
4. Eat well.

Remedies:

1. Put on dry clothing.
2. Eat and drink warm foods and fluids.
3. Put the person in a sleeping bag pre-warmed by another person—a hypothermic person doesn't have enough heat to warm the bag.
4. Put warm water in bottles and place them in the sleeping bag with the person.
5. Use another person to warm the hypothermic person.
6. In severe cases, careful evacuation to a medical facility is required.

Tip: Carry a small vacuum bottle with a hot drink or soup—it'll warm you up when you're getting cold.

Frostbite

This happens in cold-weather conditions. Frostbite is a freezing of the tissues usually on the fingers, toes, nose or face. It is a result of heat being lost faster than the blood can circulate. In severe cases, appendages may have to be amputated.

Tip: Use chemical heat packs to help stay warm and to avoid getting frostbite.

Symptoms:

1. Numbness to an area.
2. Loss of sensitivity to touch.
3. Tingling that feels like burning.
4. Shivering.
5. Skin appears red and then white-to-purple.

Prevention:

1. Don't put yourself in that position. You don't have to reach a summit, your health and well-being are more important.
2. Be aware of your body signals.
3. Stay warm and dry.

Remedies:

1. Place the cold/frostbitten appendages against warm skin, such as your feet against a companion's stomach or armpits, or your fingers in your own armpits.
2. Use warm water—99ºF to 104ºF—on the afflicted area.
3. Do not use fire to thaw area—speedy relief can increase the injury.
4. Do not rub because the abrasive action could damage tissue more.
5. Evacuate to a medical facility.

Dehydration

Even when the temperature is low, you can still get dehydrated and that's not good for your kidneys, heart or brain. So drink plenty of water—even if you're not thirsty. Drink before you become thirsty.

Tip: Keep the fluids flowing in freezing weather with an insulated reservoir and tubing. In extreme cold, leave the reservoir at home and use a water bottle cover for your bottle. Turn the bottle upside down. (Water freezes from the top down, so by turning it right-side up you'll be able to unscrew the cap and drink.)

A good way to determine if you're drinking enough is to check the color of your urine. If it's dark, you are dehydrated. If it's pale in color, you're doing a good job hydrating!

Other symptoms of dehydration in extreme temperatures:

1. Increased heart rate.
2. Dry mouth.
3. Dizziness.
4. Muscle cramps.
5. Confusion.
6. Weakness.

For treating water:

1. Water filters do not work in sub-freezing weather—the filter and seals freeze.
2. Chemical water treatments take longer to work in cold water, so allow extra time. Keep in mind that iodine is not effective against cryptosporidium and should not be used; sodium chloride is effective but requires about 4 hours contact time.
3. Melting snow is a good option. Putting a little bit of water in the pot with the snow will help it melt faster.
4. Portable UV light systems offer another effective option.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a result of being in a low air pressure at a high altitude. Symptoms include nausea, severe headache, dizziness, insomnia, shortness of breath, lethargy, body ache and not wanting to eat. The remedy: Descend to a lower elevation for a few days.

Tip: Make a camp base and acclimatize for a few days before climbing higher. One strategy—don't ascend more than 1,000' a day.

Sanitation in the Snow

As with any backcountry trip, you should always practice good hygiene habits.

1. Camp at least 200' from a trail, water sources and other campers.
2. Pack out toilet paper. A plastic zipper-style bag works great for this.
3. At lower elevations, you can dig a hole in the dirt about 8" deep, bury feces and put a rock on top to deter animals from digging it up.

Snow camping requires extra steps to be taken with your body wastes. You should always bag your waste using sanitary kits. These often include bag neutralizer (to reduce odors and turn the waste into a gel for easier transport) and a hand sanitizer.