1. Gear
You should begin to assemble what you think you will need as soon as possible. It takes some time and planning to assemble a good gear set.Every winter gear list begins with two words:
NO COTTON
So my discussion of gear does, too. Cotton can become a wet mess, and retains almost no heat.
Unfortunately, for some, the closet contains only cotton. Socks, underwear, t-shirts, jeans, even the sweatshirt. Getting prepared for winter camping may mean a trip to the store, but often thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets and other locales can be a source of "other than cotton clothing." If someone in your troop has limited funds, be sensitive and consider loaners as well as these sources for clothing.
We will be going through the gear you choose to bring to Okpik the night of the indoor session. Be prepared to lay it out and discuss. We will not sequester it, although for scouts this may be a good idea. Missing boots can bring an outing to a halt.
Winter clothing consists of three basic layers. Inside is the wicking layer, designed to move sweat away from the skin while retaining some warmth. Often referred to as the base layer, this layer comes in several thicknesses and is essential for comfort. Socks, long underwear, liner gloves, and a head covering all make up the typical base layer, usually made from polypropylene or some other synthetic fabric. Some of the nicest base layers are actually made from Merino wool, designed to be less "itchy" than other wools.
The next layer is warmth, and also typically ranges from head to foot. Wool is the traditional choice, although fleece and other materials (no cotton) can suffice.This layer works best when it is multi-layered and ventable - being able to unzip or unbutton, and easily remove as your heat builds during work or exercise. Items that open ALL the way down the front are preferable to those that don't.
The layers should not constrict you! I generally add a warm jacket (mine is down, but other materials work well, too.) Down does not work well when wet, but it sure is a light, compressible source of great warmth.
As you travel or build a shelter, the main concern is staying cool and avoiding a soaked base-layer, so multiple easily-removed layers of warmth work best.
The final layer is the shell, and should be waterproof and somewhat breathable. It should contain a hood, and also prevents loss of heat from wind. This layer should be large enough not to compress layers below.
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| Native Alaskan "shell" - a parka sewn from sea-mammal intestines |
Northern Tier, the authority on winter camping for Scouting, says this layer should be breathable and wind-proof, but not water-proof. I have mixed feelings on this advice. If snow turns to sleet turns to rain, I do NOT want to get wet - especially because sometimes it turns back to snow.
The worst winter camp weather is sleet. While warmer, it can make things miserable fast, and icy tree limbs break easily. Roads are dreadful. This shell layer should definitely be sleet-proof.
Gaiters fit around the ankles and protect the boots from becoming a snow-scoop, and are critical in deep snow. Integrated gaiters built into ski-pants tend to be less effective.
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| Gaiters |
I always have a supply of gloves and liner gloves, as well as outer mittens (the shell). Mittens are warmer, but clumsier. We have found that lined hazmat gloves with a rubber coating are great for shelter construction, and can be supplemented with liner gloves. If hands are prone to sweating, a light surgical glove of latex or a food service glove may help. Rubber gloves without insulation of some sort can leave fingers chilled fairly quickly.
If you wish to ski, this may dictate one pair of ski boots. I also like to have "pack boots" with a waterproof shoe, leather or synthetic uppers, and a thick felt liner that protects the inner foot. Felt insoles can add additional protection. And there is nothing finer than a pair of warm down booties in the sleeping bag!
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| 40 year old Sorel PackBoots |
Hats are essential. Fashion is optional. You should probably have several you can wear under the shell's hood and especially at night. Balaclavas with a woolen over-hat are what keeps my noggin warm. I also have a fur-lined earmuffed woolly wonder that looks absurd but does a great job.
The ultimate layer is your sleeping bag. Inside it, you will be able to retain and build heat. It will also serve well as a storage locker, with stuff sacks, for a water bottle or two as well as other clothing items you will want in the morning. I've put ski boots in that stuff sack, but the pack boots are just too big. Sleeping bags come in all sizes and shapes, but look carefully at the temperature rating. The coldest we have had to endure is -10F at one memorable Okpik. Sleeping bag liners can add greatly to comfort, and bags can be doubled up as needed, too. As your "ultimate layer" you will want your bag to be the last refuge as a long winter night sets in.
Sleeping pads are critical. Your sleeping bag compresses underneath you, and snow can chill you swiftly. You should avoid relying on one Thermarest mattress. Closed cell foam with a Thermarest on top will work well. Often, folks will line their entire tent floor with Reflectix (a shiny plastic bubble wrap available at most hardware stores) or a closed cell foam pad of some sort. This will reduce any possibility that you will slide off in the night and hit a frigid spot. These can also be used inside a snow shelter.
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| Reflectix Insulation |
We almost always bring tents to quickly set up and store gear while we build shelters. If traveling for a significant distance, tarps can substitute, assuming you plan to build some sort of snow shelter.
I have a love-hate relationship with stoves. Propane or butane tends to fail at high altitudes and/or cold temperatures. White gasoline tends to work best, although spilling it on exposed skin can create instant frostbite.
Here is some information from Scouting about scouts and stoves.
This link is to a recent review of stoves from SectionHiker. On the subject of winter cooking, it states:
"Winter stoves are designed to burn fuel at lower temperatures, usually in a liquid form. White gas stoves can burn down to external temperatures of 40 below zero, Fahrenheit, while canister stoves that can burn a liquid feed (called inverted canister stoves) can burn down to about 10 degrees, Fahrenheit. Winter stoves are designed to melt snow to create drinking water and usually lack the ability to simmer meals since they’re glorified flame throwers."
Depending on how long I am out in the wilderness, I may stick with a diet of jerky, fruits, nuts, and other foods that require no cooking. For an overnight expedition, I have even gone to Subway and ordered two foot-longs. Go easy on the peppers!
In the early morning hours, getting up to relieve one's self is a pain. A wide mouth bottle is useful for this purpose. I have been told that there are products for women, but have no experience. Amazon has some products available which may be useful.
Here is a link to the OFFICIAL Okpik Gear List.
Text Version
JumpShare GDrive
Please let me know if you have any challenges accessing it.
A “Dead Man” is any object to which one can attach a cord and bury in stomped-down snow. It is the winter tent stake. Mine were made from a thick plastic milk jug, cut into squares. Some are wood. In a pinch, a small stick will suffice.
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| Deadmen |
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| Snow shovels and hike/ski poles |
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| An Avalanche probe, useful for investigating snow cave location as well. |
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| MSR Snowshoes |
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| A snow block cutting tool - or a cookie sheet? This was made with fairly thick metal, and is quite heavy. Snow saws can also be useful - essentially a large saw you will never ever want to use to cut wood again. |
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| Italian Snowshoes from World War I |
If you have ANY questions about gear, please feel free to call (before 8 pm) or write me.
EXTRA CREDIT for the class:
Read about the adventures of O'Brady and Rudd, two athletes who sought to cross Antarctica solo, unaided, unassisted, and without resupply last year.
The New York Times has some excellent articles on their preparation and the race itself. I've attached a visual of O'Brady's gear with pulke (sled).
Update: On 12/26/18, O'Brady completed the journey with a massive push at the end. He is waiting for Rudd to finish before heading in to a hot shower. Will they have a cigar, as Rudd and his friend Col. Harry Worsley famously did on a past expedition? Stay tuned.
Update: Rudd completed the same trek in 56 days, the only person to have crossed Antarctica twice. He and O'Brady shared a food stash and should be flown out soon. No sign of cigars.
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| O'Brady and his gear |
My version of the pulke- which requires some refinement. Crossing the poles provided extra stability. I think the center of gravity was too high, causing it to flip on more than one occasion. Assuming improvements in stability, though, it allowed me to carry a load without too much knee abuse. I'll try again.
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