Winter Hiking

“I'm with Gremlin on this. I carry all my winter gear in a 4,500 ci pack. I have never used a sled. though I have been know to stow extra gear on a passer bys sled from time to time. Today I wear a lot less clothing while hiking than I use to. When I am winter hiking I wear a thermal layer underneath and my NF bibs and Alpinist jacket as my shell, thats it. Both have full zips for plenty of ventilation when I need to let heat out and they do a good job of keeping the heat in when they are shut, all day long I can keep myself very comfy warm, dry and not overheated by just adjusting the zippers. The jacket has 2 inside pockets up by my chest and that is were I carry my water so it doesn't freeze. I try not to stop for long periods when hiking so I don't cool down to much and need to add clothing. When I do stop at camp I quickly change into camp clothing that is dry, lots of fleece. The only thing that has changed for me in the last year is that I use 2 sleeping bags now. between them they add up to 4lbs, but have kept me way toasty on the coldest nights, I figure a good -20 bag weighs in that much anyway so what the heck. It is really nice because the outside bag is snyth and the inside bag is down. again I can easily regulate my temp by adjusting zippers. I realize they make bags with these atributes but I didn't have to spend 4-500 dollars to come up with the system.

Atlas snow shoes...can't beat the customer service. AS many know I had a problem last year and they relaced the bindings on both shoes for nothing.”

“I need to get a pair of Crampons. I found these at Campmor and wanted to know if they are worth buying.

href="http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=27066670&prmenbr=226">Climb High/Austri Alpin CH-10 Crampon ”

“Climb
High/Austri Alpin CH-10 Crampon
”

“Yes, these will work for you until you are ready for Denali.

Strap on binding will fit most boots, a more rigid boot is better.
Steel points will not wear out like aluminium. These will do fine”

“Thanks”

“In the colder(est) months I use a double bag system...wiggy's 0degree on the outside and my lafuma 45 degree down bag inside. This kept me toasty and warm all through the Pa blizzard last Feb. on my AT snowshoe hike.

I now do polypro's as base layer, with my regular nylon hiking pants as top layer and a variety of nylon t-shirts (short or long depending on temps) and a fleece top with zips. Once reaching camp, I get my water boiling and start settin up the tent, then change into warm fleece pants and heavier tops, fleece hat, gloves if necessary, dry double layer socks and my thermolight booties.”

“I have to disagree concerning down bags. They are the best, and worth the investment. When I talk about down bags, I make a depression in my bag, and pour about 2 cups of water in it, then keep talking. After about 30 minutes, I pour it off, and the fabric is not even damp. The loft is so much better than synthetic, and the stuffability and weight are way better. Its just more expensive, the only downside.”

“Ahhhhhhhh………winter.

I don't like hot and humid.”

“i'm already looking forward to winter trips :))”

“you guys are nuts...summer rocks...i'll take sweaty ball over frozen ones anyday”

“While white gas is known for outperforming canister stoves in freezing conditions, I have found the Coleman Xpert stove (with the powermax fuel) to work in the coldest that eastern PA has to offer. If you are into providing a little extra light for you and your companions you can opt to carry the Xcursion lantern, which is a nice comfort feature if you don't go to bed by nightfall.”

“I like winter hikes better too. At least cooler seasons. Half the time, I don't even wear a coat hiking in winter, that is until I stop for a break. I really don't like hikes in the heat of summer. Short ones OK or better yet, canoe trips.”

“I miss snow.”

“I like hiking in the winter too, but hate all the extra #&%!$ you have to carry.”

“Snow good

119° bad”

“Si!”

“FYAO!!!!!! Will there be another?”

“Where's Amy G (for godess) when we need her?”

“After sweating my ass of this past weekend, I'm ready for some winter weather. 85*F and 90% humidity is too hot for me.”

“i'll take 95* and 95% humidity over 20* and snow any day...cold weather sucks and so does darkness at 5:00pm...plus, summer packs =15lbs...winter packs=35+lbs
last edited: 7/17/06 10:07:59 AM”

“snow is awesome!”

“Summer is canoe season.”

“What thrifty said...”

“I'm heading to the great Hoosier state this weekend for some fishpacking and so far the 10 day forcast is saying highs 81-86. Very torlerable when you're soaking your ass in the lake fishing.”

“I'll agree with the statement that darkness at 5pm sucks, but I'd rather it be 0* than 90*. I can dress for 0*, 90* the best I can do is stand around naked and I still sweat.”

“Whut Zac said!!

Cold weather motivates me to move ass or freeze it!

And please, we don't wanna see Zac standing around naked and sweating........or even just naked!!”

“What lumberzac said.”

“What conk said.”

“Anyone want to see the pictures from my hike last weekend? ;-)”

“what i said

hey nigal, where ya goin?”

“Who said what?”

“Doin' Da Deam! My buddy Larry and I went there this same time last year and I nearly killed myself with heat stroke. Hanging out on the shore all day with nothing but bike shorts on. I still have the tan lines on my legs a year later.”

“last time i was there the water i treated had a nice gasoline tinge to it”

“No naked picture, please!”