Getting
Started
Please read this first
The best place to start
is with an assumption that you have at least a small amount of
Backpacking experience. To start your backpacking career in the
winter might be asking an awful lot of yourself. I will presume
that you are comfortable around backpacks, sleeping bags, boots,
stoves, and tents. We will discuss these items in detail in other
sections.
What's different about camping in the snow? That will depend on
where you live and how severe your winters are. I live in Northern
California near the coast where it doesn't snow at all so all
my snow camping is intentional and requires several hours drive
to get there. If you live in the Northern latitudes, you might
suddenly find yourself snow camping in the middle of the summer
and will want to be prepared for it year round.
The main differences between summer and snow camping:
- Of course since there is snow
covering everything, objects look very different and routefinding
is harder. The trails are under a layer of snow so unless
they are marked in the trees, you must navigate cross country.
- The weather is more dramatic and
can change quickly so you need to be observant and ready to
change plans.
- You require more food, fuel, and
warmer clothing which makes your pack heavier.
- The snow doesn't support your
weight like the ground does and you need skis or snowshoes
to float you on top of it.
- Since snow comes in many consistancies
and types, travel speed can vary greatly. Your speed can go
from miles per hour to yards per hour in a short period of
time. Fresh, deep snow can slow you down to a crawl.
- Did I mention......... It's cold.
The first thing that you should do before starting out is what
you are doing right now, educating yourself. Learn about possible
hazards and special needs. Next, you need to be fit physically.
It takes a lot of energy to stay warm in the snow and you won't
have a toasty fire to warm up by if you overexert. Hypothermia
is a constant concern and a person who is fit is better equipped
to withstand its effects. Once you have the right knowledge, equipment,
and are physically prepared, you will need to find out about the
conditions where you are going. This is best accomplished by contacting
local Outfitters, Guides, and Rangers (often these professions
overlap). The people who are in the backcountry are your best
source of weather, avalanche, and other information and are usually
more than willing to share their knowledge.
Finally I recommend that you hook up with someone who has camped
in winter conditions before and go on a trip with them. Better
to learn from anothers mistakes than your own. As my gramdpa always
used to tell me, "Experience is what you get when you don't get
what you expected!"
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