Winter Camping and Hiking Checklist
Packing for warmth means building in layers
Winter camping poses issues that summer camping doesn't. While you won't be coping with mosquitoes, you'll need to withstand the cold and be prepared to survive extreme temperatures.
Before Heading into the Snow
- Make sure all electronic devices are fully charged
- Leave your itinerary with family, friends or park officials
- Get local weather forecasts for the period you plan to camp / hike
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Emergency Gear
- First aid kit (See First Aid Checklist for details)
- Whistle
- Cell phone or PDA
- Needle and thread
- Duct tape
- Safety pins
- Repair / sewing kit
- Heat packs
Trail Gear
- Backpack / expedition pack
- Day pack (if required)
- Map(s)
- Compass and optional GPS device
- Swiss army knife or multi-purpose tool
- Extra food and water
- Extra clothing (extra layers for warmth and dryness)
Camping Gear
- Food storage device
- Flashlight or headlamp (extra batteries)
- Matches (stormproof or in waterproof container)
- Fire starter
- Water purifier / filter
- Water purification tablets (to purify drinking water made from melted snow)
- Four-season tent (or another four-season shelter)
- Tent stakes (should be capable of anchoring tent in snow--snow stakes)
- Rain fly for tent
- Ground sheet
- Sleeping bag (rated for cold temperatures)
- Waterproof stuff sack or compression sack
- Sleeping pad (will help retain heat)
- Cookware, dishes and utensils (large pot for melting snow)
- Dish towel and washcloth
- Shovel
- Plastic garbage bags
- Water purification tablets (in addition to water purifier / filter)
- Water bottle(s)
- Cooking stove and fuel
- Lantern
- Snow saw
- Cross-country skis, poles, boots (where applicable)
- Biodegradable soap (for cleaning cookware, dishes, and utensils)
- Ice axe and crampons (where applicable)
- Avalanche transceiver
Clothing and Footwear
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Pants (fleece or wool)
- Fleece or wool vest
- Long-sleeved shirt(s)
- Sweater (fleece or wool)
- Regular underwear
- Long underwear
- Snow goggles
- Raingear (coat / pants)
- Warm coat (parka)
- Gloves (extra pair in case one gets wet)
- Warm hat (fleece or wool)
- Snow pants
- Face mask
- Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes (insulated and water resistant)
- Extra socks
- Extra laces
- Hiking stick / pole
- Snow shoes
- Repair / sewing kit
Personal Effects
Along with the toiletries and personal items you would normally need, don't forget:
- Sunscreen (SPF 30)
- Lip balm (SPF 30)
Techno Gear
- Camera / video camera (extra film or memory cards)
- Extra batteries
- Binoculars
- Altimeter
- Radio
