The Essentials of Snow Camping
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Unless you’re an Ice climber or an Arctic explorer, it’s not likely you travel the back country in search of cold, misery and pain. Despite the rough and frigid sound of the of the words "snow camping," it’s quite possible to have a warm, enjoyable trip in the snowy woods. With some basic camping skills, some common sense and a few essentials, snow camping can be fun and even (dare we say?) luxurious.Stuffing the following items into your (or better yet your partners’) pack could help make the difference between an epic, howling Arctic hell or an idyllic jaunt in a winter wonderland:
Map and Compass
Not only essential for locating the beer you buried at the trailhead, a map and compass are quite useful for finding your intended route. A foot or two of snow can render a previously familiar landscape unrecognizable. In the event of the infamous white-outan integral component of any good snow camping yarnthe possession of a map and compass and the ability to use them will make the difference between following the right ridge back to camp or following the wrong ridge to......?
Sun Protection
The landscape is dazzling white, the sky is unbelievably blue. You can hardly believe it’s winter and you are sorely tempted to strip down to your snowshoes for a romp through the powder. What could possibly go wrong with Ol’ Mr. Sol casting his benign gaze on this snowy Riviera? Well, let’s see, how about heat exhaustion, snow blindness, sunstroke and second degree burns? Remember, those seemingly innocuous rays are reflected and magnified by countless snow crystals, and will sear you in places you never did expect; under your arms, under your stubbled chin, your lips, nostrils, the part in your hair. Wear a hat. Wear long sleeves and long pants. Save the bikini for the tanning salon, surfer girl. Wear good quality goggles or sunglasses, preferably glacier glasses with side shields. Those six dollar jobs off the rack at the mini-mart won’t cut it in the snow. Those rays will just as happily roast your eyeballs as your epidermis. Wear protection.
Proper Clothing
Every expert has his own foolproof system and no two are exactly alike. The basics are: base layer (that’s underwear), insulating layer (that’s warm pants and jacket), and shell layer (that’s waterproof, windproof protection worn over the insulating layer). Consult the experts about the numerous layering systems available and remember that every individual has different needs. A strapping, six-foot, corn fed football hero will have different clothing requirements than an elegantly waif-like, six-foot super model. Test your layering system before you find yourself knee deep in slush, watching Mr. Sol disappear over the horizon. Paying special attention to keeping the hands, feet and head warm and dry will add immeasurably to your comfort level. A top quality hat, gloves, and socks are absolute necessities. One thing the experts do all agree upon is that cotton kills. Wet cotton clothing will suck the life out of you faster than a B-movie vampire. The only piece of cotton in the savvy snow campers’ pack is a...
Bandana
No peg-legged pirate worth his salt ever ambled onto a rolling deck without one, and no snow camper should venture forth without a bandana. Great for covering a balding pate or a reddening neck. Excellent as a washcloth, a coffee filter, to strain the pasta du jour or to dab a beaded brow. Color is strictly a fashion choice, unless you’re in gang territory, but dark colors dry faster in the sun. Truly multifunctional, the bandana has unlimited uses; a flag for conquered summits, a head band, a pot holder, a tourniquet, a gag for that partner who won’t shut up. And, incidentally, a bandana also makes a great handkerchief.
Head Lamp
Depending on how loudly your tent mate snores, it may be better to have a good steel flashlight to poke him with, but in general setting up camp in sub-zero darkness is much easier with a head lamp. A good head lamp allows for dexterity and it makes a great reading lamp during those long winter nights. Cold temperatures reduce battery life, so make sure batteries are fresh before leaving home. Always carry an extra battery and a spare bulb.
A Good Book
This is not just a necessary item; bringing one is imperative. Don’t get stuck reading energy bar wrappers or stove maintenance instructions on day three of a forced bivouac. Winter nights go on and on, and nights spent in snow caves can seem eternal. There’s nothing like a good book to relieve the tedium of a long night, a long storm, or a long line of cars on the way to the trail. Use common sense here. You do have to carry this. Weight considerations aside, one probably doesn’t want to read "Alive", or "Dinner with the Donner Party" during a lengthy blizzard.
Food
Eat as much as you can carry. Do not skimp on food. Buck up and carry more than you think you need. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough food to eat very well for the duration of your trip. This should be enough to ration out for twice the duration of the trip should it be unexpectedly extended by bad weather (or supremely good snow). Snow camping and wheat- grass juice fasts are a bad combination. Food is the fuel that keeps the body producing heat in the snowy back country.
Stove & Fuel
Just as you bring extra food to keep the internal fires stoked, bring extra fuel to keep the stove fired. Staying hydrated is part of the equation for staying warm. Not only will you need to cook gourmet meals and brew copious hot drinks, you’ll also need to melt snow for water. Even for the most powerful stove, converting snow into water is a slow process. Be familiar with the operation of your stove and be
sure to boil all water for at least three minutes. If camping at known waste dumps like Mt. Shasta’s Helen Lake, boil water at least five minutes and consider filtering or purifying also. The expression, "pure as the driven snow" can be misleading.
Shovel
Snow camping without a shovel is like being up a creek without a paddle. Get a good one. You will become intimately acquainted with it. A shovel is needed to assess avalanche conditions, level a tent platform, dig a snow cave, dig a latrine, dig for clean snow to melt for water or to put the finishing touches on that deluxe kitchen area, complete with benches, alcoves and stairs. A shovel is also far superior to a pot or a spoon when the trip is done and it’s time to dig the car out of the parking lot.
Sleep System
Whether you choose to dig a snow cave, build an igloo, or use a state-of-the-art, four season tent, the bivouac- the actual sleeping part of snow camping- will make or break your trip. Shivering until dawn in a puddle of nylon and feathers is no one’s idea of a good time. Be self-sufficient. Be practical. Leave your romantic, Londonesque, sourdough notions at home with the cotton clothing and the ten pound plaid-print flannel lined sleeping bag. Bring a good quality down or synthetic fiber-filled bag rated for winter temps (at least 0°) to keep you warm, a good quality insulating pad, either closed cell foam or self inflating- it’s worth the weight to carry both- and a waterproof/breathable bivy sack to keep the whole works dry. Again, don’t skimp here. A bad nights’ sleep in summer is merely annoying. A bad bivouac in winter conditions can quickly ruin a trip and be potentially life threatening.
Duct Tape
Duct tape, even more versatile than a bandana, is, truly the greatest thing since sliced bread. A little clumsy with your crampons? Duct tape easily repairs ripped tent floors, rent clothing or punctured sleeping pads. Fancy new boots wearing a hole in your heel? Slap some tape on that hot spot, and slog on, snow camper! Wrap a few yards around a ski pole, a water bottle, an ice axe or a shovel handle. Duct tape is cheap, lightweight insurance. Don’t leave home without it. Period. Ever.
With the right equipment, skills and attitude, snow camping can be a pleasant, refreshing alternative to a winter of jigsaw puzzles and bad television. Start sensibly, with a short trip to a familiar destination. Know your limits and gradually extend them as your skill and experience grows. You don’t have to go solo to the North pole this season. But do go out, have fun and enjoy the back country in its winter coat. Happy snow camping! |
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