Winter Day Hike Equipment List

Intended for hiking on well-traveled trails in moderate winter weather. 

DISCLAIMER:  This page intended as a convenience to friends of mine
who will be accompanied by me, and NOT as a guide to winter hiking.
All hiking is risky, but winter hiking is especially risky.
For example, there was a fatality (from exposure) on March 20th, 2004, 
on Mt. Lafayette - a Class 1 hike, a mere 5260 feet high, and only four miles 
from the trailhead.

0.  Map and compass.

1.  Snowshoes - available for rent from REI.
	There's an REI at Landmark Center, near fenway.  Call them (find the number from 
       rei.com) and make sure that a) they rent snowshoes and b) they'll have some available.
      There's another REI in Reading, which is on our way north, which I know rents shoes. 
      But if you can rent from Boston, it's more convenient (you can pick them up the night 
      before, and we won't have to stop in the morning).
	Make sure you tell them your weight, and that we'll be going uphill.  There are 
      different kinds of snowshoes.  You want the smallest ones that will support your 
       weight (plus clothes and backpack, so add twenty pounds to be safe), let your heel 
       come up [otherwise it's impossible to walk uphill], and have metal crampons built-in 
      [so you won't slip on icy patches or on hills].   Some snowshoes have snap-in bindings 
      and require specialized shoes, but assuming you own a good pair of boots, you want 
      showshoes with strap bindings that will fit any boot. [New shoes + long hike = blisters]

2. Ski poles 
	To help you stay balanced in your snowshoes, especially going uphill.  
      REI will probably rent you some with the snowshoes.  I may also have a couple of extra 
      ones.

3. Flashlight.
	The sun goes down early in winter, so we'll probably be out after dark.  Bring the 
      smallest, lightest flashlight you can find.  If you don't mind spending some cash 
      while you're in REI, get a headlamp (get one of those LED ones like the Petzl Tikka 
      or the Moonbeam - they're small, lightweight, and bright).
 	Bring extra batteries - the cold can wear them out quickly.

4.  Water.
	Believe it or not, you'll probably work up a sweat.  So bring a little to drink.  
      One liter is probably enough.  Find a comfortable way to carry it inside your jacket 
      (ie, on a shoulder strap) or it'll freeze.  (Or you can try to keep it well-insulated 
      deep inside your backpack.)

5.  Food.
   We probably won't want to sit still for a picnic.  Bring granola bars and other stuff you 
    can eat while walking (at least 1000 kilocalories, preferably 1500 or 2000).  Be sure 
    you will be able to chew it once it's frozen.  (I break my Clif bars lengthwise inside 
    the wrapper before I start the hike.)  Also make sure your containers are easy to open -
    if it's really cold, you won't want to take your gloves off.

6.  Extra warmth.
	Chemical hand-warming packs, a tiny [plastic] bottle of rhum, anything you can think 
      of that'll give you extra warmth or confidence.

7.  Survival blanket.
     Stores like REI sell blankets or bags made of aluminum foil, which fold up to the size 
     of a couple of matchboxes.  If you're injured or stranded, one of these can keep you 
     alive.  


8. Clothing
	The biggest danger is exposure to wind.  Make sure your clothing doesn't leave any 
      skin exposed - you should be able to cover the tip of your nose, and even the skin 
      around your eyes, if it gets windy.  (Bring ski goggles and a ski mask.  A scarf is
      not as good because it can come loose in the wind, but it's better than nothing).   
      Make sure you have a jacket, pants, and hood that are completely windproof.  
	The second biggest danger is getting wet - or staying wet once you start sweating.  
       Dress in layers that you can easily remove and quickly put back on.  The more zippers,
      the better.  DO NOT WEAR COTTON.  Everything should be wool or artificial fibers 
      (brief underwear is OK).

   	Here's a head-to-toe checklist:
	
   Head:
	a.  Hat.  Warm, preferably wind-resistant, covers your ears. 
	b.  Windproof hood.  The only way to keep your head warm in high wind, even though 
          it'll interfere with hearing and vision.
	c.  Ski mask:  Something to cover your face in the wind.
	d.  Ski goggles:  Just in case the wind gets really bad, or the snow blows into your 
          eyes.
	e.  Sunglasses - for glare off the snow

   Neck and chin:
	Be sure you can cover it.  A neck warmer (eg, Turtle Fur brand) is a great way to add
      extra warmth without taking up much space.  

  Torso:
	The key here is layers.  It's nice to be able to remove the windproof layer 
       (otherwise you'll sweat too much) while still having enough insulation to keep warm. 
       A ski jacket with a removable fleece lining is perfect for parts c. and d. below.  
       A  down jacket could also serve as both c. and d.  but you may have trouble keeping 
       comfortable - down jackets don't "breathe" well.  
	a.  "base layer":  Close-fitting, long-sleeved, nylon shirt (wool is just too scratchy).
	b.  light fleece (or light sweater):  You'll probably strip down to this once you're 
          warmed up, and until it gets windy.
	c.  Heavy fleece:  Goes over the light fleece.
	d.  Waterproof (&windproof) shell:  Goes over the heavy fleece.
  
	I get cold very easily, so I sometimes bring a third fleece layer.  (If I start to get 
        sweaty, I can easily remove it.)  

 Hands:
	a.  Thin, light, breathable gloves add warmth, don't interfere much with your use of 
        your hands, & don't take much space, but won't keep your hands warm if the weather 
        gets really nasty.
	b.  Heavy, thick mittens will protect you from frostbite in severe cold - but will 
         fill up with sweat & become useless when you exert yourself.  
	Bring both kinds if you can - you may never wear the heavy mittens but then again 
       you might really wish for them.
	Ideally (but expensively), get waterproof "overgloves" that go over the light gloves.
 
  Legs:
	Layers again:
	a.  Nylon pants:  light, quick-drying, and breathable.
	b.  Fleece pants: for warmth.
	c.  Windproof pants.  These are sold as "rain pants" at places like REI.

	Ski pants can serve as both b. and c.
	Note that it's a royal pain to add or remove layers on your legs once you're out in 
      the snow (and wearing boots and snowshoes), so it's best to have big zippered vents 
      on your outer layer.

  Ankles:
	(optional) a.  Gaiters.  These are bits of cloth you strap over your ankles to help 
        keep the snow out of your boots.  It's rare to encounter much deep snow on the trails,
	  so we probably won't need these.  

  Feet:
	a.  Heavy wool socks: preferably that go up to the knee.  Consider wearing two pairs 
        of socks (if you can fit into your boots), it helps prevent blisters and provides 
        extra warmth.  again, DO NOT WEAR COTTON.
	b. Boots.  Should be comfortable, come up over the ankle, keep the snow out, and be 
        water-resistant enough to spend all day in the snow without soaking your feet or 
         falling apart.  


9.  Spare clothing to leave in the car:
	When you get back to the car, it's nice to have something dry to change into. I 
       recommend socks, a T shirt, and comfortable shoes. 

10. (optional)  A camera.  Make sure you can protect it from the snow.