The Golden Rules of Winter Backpacking

Winter Backpacking can be one of the greatest outdoor experiences you'll ever have. But if you're not prepared, it can be memorable for the wrong reasons! In this episode, we look at the Golden Rules of Winter Backpacking, which will help you stay warm, comfortable, happy and healthy during your winter backpacking experience.

My favorite gear for backpacking:

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[batwithglasses]

We always heat up water for our Nalgenes and then keep them between our legs against the femoral arteries and we are toasty warm all night and we have fresh water in the morning and not a Nalgene-sicle.

[Walksuphill]

The reverse tube blow is a great tip ! Even the insulated tube's freeze up

[WoodyXRay]

I try not to wear my down jacket when I'm hiking or cross-country skiing because I will get too hot and sweat. I save it for when I stop and I have it in my pack where I can get it quickly to put on and stay warm when I stop moving.

[emeline]

Great video! Some additional tips: do not breath inside your sleeping bag, you can add about 10 °C to your sleeping bag by using a fleece liner inside and wear loose fitting shoes and clothes so air can be trapped between the layers.

[doms.]

I like to do sit-ups in my sleeping bag right before bed to create and trap heat.

Not the best advice: but if you have a 30° bag but not the money for a dedicated winter bag, then you can buy a inexpensive 55° and use it as a liner in your 30°. I've used that system and stay warm even when it has been 10° out.

[jonsorensen]

RULE #1 TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN YOU WILL BE BACK.
Why do so many channels and articles miss this important rule?
Great vid though.

[yogman]

Keep up the fantastic work, I love watching these videos! I'm super pumped to go winter camping now!

[orangeziggy]

The first golden rule is to have a minimum of $10, 000 to spend on your stuff.

[thebeardedgorilla]

Awesome advice. I like that coat. Looks vintage with those colors

[chirsbom]

You should look into netting base layer. Nothing beats its combination of warmth, quickness to dry and breathability.

[hughkelly]

another good tip for keeping your water from freezing is turning the bottle upside down. Water will usually freeze where it is exposed to air first.

[BackcountryTreks]

Good tips👍 one I feel is very important and sometimes overlooked is knowing the weather forecast specific to your location and elevation. Obviously conditions and weather can drastically change as you gain elevation so it’s important to be aware of the specifics the best you can.

[jamesbrooks]

Boil water before you go to bed put it in your Nalgene put it in the sleeping bag with you. It will keep you warm through the night and you will wake up in the morning with not frozen water.

[gdude]

This advice cannot be overstated. Fuel your body. Don't allow yourself to get too wet, cold, hungry, or worst of all, hypothermic. In just a few minutes, you can go from being mildly uncomfortable to being completely disorientated, weak, and suddenly fatigued. It is crucial to stay ahead of the game and take care of yourself like he says.

[Morpheus]

I never cease to be amazed by how many people use the Klymit Insulated sleeping pad. It has almost NO R-value. I mean, maybe 0.75, but even a foam mat has an R-value around 2. The Klymit is cheap, but for the R-value it provides, you'd be better off with a foam mat - it's cheaper and provides you with more insulation from the ground. There are a LOT of better pads than that. You seem like you're really experienced, so it leaves me in a WTH state of mind! lol

[RichardEnglander]

I spent 2 winters in the French Alps, I learned to put my gloves inside my jacket because in just minutes they froze up, not nice.
Especially when on a chair lift, don't drop them 😂

[BohemianAdventurers]

Somehow just managed to find this channel. I am looking forward to browsing your videos and see what else you have out there for me—this video had some great info. As a Minnesotan, I can attest to these Golden Rules! I am looking forward to more content—Love building up my knowledge base and virtual community!

[maxviking]

Really great video! You covered a lot of very good tips for winter hiking! Well that said I can’t help myself to add a few things.. you might have said some of them, and if thats so I apologise .. and they apply both for the camping part and transport.
First I thought about is checking the weather and not only in the air but also on the ground.. snow condition and weather changes can be a big issue, if you feel insecure.. make sure you already scouted other possibilities like some nearby cabin or so. Second is that if you plan to hike in the winter the estimated time to get between different camp-sites can vary a lot depending on the weather. Don’t be tempted trying to travel longer distances just because you are on skies and faster. Third is check your equipment before you leave, and train to use it at home first so you are able to put it up in darkness or in heavy snowstorms.. if you can’t do it in good conditions or if you find something is broken.. thats a terrible situation in the winter. Last thing.. easy one but most people do that misstake.. never ever leave anything on anytime on the ground. In the snow it is so easy that its lost and if the weather changes.. well you get it.. always but everything on you or in your bag.. like when you put up your tent.. no poles sticks bags or anything on the ground. 💪🏻

[yuriklaver]

Wide ski's. Perfect. Down can be risky however. Great vid!

[wanderfux]

Great video! thx for sharing your experience. I am a big fan of merino wool for all my layers, summer or winter. Keeps you warm as hell and dries out faster than anything else. As a big bonus it nearly never starts to smell bad compared to all those synthetic fibers – highly recommended to try:)