So I have done some "winter camping" which has consisted of uncomfortable nights with the wrong type of gear on ice climbing trips, but now I am looking to gear up and start doing some serious winter camping in the BWCA and SHT. I have been going stir crazy in the winters since I started Ice Climbing less and by spring I am dying to get out into the wilderness. Issue is I cannot find a solid gear list that I have liked on any site. Most gear lists often have way too much stuff I have noticed. If any of you could give me a good list or a place to find one that would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of things that you may need to know for the style of winter camping I am hoping to do:
-Most likely will do a floorless shelter or hammock. (Will not hot tent it)
-Would like to keep it as light as possible. I plan on doing trips where I will be moving daily. Such as hiking/snowshoeing the sioux hustler or powwow trail.
-Mukluks or Pac boots? I have read up on both but have no idea which way to go.

Get to the MM Expo and watch Bear's presentation (if he still does it.)

I use Pac boots because I don't have and can't afford Mukluks at this time.

Winter/Snow Camping Checklist

The Ten Essentials (for safety, survival and basic comfort.)
1. Navigation
Map (with protective case)
Compass
GPS (optional)
2. Sun protection
Sunscreen and lip balm
Sunglasses
3. Insulation
Jacket, vest, pants, gloves, hat (see Clothing)
4. Illumination
Headlamp or flashlight
Extra batteries (Lithium)
5. First-aid supplies
First-aid kit (see First-aid checklist)
6. Fire
Matches or lighter
Waterproof container
Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)
7. Repair kit and tools
Knife or multi-tool
Duct tape strips; repair items as needed
8. Nutrition
Extra day’s supply of food
9. Hydration
Water bottles or hydration system (insulated)
Water treatment system
10. Emergency shelter
Tent, tarp, bivy or reflective blanket

Beyond the Ten Essentials;
Backpack / Day pack / sled
4-season tent, or tarp or bivy sack
Snow or tent stakes and guylines
Tent-pole repair sleeve
Footprint (if needed for tent)
Sleeping bag (liner optional)
Stuff sack or compression sack
2 sleeping pads per person (+ optional chair kit)
Pillow or stuffable pillow case
Packable lantern
Snowshoes / skis
Crampons / Ice cleats
Trekking poles (w/snow baskets)
Signaling mirror (often on compass)
Whistle
Snow shovel

Meals;
Energy food (bars, gels, chews, trail mix)
Energy beverages or drink mixes
Stove & Fuel
Large pot (for melting snow)
Bowl, Utensils, and Cup
Pot grabber
Food-storage sacks or canister
liter Nalgene bottle (2)
Water Bottle Parka (each)
50-foot nylon cord
Backup water treatment (e.g., halogens)

Clothing;
Base layer: wicking underwear
Mid layer: insulating jacket/vest/pants
Shell: Rain jacket (or soft shell)
Rain pants (or soft-shell pants)
Dry clothing for camp
Insulating hat, cap or headband Balaclava and/or face mask
Goggles
Gloves and/or mittens
Waterproof overmitts

Footwear;
Boots (Mukluks or Pac boots)
Main socks, liner socks, spare socks
Gaiters
Camp booties

Assorted personal options;
Bandanna or buff
Toilet paper and wet wipes
Hand sanitizer + quick-dry towel
Toothbrush and/or toiletry kit
Notebook and pen or pencil
Guidebook; interpretive field guide(s)
Camera
Binoculars
Two-way radios
Cell or satellite phone

Trip itinerary left w/friend + under car seat

Very Helpful Doughboy! What kind of jacket do you use I have been looking at some of the winter expedition types from canada goose and fjallraven but are those overkill?

Matt, you will find a lot of useful information at Wintertrekking.com. People use different gear for winter travel (wool or synthetic insulation) as down can get overly hot when exerting yourself. I'm not saying you have to give up the down coat for when you stop for the night but lots of people use layers of wool covered by a cotton shell.


winter

If you are moving and cold tenting, then in my opinion, the most important thing is to stay dry during your daily travels. This means no sweating. Always be a bit cool. Use a layered jacket system. Breathable cotton or wool as an outer shell might be better than an outer shell than the run of the mill gore-tex ski shells.

You also want to keep your boots as dry as possible. Covering the tops of your boots with snowpants (rainpants are better - layering) is good. Using snowshoes - even small ones - to help keep your boots snow-free is good. I use lightweight compact Soloman low cut boots good to -20F and snowshoes, and cross country skis.

If you travel above about 10F, you can get by with just a big backpack for a couple days. Otherwise, you'll need a sled. A good sled to start with is the "Paris Expedition" sled, which True Value hardware sells and will ship to store for free. About $40.

So my starter list:

- Breathable oversized shell suitable for layering
- snowpants or rainpants or gaiters
- snowshoes
- boots that will fit your snowshoes
- Paris expedition sled
- hiking poles or cross country ski poles

For sleeping, last year I used a tarp/floorless tent (BD Megalight), a thermarest xtherm sleeping pad, and a 15 degree bag (I went when it was warm). I also have a -20F bag. A hammock setup is more complicated.

Beyond that your gear list is not grossly different than a late fall camping gear list.

You'll find another gear list on Lure of the North website. They have a certain style they prefer, but it's another good place to get ideas.

As for the jacket, I'm one who does like to have a puffy down jacket along, but I usually end up not using it much now that I hot tent. 95% of the time I'm in my fleece or anorak, but for trail breaks or first thing in the morning it's still helpful. Since you mentioned ice climbing, you might consider looking at some of the belay jackets with their higher cut for harnesses and oversized hoods for helmets. There are often some great last season deals out there, which then leaves more for a good anorak or mukluks.

Lastly, check out the thread on the symposium. That would be a great way to learn a ton fast.

quote Thisismatthew: "Very Helpful Doughboy! What kind of jacket do you use I have been looking at some of the winter expedition types from canada goose and fjallraven but are those overkill?"

The others covered jackets fairly well...layers.
The poofy down jacket is good for sitting around camp while making hot water...not much else. Take it if you have space, but I don't even own one.

My gear list for winter is no different than fall or spring, except more layers to compensate for the colder weather and leave the water filter behind. it's kinda like the difference between summer and fall/spring, change your packing for the difference in weather

quote ZaraSp00k: "My gear list for winter is no different than fall or spring, except more layers to compensate for the colder weather and leave the water filter behind. it's kinda like the difference between summer and fall/spring, change your packing for the difference in weather"

Thanks for all the information. This community is just a wealth of knowledge!

I see the OP lives in Minnesota. Check out the Winter Camping Symposium if you get a chance. It's coming up later in October.

keep in mind there is a huge difference between people, what they mean by winter camping, some are ice fishing, some are skiing, some are snow shoeing, some are hiking, some are dog sledding

there really isn't any need to pack more beyond more layers when winter camping unless some other activity dictates, my biggest problem is overheating, trudging through the snow is a lot more work than walking on bare ground, even if it is 60-110 degrees colder than summer

quote awbrown: "I see the OP lives in Minnesota. Check out the Winter Camping Symposium if you get a chance. It's coming up later in October."

I am going to try to make this.

Look for flying meese and introduce yourself! Maybe we'll see you there!
Rich aka tg

Couldn't sleep...ended up here. Saw Jaywalker's link to "Lure of the North". Wow is that a cool website.