Snow Hike: What To Bring

Epic Snow Hike 2014 Mount Feathertop Hiking gear info! Mount Feathertop is the second-highest mountain in Victoria. It's one of the most spectacular walks in the country! However, conditions can be unpredictable and extreme. You'll need to well prepared! Here's a guide to the clothes and equipment that you'll need. If this is your first time on a serious winter hike, it might be wise to rent or borrow equipment rather than spend too much money on expensive clothes and packs. You can also get advice by window-shopping at outdoor stores. What Clothes To Bring Choosing the right clothes will help you stay comfortable and ensure you survive despite the extreme cold conditions. The key to staying comfortable on this trip is to stay DRY Dampness combined with windchill will cause your body's core temperature to fall. This can rapidly lead to HΥΡΟΤΗGRMIA! Clothes Waterproof shell jacket Your ideal shell jacket should be uninsulated, windproof, waterproof and breathable. What to look for: A size large enough to allow additional layers of clothes underneath without restricting movement A hood with a brim and drawstrings to keep out water Zippers with large, durable teeth and flaps to keep the zipper dry A length that extends below the waistline of your pants Sleeves that cover your wrists Waterproof overpants You can save money by buying a cheap pair of these at Aussie Disposals ($25). If the weather is dry, you could get away without these and just wear gaiters. More expensive overpants have full-length zippers so they can be taken on/off over boots, crampons or snowshoes. *- Middle layers Cool Beans Non-cotton top Polar fleece sweater Hiking trousers Wear a top made of non- cotton material. Polar fleece (made from polyester or polypropylene) is a great insulating layer. Wear loose fitting or stretchy trouserd for freedom of moivement. Cotton can become soaked with sweat or snow, and you can get a deep chill when stopping for a break. Less absorbent fabrics are much better. It is lightweight and keeps warm even when wet Base layers Long thermal underwear These are essential to protect you from the cold. You should wear long-sleeved, thermal tops and bottoms as your base layer. Wicking fabrics made from polypropylene or polyester are cheap and popular. Other items "If your feet are cold, put on a beanie!" Beanie / Balaclava Gloves Thick hiking socks Waterproof, insulated gloves are essential in the snow. Will help to keep your feet warm and prevent blisters You can lose a lot of heat through your head. Mittens are warmer as they allow fingers to share warmth, but unfortunately reduce dexterity. Вots A waterproof boot with a high upper is required for hiking in the snow. What to look for: High upper to support the ankle in rough terrain Vibram-type sole for traction on slippery snow/mud Waterproof lining (eg. Goretex). If your feet get wet, the water will freeze next to your toes and prevent you from walking! Comfort II-fitting boots will cause blisters. Boots that are too tight will block circulation and cause cold feet. If you're forced to choose between boots that are a little too big and ones that are a bit too small, go with the large boots. You can fill the space with thicker socks or insoles. VASQU Equipment 4-season sleeping bag A good sleeping bag is critical if you're to actually sleep! Your bag needs to be rated to at least -5°C. Look for a mummy-bag type sleeping bag with these features: Insulation Collar Check out the differences between - the 2 types of insulation: goose down vs synthetic fill. Hood This surrounds your head, retaining precious heat, while leaving your face uncovered so you can still breathe. This seals around your neck to further retain heat inside the main body of the bag. Advantages Disadvantages Goose down Lightest, most compressible, most luxurious insulating fill available. Unfortunately, down loses all of its insulating value when wet and is almost impossible to dry in damp conditions. It packs small yet quickly regains its loft (and warmth) when unpacked. It must be protected * from moisture. It's expensive yet has a much longer lifespan than other insulating fills. Synthetic fill Does not collapse when wet, so more reliable in wet conditions Heavier, less compressible Less expensive and easier to clean than down * Shorter lifespan than down Sleeping mat You'll need a sleeping mat to reduce the amount of heat lost to the ground and snow. Closed-cell foam is lightweight, cheap and reliable. You should carry two foam mats to give you extra insulation. Some foam mats have a textured design that gives them a softer surface, lower weight and increased ability to trap air, making them warmer. Self-inflating air mats are softer and more comfortable, but not quite as good as foam for insulation. They are expensive and prone to getting punctured. Hiking pack You will need a full-size pack with the following features: Capacity of at least 55L (ideally 80L) A comfortable harness Compression streps to reduce the pack's volume and prevent the load from shifting Sternum strap to prevent the pack from shifting while on difficult terrain Loops for storing your ice axe, snowshoes and crampons How to arrange your pack Strategically loading items will dramatically improve your speed, endurance and enjoyment while hiking. In the top compartment: Sunscreen Things you need quickly Pack heavy items as close to your back as possible, in the centre of the pack to lower your centre of gravity. Sunglasses/goggles Gloves Torch Beanie Tent Warm jacket/ jumper Water Cooking gear Clothes Sleeping mat Sleeping bag Tent on top Line your pack with a garbage bag or use waterproof stuff sacks to ensure your things (esp. clothes) stay DRY! Snowshoes and crampons attached to sides/back of pack Sleeping mat Other equipment CAMLIGHT LED head torch Ski goggles / sunglasses Spork Sunglasses or goggles are essential. You'll need this to eat dinner. Headlamps allow you to use both hands and are much more convenient than flashlights. Unprotected eyes easily burn before any discomfort is felt, resulting in excruciating snow blindness. SECTUR SU 828 SUN SCREEN SMALL to PETITE u2 E PADE Innate Sunscreen Small travel towel Watch UV rays penetrate cloud layers, and sunburn happens much more quickly at high altitudes. Bring a waterproof watch. This is important so that the group can keep on schedule. Water Food Ear plugs You will need to carry 2-3 litres of fluids for this trip, including 500ml of water to cook your dinner. We'll provide dinner on Saturday night, but you'll need to bring your own lunch and snacks. Especially if it's windy or you're bunking next to a snorer Don't bring anything heavy! Dehydrated food is much better than heavy cans or jars. Energy drinks like Gatorade are ideal. How heavy should my pack be? The total weight of your pack (excluding snowshoes, crampons, tents and stoves) shouldn't be more than String/bungy cord Camera 13kg Stretchy bungy cord is helpful Bring along a to tie things (snowshoes/ crampons / sleeping mats) to the sides/back of your pack camera to record awesome moments! Woo! I can't wait! It's gonna be EPIC! Epic Snow Hike 2014: Mount Feathertop Copyright ©2014 Jason Oh Source: Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, ed. Ronald C.Eng