Snow Backpacking - Stay warm and have fun!

Do you think backpacking is just a summertime thing? No way! In the wintertime the mountains hold incredible sights and untouched beauty. Learn how to have an enjoyable snow backpacking trip, without freezing to death, or getting eaten by a sasquatch.

Step 1: You want to do what??

Whether your already savy about the outdoors, or a complete beginner, you should definitely try this.
But if you're new to it, i suggest you consult many other resources on the subject as I won't provide a comprehensive guide in this one instructable.
As with everything in the outdoors, you need a good dose of common sense. Make sure you research this topic more on the internet, maybe get some friends who know what they're doing, and really get a good idea of what is involved. Start small and work your way up to longer trips.

As always, I'm not responsible for whatever you do with this information, or how you interpret it.

I'm going to concentrate on six main areas to help you have a fun (and safe) trip.

1-How to get there.
2-Choosing a site
3-Shelter (Spending the night)
4-Food
5-Clothing
6-Fire

Comments

[suzyqhoo]

Nice Instructable!  Where were you guys?  We are in the Southeast...not a lot of snow, but we do get some in the mountains.  Question:  How deep does the snow have to be for snowshoes to be necessary?  Thanks again for posting this Instructable!  See you on the trails!

[David-Yezbak]

for the depth of snow it depends on how dense the snow is if it is really dense and packed it will hold a lot of weight but if it is fluffy and powdery then you will need a really good pair of snowshoes. but even if the snow is dense it is still good to have a pair of snowshoes. sicerly david.

[kchristensen6]

basically when every step leaves you boot top covered in snow you will wish for a pair of snow shoes. My snow shoe's have built in "crampons" and I sometimes wear the snowshoes just for the traction.

[David-Yezbak]

in michigan you could biuld a fire in a biulding and nobody could stop you people biuld open fires on the beach in the woods any where it doesn't really matter it isn't illegal.

[David-Yezbak]

i see what you did wrong here, from what i am reading it sounds like the ceiling was too thick i live most of my time in the snow and every year when i was still a little kid i made snow cave but every time it would collapse but then i learned to make the cieling to thick the next winter i made a new cave and then made the cieling thin and it did not collapse all winter. i hope this helps for next time.

[piepieburger]

instant oatmeal and ramen, it's all you need

[Mother Natures Son]

"Carbs, Sugars, Proteins, and fats"--Oatmeal and ramen cover one, maybe two of those. Fine for an overnight trip in the summer, but anything else and you'll usually want something more substantial--besides, why limit yourself to ramen? I usually pack Pasta Roni, which is delicious, fast-cooking and fairly hearty, or Tuna Helper with salmon from a can or pouch. For breakfast, oatmeal's okay, but I usually add in trail mix to give it a nutritional boost. Ramen's great for a snack or for lunch, but variety is the key to happiness.

[kchristensen6]

last summer went backpackin with some new friends who introduce me to quite a few gourmet options. I went with top ramen and field stripped MRE's. I should have gone shopping with my friends.

[redsuit09]

puches are way better then can hen backpacking in my opinion.

[Quinn Z.]

You were so lucky!! With my luck, all the wood would be a mile away

[rhkramer]

What is (or what do you mean) by a wilderness area as opposed to a National Forest?

[ramatern]

An ice cave is not an igloo. An igloo is made of packed snow blocks, which are much tougher than just snow. And a curved top geometry is much sturdier as well.

[kingsmanname]

Okay Last Comment, One Thing Thats VERY Essential that You Didn't Mention Was A Sleeping Bag! Without A Sleeping Bag NO ONE Would be Sleeping Warm Anything On That Would Be Awesome. Happy Campin!

[kingsmanname]

Your Lucky You Got A Lady To Go With, To Find A Girl Around Here Who Enjoys Camping Is Nearly Impossible!!! Good For You

[kingsmanname]

Theres An Okay Design On How To Make A Sled Suitable For Carrying Gear And how To Make The Harness Here ->
http://www.krabach.info/snow_sled/snow_sled.htm

[akoutdoors]

Every once and awhile though, your foot decides to go south, and suddenly you're up to your crotch, with one leg running around on the top...
LOL been there done that. Great Instructable. Keep it up.

[Fidel_RV]

I’m very glad to find men who can enjoy frost and snow (like me and my friends) on the other continent. I would like to make more close contact with you. What can you say on it?

[Evilrick]

I have been camping  in the snow since I was too young to know any better, still haven't learned any better. A friend and I even camped "on" a frozen pond when I was about 9 y. o.  Have been on 2 and 3 day canoe trips between Christmas and New Years day.  Have been so cold that I swore I'd never do it again, you know, until next time.  Your most important points are layers of clothing and food.  If you can stay dry, worm and keep off the hunger pains, life is good.  Don't forget the camera, you'll see things differently in the snow, nothing else looks like fresh snow in the morning after a night in the woods.  Just keep the fire hot and enjoy.

[Bigbloosky]

btw this is my first 'ible so bring on the constructive criticism!

[die_dunkelheit]

It was actually an awesome Instructible especially being a first. Just enough humor to keep  it light but not distract from the point...

[Vautikos]

Good stuff here, and a fine first instructable. I work in an outdoor outfitting store, so if I may suggest a few things:
You may want to mention the difference between three and four season tents. While you seem to have done fine with a three season here, in an area with stronger winds or colder temperatures you may not have such a good trip.
For clothing, gotta have merino wool! Well, you don't have to, some synthetics do a pretty good job (you mentioned Underarmour), but the stuff Icebreaker is bringing to market these days really honestly changes the way you'll think about outdoor clothing. (Pricey as heck though).

Great work!

[Bigbloosky]

Good point I'll add that! yea I'm a fan of smartwool socks and stuff like that. If you just had loads of money, you'd be set lol.. What store do you work at?

[Vautikos]

Campers Village in Calgary. We mostly cater to the family camping set, but we have a decent selection of more technical stuff as well.

[BJMN]

I've possibly seen you there - I love that store.

[snorkledorf]

I used to do this type of camping. It is so much more fun than most people would think! Great job!!!

[Mother Natures Son]

Nice job. I'm looking to do something like this--if I can get time off from college before the snow disappears--but with telemark skis instead of snowshoes. I've backpacked a lot during the summer, but only once or twice during the winter, and only overnight.