Which accessories do you recommend for backpacking in winter?

Hi,

I'm gonna upgrade my main accessories for backpacking in winter.
My purpose is camping in mountain and photography, I'm an amateur climber.

Which brands and qualifications do you recommend?

1.Sleeping bag: Temp Rating? size?
2.Tent with 1 or 2 persons capacity: Waterproof, stable in wind.
3.Snow+Rock footwear
4.GPS
5.Pack: I want to put my all photography accessories and climbing accessories in it.

And other accessories that I may forget.

Thank you,

Morteza

Well I can give you a few ideas that I carry and have:

• Sleeping bag, I have 2 different types, 1 rated @ freezing 30º, and 1 rated for -30, both by Mountain hardward

• Tent, I researched these for awhile, and I am sure Marc, or a few others may have 1 that is a little lighter than mine, but I use the MSR Dragontail Expedition tent, weighs 4 pounds, but a takes up a little more room than a 3 season, but man this tent is a beast. Rain, snow, wind, sand, it will withstand it all.

• GPS, I have the Garmin 60CSx, I like it so far, but still have typos, and compass to go along with it.

• Backpack: Alot of diffent packs to choose from, and if there are some climbers around they may chime in and give a few ideas also, but I this one and I really like this pack: Mountain Hardwear Dirretissima Pack, its an ice and alpine climbers pack, has room for it all, ice picks, snowshoes, trekking poles, holds my tent, bag, extra clothes, food, and camera equipment. The pack also breaks down to a day pack, if you have a base camp, then you downsize the pack and summit..

those are my recommendations, hope it helps.

GPS, I have the Garmin 60CSx, I like it so far, but still have typos, and compass to go along with it

That might be one of the funniest "typos" I've come across. I'm certain you meant "topo". Thanks for the giggle and the excellent info.

This may seem like a rather small item but it has saved me on a few occasions. I like to take a few packages of hand warmers / foot warmers. There have been a few occasions when I or someone I've been out with has not been able to warm up their hands or feet and these have helped to get them warmed up before frostbite could develop. They are so small and light that they are well worth bringing with you.

My sleeping bag is rated to -20, I believe, which I use year round. When the temperatures get down that low, then I'll make a snow shelter instead of using a tent, as they're much warmer.

I'd take a topo map over a GPS. It's lighter, cheaper, and not battery powered.

My backpack and daypack are made by Arc'teryx. My particular models aren't designed for climbing, but the quality of there stuff is amazing. The only con is the price, but spread over how long the stuff lasts, it's as good as any other brand.

I'd recommend a good, lightweight shovel. Something that can help you erect a windbreak or shelter without too much time or effort.

It might help a bit if you described the areas you plan on winter camping. Without knowing the temps and typical weather, its tough to recommend a specific tent or bag rating. For example, my winter bag is rated at 5 degrees F, but I winter camp in moderate temps (Sierra Nevada in California), and wouldn't think this bag sufficient in other areas. I would say a similar argument can be made for a tent. I will say though that a vestibule in my tent is VERY nice to have, nice to stowe gear in the snow and to cook in while camping in high winds.
Another piece of gear I've found handy in winter is a Thermos to store hot water - might be a bit heavy but it is nice to have to store hot water without the need to keep firing up the stove. A shovel also comes in handy.

So much of my recommendations turn on where you will be and what conditions you might reasonably encounter. If you are winter backpacking where you might encounter -15 F or colder, then you need a lot of insulation and layers. If you are in an area that may have high wind (> 25 mph), then you need a heavier tent and extensive windproofing. If you will be near freezing, with snowmelt, then you need more waterproofing. One kind of gear does not meet all conditions.

Way back in the early 1970's, a buddy and I were pinned down at 8,500 feet in the Cascades for five days in a monsoon that switched to a blizzard each night. Experiences like that teach you caution.

Morteza,
Here is a link to a discussion from a previous post that has some great information.
link

Rod

Thank you for the helpful recommendations and experiences.

Thanks Adam, sorry about typo, no pun intended! hahah