Arturo's Winter Backpacking List

I also have a Summer list.

• The 10+ Essentials
  • Extra clothing layer(s)
  • Map of area (in waterproof case)
  • Drinking water
  • Compass
  • Food
  • Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries/ bulbs)
  • First-aid kit
  • Sunglasses (with retaining strap)
  • Pocket knife
  • Sunscreen
  • Matches (in waterproof container) and firestarter

• Clothing
  • Regular underwear
  • Warm pants
  • Wicking long underwear
  • Fleece or wool vest
  • Quick-drying pants
  • Fleece jacket/wool sweater
  • Long-sleeved shirts

• Outerwear
  • Outer shell jacket
  • Gloves/mittens
  • Outer shell pants
  • Glove liners
  • Warm hat
  • Neck gaiter
  • Waterproof gloves/overmitts
  • Face mask/balaclava

• Footwear
  • Hiking/mountaineering socks
  • Insulated camp booties
  • Wicking liner socks
  • Extra laces
  • Hiking boots/shoes
  • Gaiters

• Water/Food
  • Breakfast, Lunches, and Dinners (at least 3.5 lb food/day)
  • Snacks
  • Hot Beverages: cider, tea, or coffee
  • Powder Juiceor Gatorade
  • Stove, windscreen/reflector
  • Fuel and backup fuel: 6oz fuel = 4-5 meals, 3 oz = melted snow for 1 person/day (more at high altitude).
  • Matches/lighter
  • Cook set, dishes
  • Cooking/eating utensils
  • Pot grabber
  • Large pot for melting snow
  • Drinking cup (insulated)
  • Pot scrubber
  • Collapsible water container
  • Water bottle(s)
  • Water-purification tablets

• Shelter
  • Tent, tarp or bivy sack
  • Rainfly
  • Tent stakes
  • Snow stakes
  • Ground cloth
  • Tent broom (to keep snow out)

• Personal Gear
  • Backpack
  • Pack cover
  • Sleeping bag
  • Compression sack
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sit pad
  • Extra nylon stuff sacks
  • Extra plastic bags
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Resealable plastic bags

• General Snow Gear
  • Avalanche transceiver
  • Day/summit pack
  • Altimeter
  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Snow shovel
  • Snow saw
  • Snowshoes
  • Skis, poles, boots
  • Skins, wax
  • Lantern

• Higiene
  It's specially hard to keep clean in winter. Water is limited and at low temperatures people don't feel like washing. Also, you must carry out your bowel movements (BM) in a BM Kit (see below). Never bury your BMs in the snow as they will polute the water in the spring!
  • Hand cleaning gel (Purell)
  • Toilet paper
  • Other personal toiletry items
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Lip balm (with sun protection)
  • Small bath towel
  • Insect repellent
  • Brush/comb
  • Trowel
  • BM Kit (brown bag with 1/4 cup of kitty litter inside 2 ziploc bags).
  • BM tube (PVC Tube seal at one end and with a cap at the other where used BM Kits are put)

• Other/Extras
  • Binoculars
  • Repair/sewing kit
  • Field guides
  • 100-foot accessory cord
  • Camera and film
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Money
  • Travel games
  • Watch/alarm clock
  • Photo ID
  • Weather radio

• Last Minute Tasks
  • Cancel newspaper
  • Cut toenails
  • Turn off alarm clock
  • Give Itinerary to friend