Gear: Winter Travel
This gear tends to be quite specialised and are luxuries; you'll still be able to get around on winter trips by bringing items listed in the Typical Gear category.
4-Season Snow Tent *
4-season tents are invariably tunnel-shaped for stability and to prevent snow building up on top. They often have a non-mesh inner (unlike 3-season tents) for trapping warmth. The Macpac Olympus is the Club mainstay of 4-season shelter. Don't forget to take snow pegs with your tent, though you can improvise pegs with other items. Tents are shared among trip participants where possible, and make sure you know how to put it up.
Snow-rated Sleeping Bag *
These are the warmest-of-the-warm sleeping bags. Like tents, sleeping bags have seasonal ratings; sometimes a standard bushwalking sleeping bag simply won't cut it in the depths of winter. In general, look for a bag rated to at least -5°C, otherwise you might be in for a chilly night. (image c/o www.jas.com.au)
Snow Shovel
A very convenient tool for carving out tent platforms in the snow, various snow furniture and in a pinch, can be used as an anchor (much like your skis and poles). One per tent group is considered an empirical ideal.
Overpants *
Mandatory on winter walks and ski-tours, they're waterproof pants that keep you dry. You can usually get away with not actually needing them during the warmer months, but depending on where you go, it's wise to bring them anyway. (image c/o www.mont.com.au)
Gaiters *
These accessories are usually made of canvas and wrap around your shin and the top half of your footwear, to stop things from entering your shoes, such as thorns, water (to a degree), branches, snow and stones. An excellent item when walking through scrub or off-track. (image c/o www.prolitegear.com)
Optional Variations
Below are suggested items that you might want to take instead of, or in addition to, the Typical Items listed above. The Optional items are not mandatory and are often considered luxuries for most, if not all, activities. The Optional items are like upgraded Typical items.
Insulated Jacket
A heartbreakingly expensive item, it is basically a one-layer-wonder for warmth. Made from down or synthetic fibers—much like you'd find in a sleeping bag. They compress well and are wonderful, but not vital, for the average snow-bound skiing trip.
Thermos Flask
Ideal for storing hot water for a hot lunchtime drink, such as hot chocolate or those cup-of-soup packets. Though they can be used to keep stuff cool, it's far more common to use thermos, or vacuum, flasks to keep things warm.
Microfibre Towel
Microfibre towels absorb water very easily, making them invaluable for mopping up that puddle in the tent where snow used to be. (image c/o images.usoutdoorstore.com)
Typical Items
- 4-Season Snow Tent
- Snow-rated Sleeping Bag
- Snow Shovel
- Overpants
- Gaiters
Optional Variations
- Insulated Jacket
- Thermos Flask
- Microfibre Towel
Typical Gear
- Base Layer
The layers you wear next to your body.
- Warm Wear
Really warm stuff to keep you...well, warm. This usually goes on top of the Base Layer, but beneath the Shell.
- Shellwear
The outer layers will protect you from the duo of death: wind and rain.
- Campground Arsenal
The stuff you'll need for overnight camping. On occasion you might draw from this list for a shorter trip, but your leader will specify.
- Miscellaneous
Extra items that you might want to take, that don't fit into the above categories.
Specific Gear
- Winter Kit
For when you go skiing or snow-camping.
- Rockclimbing
All the cool shiny stuff that you take climbing. Some of this is also used in Mountaineering.
Related Links
Bogong EquipmentA reliable and reputable vendor of outdoors equipment. They supply a variety of brands and stock equipment for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Mountain DesignsMountain Designs stocks their own label of equipment. A specialised outdoors vendor, they have a range of equipment suitable for bushwalkers, skiiers, climbers and mountaineers.
Snowgum Kathmandu Anaconda
