EQUIPMENT LIST

Northeast Mountains Winter Day Hiking
This minimal list is suited for winter day hikes above and below treeline

If you have any questions about the required equipment list, or about selecting and purchasing equipment, ask your hike leaders. We will be glad to assist you. Because cotton loses its insulating value when wet, it is strictly prohibited on our hikes. It is important to bring only synthetic or wool clothing. Winter mountain weather can be extremely changeable, and unpredictable. Temperatures drop 4 degrees for every 1000-foot elevation gain. Above treeline conditions can be very windy and extremely cold.. The clothing and gear required is based on the proven 3-layer winter clothing system – a base layer for next to the skin, a middle insulating layer(s), and a shell layer. The leaders reserve the right to excuse anyone from a hike if they do not have the required equipment.

The following equipment requirements are based on a few factors and philosophies:

The higher elevations of the major mountain ranges of the Northeast experience severe weather throughout the year. In winter, this weather is similar to that found in the Artic. Sub-zero temperatures and 100 mph plus winds are not uncommon. The potential for this type of weather is one of the driving reasons behind our required equipment list.

As responsible hikers, and hike leaders; we must recognize and be prepared for the possibility of having to spend an unplanned night out in the woods or on a mountain. And although you will almost certainly never need to wear all of the clothing on the equipment list while actually hiking; in the very unlikely event that you have to spend the night out, you will welcome all of those layers. Combined with our group gear, the items on the equipment list will allow you, and therefore collectively the group, to be prepared to survive a night out in the woods or on a mountain.

Nutrition and Hydration: A diet of complex carbohydrates, protein, fruits, plenty of water and minimal simple sugars will make for a more enjoyable hike. Suggested trail snacks include nuts, trail mix, dried fruits and/or vegetables, granola bars, crackers, peanut butter and jelly. Sports drinks (Gator Aid) are OK, but should be diluted with an additional 4 parts water. Drinking an adequate amount of water is critical (at least 2-3 quarts) so that your urine is clear and copious.

Upper Body Layers
You’ll need base layer zip-t’s, fleece vest, fleece top, insulated jacket, and full winter parka. A lightweight, highly breathable windshirt is highly recommended.
Equipment
Base Layer Zip-T 3 Light-weight or Mid-weight zip-T top of synthetic material; Capilene, Polartec Power Dry, or Polartec PowerStretch material recommended.
Top Insulating Layer (fleece jacket)1 A Mid-weight, full length zip fleece jacket, or pullover; of Polartec 200 material or equivalent.
Fleece Vest 1 A synthetic fleece vest of Polartec 200 or equivalent.
Wind Shirt 1 A lightweight, breathable, nylon wind shell either pullover or parka style. Must be large enough to fit over all your insulating layers.
Insulated Jacket 1 Wiggy’s sweater-jacket, belay-type jacket, or similar. In temps of 5 degrees or below, a full-on hip length, insulated parka (preferably with hood) is required.
Waterproof Parka 1 A sturdy, roomy waterproof parka with hood. Must be large enough to fit over all your insulating layers. Breathable fabric is recommended such as Precip, H20No, or Gore-Tex. Pit zips are a desirable feature.

Lower Body Layers
You’ll need base layer bottoms, fleece insulating layer, and full-zip waterproof pants, along with full height gaitors.
Equipment
Base Layer Bottoms 1 Light weight or mid-weight bottoms of synthetic material; Capilene, Polartec Power Dry, or Polartec PowerStretch material recommended.
Bottom Insulating Layer 1 Mid-weight, full length zip fleece pants; of Polartec 200 material or equivalent. Insulated pants are also acceptable.
Waterproof Pants 1 Waterproof, full-zip pants. Must be large enough to fit over all your insulating layers. Breathable fabric is recommended such as Precip, H20No, or Gore-Tex.

Head, Neck and Hands Layers
Equipment
Liner Gloves 2 Synthetic material only.
Fleece or Wool Gloves 2 Mid-weight fleece, or wool.
Glove Shells 1 Waterproof glove shells. Breathable fabric such as Precip, H2No or Gore-Tex recommended.
Overmitt Shells w/heavy fleece insulation
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Insulated Overmitts 1 Final layer system for hands. Overmitt shells with heavy fleece insulation, or insulated overmitts.
Chemical Handwarmers Multiple Many hikers find these work well to assist with keeping hands warm in extreme cold.
Fleece or Wool Hat 2 Mid-weight fleece, Polartec 200 or similar; or wool. Must be long enough to completely cover your ears.
Neck Gaitor 1 Lightweight fleece neck gaitor. Also works well as a lightweight hat that ventilates well.
Goggles 1 One pair of goggles.
Balaclava 1 Fleece or wool balaclava; should fit snugly around the face, to allow complete coverage of face combined with neck gaitor and goggles for high wind above tree line situations.

Footwear
Equipment

Double Plastic Mountaineering Boots 1 This is the preferred boot system. Double plastic mountaineering boots. Asolo, Koflach, Scarpa are well regarded brands.
-or-
Pac-Boots w/removable liner 1 the single most important piece of equipment in contributing to enjoyable winter hiking is appropriate boots. Pac-boots with removable liners (Sorel and Baffin are two brands that have worked well).
Liner Socks 3 Crew length. These should be very light weight synthetic (Coolmax recommended), or wool. These will be worn under your heavy weight socks, and are crucial to avoiding blisters. They should be snug fitting.
Heavy Weight Socks 3 Crew length. Socks must be heavy wool or wool/synthetic blend.
Vapor Barrier Socks/Bags 1 Optional. Some winter hikers find a vapor barrier system on the feet effective for winter hiking.
Crampons 1 General mountaineering type – 10 or 12 point. Strap-on or step-in are acceptable. Please make sure they fit on your boots prior to the trip.
Stablicers 1 Possible alternative to crampons on some early or late season hikes, depending on the route and conditions. Ask leader before bringing these in lieu of crampons.
Gaiters 1 Full height gaiters (come up to just below the knees). Worn over boots and waterproof shell pants to keep out snow and mud. They also protect your shell pants and lower legs from inadvertent crampon mis-steps. Gaiters receive hard use, and it pays to purchase durable rugged ones. OR Crocodiles and Mountain Hardware Ventigaiters are well regarded.


Backpack and Storage Bags
Equipment
Winter Daypack 1 The second most important piece of equipment in contributing to enjoyable winter hiking. Minimum capacity of 4000 cubic inches. A comfortable, and correctly sized pack (to your torso), is essential. Most of the chain type stores do not offer to size a pack to your torso. This is usually available at higher end stand alone gear shops. The following pack manufactures are well regarded: Dana Design, Arcteryx and Osprey.
Plastic Trash Bags 2 Line the inside of your pack with a trash compactor bag or 3 mil contractor clean-up bag. A second trash bag should be carried folded up in your pack. Trash bags may also be used to make stuff sacks waterproof.
Large Zip-Lock Bags 6-12 To store and organize items within your pack. Also serves as second line of waterproof defense for keeping essential survival items dry in event of pack submersion (such as when falling in a stream).
Stuff Sacks 2 Small nylon stuff sacks or mesh bags for organizing items in your pack.
Water Bottle Holster 1-2 Holster to insulate and hold water bottle (s), and allow access while hiking. Water bottles stored in your pack can be placed between clothing layers to insulate from cold.



Miscellaneous Items
Equipment
Hydration System 3 or 4 - 32 oz. bottles Three or four 32 oz. water bottles. Lexan Nalgene bottles recommended, the polyethelene Nalgene variety can not hold boiling temperature water. Bladder system not allowed on winter trips.
Hiking Poles 2 These are essential in winter. Sturdy 2-3 section poles ease packing.

Headlamp 1 LED/Incandescent hybrid type are recommended for winter. Bring spare batteries and bulb
Waterproof Survival Matches 12 Stored in a waterproof container with their striking surface.
Second Fire Starter Device 1 Either disposable lighters, or a magnesium fire starter device. At least one of your disposable lighters should be stored in a waterproof container.
Knife 1 Small multi-tool is recommended. No need for a large blade.
Compass 1 Rectangular baseplate, land navigation type.
Personal First Aid Kit 1 Include any prescription medication, or emergency medication (Eppi Pens, etc.) you require. Be sure to make the Leaders aware of any emergency medication that you carry.
Bandannas 1 Many uses.
Map 1 Relevant hiking trail map. Ask Leaders for suggestions for the particular area that you will be hiking in.
Whistle 1 Plastic whistle, on lanyard long enough to wear around your neck. Alternative is to attach it to upper part of pack harness.
Space Blanket 1 Many uses, in addition to emergency layering.
Sunscreen 1 SPF 15 or greater.
Complete ID 1 Drivers license (or photocopy of), medical insurance cards and medical information (blood type, allergies, prescriptions, etc.), and who to notify in emergencies.
Toilet Paper 1 Small roll, along with small zip-lock bag to carry out used toilet paper.