A good winter trip starts at home with a checklist. Copy this one, cross out what you do not need, and keep it with your gear.
Shelter
- Hot tent with stove jack and snow skirt (winter camping tents)
- Center pole, stakes and guy lines (snow stakes or deadman anchors in deep snow)
- Mesh inner tent or groundsheet (inner tents and poles)
Stove
- Stove and pipe, assembled once at home to check every joint
- Spark arrestor
- Fire-resistant mat or anti-scald plate under the stove
- Fire starters, lighter and a backup
- Dry kindling in a bag, in case the wood on site is wet
Fire safety
- Battery carbon monoxide detector, tested
- Leather stove gloves
- Fire blanket by the door
- Headlamp for each person
Sleep system
- Sleeping bag rated for the coldest night you expect (the stove will burn down at some point)
- Insulated sleeping pad plus a closed-cell foam pad
- Dry base layer kept only for sleeping
Tools
- Folding saw and hatchet
- Small shovel for snow
- Repair kit: tape, cord, needle and thread, spare stakes
Comfort
- Kettle for the stove top (titanium camp kettle)
- Heat-powered stove fan to spread warm air
- Stove thermometer to keep the fire in the right range
Before you go
- Check fire restrictions with the land manager.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Read the hot tent safety guide once more.