Winter backpacking gear advice

[NILowe]

Planning a November hunt for mule deer in the frank church wilderness. I have all the essential equipment and have spent time backpacking but never to this extent. Planning on flying in and spending 9-14 days Ill have a base camp at the airstrip but would spiked out for basically the entire trip. Just curious about some things people who have done something similar might recommend that isn’t the typical gear. For example im thinking of buying a pair of the battery powered boot dryers cause my feet sweat and frozen boots sounds rough but weight is obviously an issue. Anyway just curious what people might come up with
Thanks

 

[Windigo]

Focus on making life as comfortable as possible. Never drink anything cold if you don’t have to. A hot tent is nice for keeping spirits up. Extra socks help dry boots out.

Maybe try camping in gross February snow to get good at sweat management and staying dry.

 

[NILowe]

Focus on making life as comfortable as possible. Never drink anything cold if you don’t have to. A hot tent is nice for keeping spirits up. Extra socks help dry boots out.

Maybe try camping in gross February snow to get good at sweat management and staying dry.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Truck24hr]

Vet all your gear now, while you might have comparable conditions. Everything you will use, make sure it works while you have a chance to fix it.

Boots, shelter, water filter, everything. Leave nothing to question, and go in confidence.

I don't use anything fancy. I would focus funds on the most important stuff. Food, sleeping bag and pad, shelter, socks and boots. Especially socks and boots. If you're buying boots, figure that b out today

Then just time spent using it.

 

[robertpaulsen]

While you can get snow any month of the year in the frank I wouldn’t consider mid Nov winter there. At least in the last 20 years. Leave the boot dryer at home. Take two pairs of boots if concerned. Warm clothes, tent with a stove would be ideal. Worst case being a little buddy heater. Other than that it’s business as usual on the hunting front. Don’t forget to look at the land rules/laws of where you are going.

That country is hungry. Good luck!

 

[NILowe]

Vet all your gear now, while you might have comparable conditions. Everything you will use, make sure it works while you have a chance to fix it.

Boots, shelter, water filter, everything. Leave nothing to question, and go in confidence.

I don't use anything fancy. I would focus funds on the most important stuff. Food, sleeping bag and pad, shelter, socks and boots. Especially socks and boots. If you're buying boots, figure that b out today

Then just time spent using it.

Thanks! I’m very confident in my gear and I’m basically fully prepared for what I’m getting into just looking for the oddball tips tricks or gear people use in that scenario

 

[NILowe]

While you can get snow any month of the year in the frank I wouldn’t consider mid Nov winter there. At least in the last 20 years. Leave the boot dryer at home. Take two pairs of boots if concerned. Warm clothes, tent with a stove would be ideal. Worst case being a little buddy heater. Other than that it’s business as usual on the hunting front. Don’t forget to look at the land rules/laws of where you are going.

That country is hungry. Good luck!

Thanks! I have a hot tent so that will definitely help with boot drying. Other than that im very confident in my gear and think it will be a great time.

 

[justinspicher]

For them winter months I like to have a foam pad and an air mattress to sleep on. Since I use a 30* bag, I will generally sleep in my puffy pants/jacket as well.

I also take a rain cover for my pack, I rarely use it as a rain cover. It is usually used to hold my boots, clothes and binos. Keep them clean and organized.

 

[NILowe]

For them winter months I like to have a foam pad and an air mattress to sleep on. Since I use a 30* bag, I will generally sleep in my puffy pants/jacket as well.

I also take a rain cover for my pack, I rarely use it as a rain cover. It is usually used to hold my boots, clothes and binos. Keep them clean and organized.

I like the pack cover idea

 

[IowaNative]

Have you been to the Frank before? That place is no joke... I only say this because the best gear cannot prepare you for the awe inspiring geography that is the Frank. Been there twice and each time I think I am ready and it lets me know otherwise lol.

 

[dwhite0622]

Get the best sleeping bag you can afford (a lot of options out there these days). Puffy pants are absolutely worth having.... As others have said, it could be mild or it could b e below zero.

 

[Legend]

Planning a November hunt for mule deer in the frank church wilderness. I have all the essential equipment and have spent time backpacking but never to this extent. Planning on flying in and spending 9-14 days Ill have a base camp at the airstrip but would spiked out for basically the entire trip. Just curious about some things people who have done something similar might recommend that isn’t the typical gear. For example im thinking of buying a pair of the battery powered boot dryers cause my feet sweat and frozen boots sounds rough but weight is obviously an issue. Anyway just curious what people might come up with
Thanks

Water is always an issue. I have had filters freeze, filter handles break, bottles freeze, etc.

I bring a light metal pot to melt snow when you have a hot tent. At least you have a backup water source or maybe primary. My new favorite is a cheap coffee percolator pot....it has a built in strainer in the pour lip to remove pine needles from the snowmelt.

14 days solo in November is legit. Most wouldn't make it that long solo.
.

 

[NILowe]

Have you been to the Frank before? That place is no joke... I only say this because the best gear cannot prepare you for the awe inspiring geography that is the Frank. Been there twice and each time I think I am ready and it lets me know otherwise lol.

I have never been. But I’m from northern Idaho so the terrain is nothing new. I have been training a bit harder in preparation though.

 

[NILowe]

Water is always an issue. I have had filters freeze, filter handles break, bottles freeze, etc.

I bring a light metal pot to melt snow when you have a hot tent. At least you have a backup water source or maybe primary. My new favorite is a cheap coffee percolator pot....it has a built in strainer in the pour lip to remove pine needles from the snowmelt.

14 days solo in November is legit. Most wouldn't make it that long solo.
.

I wont be solo. I’ve heard freezing filters and lack of available water can be a big problem. I was thinking a pot for melting snow/boiling water would be a good idea

 

[TaperPin]

I wont be solo. I’ve heard freezing filters and lack of available water can be a big problem. I was thinking a pot for melting snow/boiling water would be a good idea

Once you get used to the rhythm of boiling water, it’s relaxing, like watching a fireplace. I like at least a 1.5l titanium pot or percolator to boil water when it’s also taking the place of a filter, but leave the percolating parts at home. A whisperlite stove and misc items store inside so even larger pots aren’t really a hassle or wasted space. If you’re a cold sleeper or have to wear damp clothes to bed to dry them out it’s nice to have a water bottle of boiling water down in the foot of the bag at night. From first thing in the morning to last thing at night it’s nice to have hot water. If you are into light weight water bottles it’s best to find out how well they seal with hot water before a trip. I use Nalgene because they work reliably year after year, decade after decade.

In a group it’s nice to have two stoves - one at the cooking/eating spot and another in camp. When your water supply, food, and warmth are relying on a functioning stove, it’s not overkill to have two in camp.

 

[TaperPin]

It should also be said that there is no substitute for going out in winter conditions to shake out your gear. I 100% guarantee the best thought out gear list will change after a couple frozen nights winter camping. A friend wanted to use his dinky little butane stove and after the first day gave in and used our whisperlite.

I wouldn’t count on electric boot driers, but have never used them, or needed to use them. Goretex socks will keep wool socks dry in completely frozen boots until they soften up.

 

[Windigo]

The gas stove you use should also be optimized for cold temps. Liquid fuel (white gas) is reliable in the gold. If you’re going to use isobutane canisters, invest in a stove with a pressure regulator like the pocket rocket deluxe (not the standard model).

Additionally, the pocket bellows gadget is a neat little tool for starting fires quicker, for those of us who can’t rip off a retractable car radio antenna.

 

[rcb2000]

I wouldn't do that trip without a teepee and a wood stove, and a good saw for firewood.
Drying out gear and clothing, plus the morale boost would be non negotiable for that length of time.

 

[NILowe]

Get the best sleeping bag you can afford (a lot of options out there these days). Puffy pants are absolutely worth having.... As others have said, it could be mild or it co

I wouldn't do that trip without a teepee and a wood stove, and a good saw for firewood.
Drying out gear and clothing, plus the morale boost would be non negotiable for that length of time.

These were all things I invested in when planning the trip. And im planning on getting out and testing them early this spring. Slept in a teepee several times but never needed the stove so will be interesting putting it to use and working out all the kinks

 

[Jtb.kfd]

I have done your hunt many times over the years in the Frank flying our of McCall and Challis. A couple things to consider.
- Have a pack with the minimum things you need to survive in the plane you will fly in with. We always set up a base camp and solo’d out from there. Every trip/flight in we did required multiple planes, they didn’t always make it in on the same day.
- Have earplugs on you for the flight. Some pilots would have them, most did not. The planes are loud and the flight from McCall can be 45+ minutes.
- Bring supplies to last an extra 4-5 days. We have been stuck for days at a landing strip waiting for weather to clear for pickup.
- Grakksaw boot dryers always go with me. The weather likely won’t be wet causing soggy boots, but my feet sweat and my boots get damp.
- I always bring trekking poles and ice traction. Packing down those slopes when the ground is frozen gets dangerous without spikes of some sort. Even if the ground isn’t frozen that extra traction is amazing when going down steep hard ground.
- I bring a larger handsaw for base camp and a small pack saw for my pack. You can’t have gas engines in the wilderness and cutting firewood is a chore.
- One person per group would have a tarp. We would light fires midday most days while glassing. If the snow starts coming down hard or the wind picks up this makes life much nicer.
- Bring a few contractor bags or large trash bags to throw meat in for the flight back. The pilots appreciate this as it keeps things clean in their cargo area and will keep your gear clean if they toss meat on top of your stuff.