What to Pack for an Overnight Winter Hike

So you’re ready to bite the bullet and tackle one of Alaska’s biggest adventures: An overnight hike during the winter. You have a lot to look forward to, including star-spangled skies and maybe even a glimpse of the aurora borealis. But the comfort and safety of your hike hinges on having the right gear along.

The following packing list is meant as a place for you to start. If you’ve never winter camped before and aren’t going with others who have, I highly recommend doing some trial runs in a front yard or campground before you really head into the backcountry.

Use those trial runs to figure out your comfort level (everyone is different) and modify the packing list, as needed, so it suits you.

You can also download a condensed PDF version of this packing list, or check out my packing list for a winter day hike.

Winter Hiking: Clothing

• Non-cotton base layers
• Non-cotton insulating layers (think wool, fleece, down and warm synthetic fabrics)
• Weatherproof outer layer
• Hat, gloves and face protection (appropriate for your activity level)
• Sunglasses (yes, even in the winter)
• Extra layers to sleep in (long underwear top + bottom, plus extra socks)
• Optional: Extra-warm hat for sleeping in

Winter Hiking: Footwear

• Appropriate winter boots
• Extra socks
• Ice grippers/micro spikes if there’s any chance of encountering ice (here are my favorites)
• Optional: Gaiters to keep snow out of your boots/pants
• Optional: Snowshoes
• Optional: Down booties for shuffling around in camp

Winter Hiking: Shelter

• Tent (make sure it can stand up to anticipated wind and snow conditions)
• Sleeping bag or camp quilt (pay close attention to the comfort temperature rating)
• Insulated sleeping pad (if it’s inflatable, you also need a patch kit)
• Shovel for digging out a sleeping platform
• Optional: Packable camp chair or “seating pad” (like a miniature sleeping pad)

Winter Hiking: Meals and Snacks

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day on the trail, plus snacks in between. I usually aim for about 2 pounds of food/day on summer trips; you’ll eat more on extended or especially intense outings.
• Adequate water (don’t count on melting snow for water unless you’ve done it before)
• Water filtering/purification device (if you’ll be near running water)
• Camp stove and fuel (if your stove is field-repairable, carry the appropriate parts)
• Pot for boiling water
• Cooking/eating dish OR disposable “envelopes” for each meal
• Eating utensil (all hail the mighty spork!)
• Cup or thermos for hot drinks

Winter Hiking: Sanitary Supplies

• Emergency toilet paper and zip-close freezer bags
• Poop disposal system (Leave No Trace offers a great primer on winter poop disposal options)
• Hand sanitizer
• Optional: Wet wipes
• Optional for ladies: A urine director like the Freshette, Shewee, etc.

Winter Hiking: Other Key Essentials

• Sun protection/face coverage if you’ll be near ice and snow
• Navigation device (map/compass, GPS)
• Headlamp and extra batteries
• Fully charged cell phone
• First aid supplies
• Emergency kit
• You filed a trip plan, right?
• Avalanche gear (shovel, probe, beacon — these are essential if you’re going to be traveling through or near avalanche terrain)

Winter Hiking: Optional Supplies

• Hiking poles
• Reading material
• Camera in a zip-close plastic bag or dry bag
• Tripod or monopod for night photography
• “Battery bank” for recharging electronics
• Camp lantern