Event Details

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    • SheJumps Into the Backcountry: Intro to Winter Camping

    • When:

      Friday, April 09, 2010 - Saturday, April 10, 2010

    • Where:

      Willow Heights

      Big Cottonwood Canyon

       
    • Info:

       

      SheJumps Into the Backcountry:

      Intro to Winter Camping

       

      Meet at the 3440 East Bengal Blvd. LDS Church Parking lot, on the west side of the building.

      Meet at either 4pm or 6pm, depending if you can get off work earlier or not

       

      Its time to go camping ladies!  So many of us love camping in the warm summer months, but doing so in the more variable winter season takes a bit more planning and work.  What better way to get some simple winter camping experience than less than a mile off the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon?  We will organize it as if we were going way out into the backcountry, but in reality we won't be far from our cars.  I’ll make a list of things to bring, have you all actually pack your packs (including food), and bring backcountry travel gear.  We will try to consolidate our vehicles so we can park as few as possible along the road in BCC.  Personally, I’d say we give everyone one free pass to go back to the cars for something (say…drinks, special treats, extra warm layers or something they forgot).  BUT, if you have to go back any other times, you have to owe something or do something funny!  Does this make sense?  I want it to be as much like actually winter camping in the backcountry as possible, but I also want it to be tons of fun!

       

      Right now we are planning on heading up the Willow Creek drainage just down canyon from Solitude.  We will of course be watching the weather this week and will have to adjust plans accordingly.  Right now the NOAA is suggesting there could be snow showers, which isn't a trip ender as long as its not too heavy.  Some things we can do on this trip are practice making snow caves, beacon practice, skiing of course, and sharing our experiences!  If some people would like to do some backcountry skiing Saturday, and some do not, then we will have to plan accordingly.

       
       

      Winter Camping List:

      Large Backpack

      Sleeping pad

      Sleeping bag and stuff sac (NOAA says the low will be 26 as of today)

      Tent with a ground cloth or tarp (buddy up with at least one other person for warmth, but tents with too much air space are harder to keep warm)

      Waterproof Outer Layers and ski gear if needed (helmet, goggles, etc)

      Warm clothing (including back up long underwear/socks if you get wet or too cold...no cotton death suits!!!)

      Gloves or Mitten and a hat (again, back-ups aren't a bad idea)

      Boots to wear around camp

      Headlamp and/or flashlight

      Camp stove and fuel (also can be shared, so let us know if you have one to bring)

      Matches or a lighter

      Personal cutlery/dishes (definitely a knife or utility tool!)

      Water bottles 

      Personal First Aid Kit

      Sunscreen

      Goggles and/or Sunglasses

      Toilet Paper and plastic ziplock bags (we don't bury our TP, we carry it out!)

      Plastic bags for trash and keeping things dry

       

      Backcountry Gear: (If you don't have all this, just tell us so we can get it for everyone!)

      Beacon

      Shovel

      Probe

      Travel gear (skis or snowshoes...and poles with both b/c you won't want to fall over in these packs!)

       

      Further Notes:

      ~Its is always good to travel with a map and compass, but won't be essential on this trip.  I'll have both if someone wants to check them out.

      ~We can boil snow for water, but bring your water containers full.  I'm going to bring my water purifier which can be faster than boiling and I'm more than willing to share.

      ~I think we will do some food as a group, but feel free to bring your own snacks.  We will nail down these details more, and figure out a plan for cooking pans, etc.

      ~Think about weight when you're packing because your bags WILL be big!  To stabilize your pack, put heavier items close to your back so they're not pulling away from you and your center of gravity stays low.  Often your sleeping bag goes in the bottom of the pack and the sleeping pad and tent are clipped to the outside.  But these are things you don't want wet and snow equals wet.  A good solution?  Use a plastic garbage bag as a pack liner to protect the sleeping bag and clothing, and put another bag over your sleeping pad.  The minimal extra weight is worth being warm and dry.  Sometimes I even wear a grocery bag on each foot inside my winter boots to ensure my feet are dry when I get in my sleeping bag.

      ~Most tent stakes don't work great in snow, but there are other ways to make it work.  Check out the attached pages from Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.

      ~A nice treat before bed is boiling water and filling up a Nalgene with it, which will keep you extra warm in your sleeping bags.  Just make sure it seals well!!!

       

      Please please please call me if you have ANY questions or suggestions!

       

      Hannah Whitney

      (970)497-6768