Snowshoe Gear List R. Hintzman - 23 Feb 08

The following is a list of gear for snowshoeing. Some are must haves and some are nice to haves but not necessary. I will indicate which is which and also some tips as well. My theory is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. If you've got it, bring it. We can refine what we actually carry the morning of the hike based upon the conditions we are faced with. The intent is to be prepared for contingencies and make the activity more enjoyable by avoiding unnecessary discomfort. If there are questions please contact me at your convenience. 602 326-7481

Category Item Recommendation Comments Footwear Hard shell Nice to have mountaineering boots Water proof Hiking boots Best to have if you don't have the mountaineering boot Sorel type water proof 3rd best to have Nice and warm and OK for snowshoeing and insulated winter if you don't have but aren't very good if we end up boots any water proof walking very far on hard surfaces. boots Thick wool socks or Must have If you have room in your boots, and as several pair thin long as you don't restrict circulation, layer up to keep your feet warm.

Snow shoes sized per Must have Make sure that you fit them up to the weight boots you are going to wearing ahead of time so that know that they will work and you can get them on right the first time on the mountain when you hands are cold. Vapor barriers Nice to have Worn between an inner sock and an outer sock to prevent perspiration from soaking the outer sock and destroying its ability to insulate your foot. If your feet don't sweat much this shouldn't be an issue. Trekking poles with snow Must have Makes it a whole lot easier baskets or ski poles

Gaiters Must have Full calf length gaiters are the best. Scree gaiters are better than nothing and can keep snow and ice out of your boots.

Clothing In general Dress in layers with self wicking materials especially next to your skin. Sweaty clothes next to your skin will cause chilling when you stop. Avoid cotton clothing Long thermal underwear Must have Long pants Must have I like to wear nylon zip offs even if I'm wearing long underwear so that I can Snowshoe Gear List R. Hintzman - 23 Feb 08 Category Item Recommendation Comments cool off easier if it gets hot. And it could get hot if it is sunny and the air is still. Water proof or repellant Must have Full side zips are the best since they pants (rain) preferably can be removed or donned without breathable such as Gore- removing boots. crampons or Tex snowshoes. Several light long sleeve Must have Multiple lighter layers allow finer tuning tops of insulation. It's always best to keep yourself on the cool side. Being too hot saps your energy (and you're going to need all you can get) and causes you to perspire which increases dehydration and chilling when you stop. Remember, you're going to have a heavy parka in the top of your pack to put on when we stop to prevent you from going from cool to cold. Medium weight fleece or Must have sweater Heavy weight fleece or Nice to have light jacket Water proof or repellant Must have wind breaker (rain) preferably breathable such as Gore-Tex Lightweight visor cap or Must have full brimmed hat Heavy fleece or wool cap Must have or hat Glove liners or thin Nice to have gloves Heavy gloves such as ski Must haves gloves Balaclava or face mask Nice to have Something to keep your neck and face warm, especially if’s real cold and windy

Safety Two way radio tuned to Must have Keeps us all in touch when we get channel 6 separated. Surveyors tape - day glo Must have Used for marking routes by tying off to orange or other bright trees or rocks so that route can be contrasting color identified upon return Headlamp or flashlight Must have Make sure it works and you have spare batteries. Lithium batteries are nice since they are little lighter and work at lower temps that alkaline batteries. Downside is that they are more expensive. Compass Must have Map Must have I'll provide maps to those who need them GPS Nice to have I'll have one to make sure we can find our way back to the vehicles if we get white out conditions. Again, make sure Snowshoe Gear List R. Hintzman - 23 Feb 08 Category Item Recommendation Comments it works and you have spare batteries Emergency Whistle Must have Snow shovel Nice to have 3' Wands with flagging Nice to have Allows route marking where there are no trees or rocks to tie surveyors tape. Mobile phone Nice to have

Large daypack or small Must have Must be large enough to carry food, internal frame backpack water, extra clothes, seating pad, layers that will be removed and a heavy parka Pack Straps or cord to tie off Must have If we need to remove our snowshoes to snowshoes walk on ice or rocks and dirt we need some way to carry them. Check out your lashing method ahead of time so that you know it will work effectively. Heavy jacket or parka Must have Large enough to fit over other clothing. preferably with hood Placed in top of pack and worn during rest stops to prevent chilling Extra socks Must have In case your feet get wet form melting snow or perspiration. Foam pad Must have Thick enough to provide good insulation when seated on snow or ice during breaks and lunch

Personal SPF 15 or better Must have Helps protect your skin when its cold sunscreen too. SPF 15 or better lip balm Must have If it gets sunny your lips will suffer. or chap stick Helps protect your skin when its cold too. Camera Nice to have Anytime you are in the mountains in the winter there are going to be some great photo ops. Again make sure that you have extra batteries and film or memory as the case may be Good sun glasses with Must have Let's pray for sun! full UV protection and good wrap around protection Goggles with yellow lens Nice to have If it is snowing goggles will keep the snow out of your eyes better than glasses and the yellow lens will help provide more contrast in snowy or foggy conditions. Toilet kit Must Have Toilet paper with ziplocks for used TP and wet wipes Foot Care kit Nice to have Moleskin, blister pads, etc Chemical heat packs Nice to have Emergency space bag or Nice to have Bivy sack Snowshoe Gear List R. Hintzman - 23 Feb 08 Category Item Recommendation Comments Kachina Peaks Must have Sign with your name, vehicle license Backcountry permit (or number and emergency contact copy number. Place one copy on vehicle dash and carry a second with hyour photo ID. Picture ID Must have Required with Kachina Peaks Backcountry Permit

Nalgene bottles or similar Must have Camelbacks or similar can freeze up in insulated carrying and become useless if the weather is container cold. (Ask Bill, he learned the hard way) Water 3-4 quarts Must have Hydration is very important with the combination of strenuous activity, elevation and dry air. Small stove, fuel, pot Nice to have w/lid, lighter, matches, coffee filters to filter out sediment if melting snow

Plenty of food for the Must have Take more than you think you will need entire day in case we spend more time that we planned Food Hot liquid Nice to have A non breakable insulated container of hot soup or tea is nice if the day is particularly cold. Coffee is nice too but remember, it is a diuretic. High Energy food Nice to have Lots of calories for the weight and quick assimilation Fatty foods Nice if its cold Fatty foods covert quickly to heat energy which is nice if it's particularly cold. Hot chocolate packets, Nice to have if tea bags, spiced cider, you bring a stove cup-of-soup packets, cups, spoons