Are you going on a winter trip in the mountains, and wondering what to pack in your backpack? Here is a suggestion for clothes and equipment you should have with you when skiing from cabin to cabin in the winter mountains.
The weather in the mountains changes quickly and can be very demanding, so you must be prepared for extreme situations.
An equipment without skis/boots/poles/food/drink will weigh a total between 10 - 14 kg. With clothes on the body, the weight of the backpack goes down to about 8 kg.
This is what you wear on your winter trip:
Warm and windproof clothing is mandatory on winter trips. Necessary equipment and extra clothes must also be carried in the backpack.
Wool underwear, sweater, socks, longs (wool boxes and bras)
A wool sweater or fleece as a mid-layer
Windproof jacket and trousers
Hat, neck, gloves or wind mittens with wool mittens inside
Ski boots
Leggings
Backcountry skis and poles with wide pulley
Backpack with suitable volume for contents, 55-70 liters
This is what you need to have in your backpack:
Clothes
Extra hat, neck, mittens and socks in wool
One change of wool underwear, possibly light indoor clothes if you don't want to wear wool underwear to the cabin
Light indoor shoes/slippers.
Thicker wool sweater and possibly a down jacket
Rain gear, if the windbreaker is not waterproof, in case the weather is mild
Equipment
Waterproof stuff sack that fits in your backpack
Windsack
Shovel/probe, possibly transmitter/receiver for steep terrain
Sleeping bag (sufficiently warm), and sheet bag (for use in the cabin)
Sleeping pad
First aid kits with e.g. blister plasters/sports tape
With two changes of wool underwear, you have one set on a trip and the other inside the cabin. If necessary, rinse/wash the underwear when you are at the cabin, hang it in the drying room and you have it clean and dry until the next day.
"Light indoor clothing" can be a thin/light microfiber pant in addition to the extra set of wool underwear.
Feel free to wear bivouac shoes (down/synthetic fiber) as light indoor shoes. Provides safety when wearing BC ski boots that can freeze to binding.
Heated jacket provides quick and effective warmth during breaks. Wear over an outer jacket in dry weather.
Outerwear in windproof cotton or microfibre will often provide better moisture transport than all-weather clothing. You must then consider the weather forecast and possibly have rain gear in your backpack.
Transmitter/receiver is recommended for trips in avalanche-prone terrain. Practice using your avalanche equipment before the trip!
In addition to searching for avalanches, a probe is also useful for assessing whether a snow cornice is large enough to dig into.
A windsack, a sufficiently warm sleeping bag and sleeping mat must always be included. This saves lives every winter.
Do not leave a mobile phone at home. Even if you don't always have coverage, and your batteries wear out in the winter cold, your phone will be an important part of your safety equipment. Bring extra battery, or charging equipment.
Tips for packing the backpack itself
Everything should be packed in the backpack, with the exception of light items (such as sleeping mats).
Place heavy objects against your back. In the summer, many people prefer to leave the heaviest things high in the backpack.
Place the sleeping bag at the bottom.
Keep things you need during the trip (rainwear, change, food, camping stove and the like) easily accessible in top lids and side pockets.
Of course, you have a map and compass, or GPS, in your pocket or in a separate map folder.
Wrap your things in plastic bags or waterproof packing bags and it will stay dry in case of rain.
Make sure that the weight is evenly distributed on both sides of the pack.
Feel free to keep a snack in your jacket pocket, and drink close at hand.
Have a system of what you put where, so it's easy to find your way around when you need it.
Pakkelister
Enten du skal på sommertur, vintertur, topptur eller dagstur kan det være nyttig med tips til hva du bør ha med i sekken. Her finner du alle våre anbefalte pakkelister.
