Category: essentials

backpackingcampingessentialsThe art of winter campingultralight backpacking

Chapter 1: Safety and Planning for Winter Adventures

on January 8, 2025

A few people have been caught out in the cold this year alone in Northern Sweden on their hiking trips; even with emergency SOS devices, maps, and contacts, these unfortunate hikers froze to death. That is the reality of hiking, especially winter hiking if you go into these situations unprepared. And even if you are prepared, the risk in winter hiking is still very real. You have to be prepared for even the worst outcomes. In one of these unfortunate accidents, the hiker, even with an SOS device sending a GPS signal, no emergency service could get to him in time because of the storms that had trapped him. I want to start my deep dive into winter hiking by stressing this point: Be prepared, even for the worst-case scenario, and don’t expect somebody to come out and save you if things turn for the worse.

So my first chapter and parts here in my Mastering ultralight winter hiking series will be specifically based on safety protocols and navigation.

Part 1: Safey and planning

Embarking on winter adventures requires careful attention to safety and meticulous planning, especially when embracing ultralight camping principles. Preparation is key to addressing the unique challenges of cold weather, snow-covered landscapes, and potentially harsh conditions. This chapter delves into essential practices that lay a foundation for safe and effective experiences in the wilderness during winter months. By prioritizing thorough preparation and understanding the nuances of winter camping, adventurers can ensure both safety and enjoyment amidst nature’s more intense elements.

This text will guide readers through establishing an emergency contact plan, a fundamental aspect of winter adventure safety. It emphasizes selecting reliable individuals who can act swiftly in emergencies, maintaining clear communication protocols, and integrating regular check-ins into your routine. Additional focus is given to identifying trustworthy contacts, ensuring their availability, and understanding the value of local knowledge and relevant skills. This approach prepares explorers for potential risks and fosters a support network, enhancing overall preparedness and confidence while navigating winter terrains. The strategies outlined aim to empower beginners and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, equipping them with the tools needed for a secure and memorable experience in the winter wilderness.

Importance of Creating an Emergency Contact Plan

Establishing an emergency contact plan ensures safety in ultralight winter camping. Having reliable contacts can significantly enhance your safety and peace of mind when adventuring into the wilderness, particularly under challenging winter conditions. These individuals are pivotal in acting swiftly if something goes wrong, ensuring that emergency responses are prompt and appropriate.

In selecting your emergency contacts, focus on identifying trustworthy individuals who understand the significance of their role. They should be reliable and available to act decisively in unexpected situations. This implies not just availability but also the willingness to intervene when necessary. The dependability of your contacts directly influences the effectiveness of any response during emergencies.

Developing clear communication protocols is another crucial aspect of an emergency plan. Communicating your location and plans effectively reduces confusion, ensuring clarity during emergencies, which can expedite search and rescue operations. For instance, you might consider utilizing devices such as satellite phones or personal locator beacons (PLBs) that work efficiently in remote areas where traditional mobile networks may fail. These tools guarantee that your position is continually known and that you can send distress signals when required. The key is ensuring that all parties understand how these communication tools function and the specific scenarios in which they’ll be used.

Integrating set check-in times into your communication protocol is also vital. Scheduling regular check-ins ensures that your chosen contacts are updated on your status, safeguarding your well-being. For example, before heading out, you could agree on specific times and intervals for these check-ins, such as sending updates upon reaching particular landmarks or whenever practical, given weather conditions and itinerary specifics. This habit ensures someone is always aware of your last known location, acting as an early warning system should a check-in be missed. Moreover, these check-in arrangements enhance personal responsibility and encourage consistent progress monitoring.

Creating a comprehensive emergency contact list is another step in preparing a robust safety system. This list must be easily accessible, both digitally and physically. While electronic formats offer convenience and ease of updating, it’s wise to have physical copies available in case digital devices fail or power sources become unavailable. Ensure that this list contains up-to-date information, including names, phone numbers, email addresses, and any additional details like medical conditions or preferences pertinent in emergencies.

Finally, understanding the broader context and risks associated with ultralight winter camping enhances the effectiveness of your emergency contact plan. Familiarizing yourself with potential hazards—from severe weather changes to navigation challenges—allows you to prepare more thoroughly and adapt your plan to meet those needs. Discuss these potential scenarios with your contacts so they are well informed about the nature of your excursion.

Implementing a rigorous emergency contact plan creates a safety net that protects against unpredictable winter camping challenges. Ensuring the selection of reliable individuals, setting clear communication standards, maintaining regular check-ins, and keeping updated contact lists is a comprehensive safety approach. These strategies mitigate risks and empower you to enjoy the beauty and serenity of winter adventures with greater confidence and security.

Setting Check-in Times

Scheduling regular check-ins with your contacts is crucial in ensuring safety and communication during an ultralight winter camping expedition. This practice involves updating your chosen contacts on your location and condition at scheduled intervals, providing consistent information and support throughout your adventure. The effectiveness of this strategy hinges on several key factors, which we will explore below.

Firstly, these regular updates are vital in informing your contacts about your current location and overall condition. By maintaining a steady flow of information, you ensure those on the ground have an accurate understanding of your journey’s progress and any potential challenges you might face. This could be as simple as sending a text or making a quick call to share your GPS coordinates, allowing contacts to track your movements and be prepared to assist if needed. Consistent communication is especially important in remote areas where unforeseen changes in weather or terrain can rapidly alter plans.

Moreover, having scheduled check-ins acts as an early warning system. If you miss a designated check-in time, it immediately signals your contacts that something may be amiss. In such instances, they can initiate appropriate measures based on predetermined protocols to ensure your well-being. This system mitigates risks by providing timely intervention and offers peace of mind, knowing there is a safety net if things go awry.

Timing considerations are essential when setting up your check-in schedule. Selecting appropriate times that align with your camping routine and environmental conditions is vital. For instance, scheduling check-ins during breaks or meal times when you are momentarily stationary and have stable communication access might be more practical. Adverse weather conditions may impact signal availability, so incorporating flexibility into timing can help accommodate unexpected delays or difficulties in connecting with your contacts.

The primary goal is to establish a convenient and effective routine without being overly burdensome or disruptive to your camping experience. As adjustments may be necessary, feedback from team members or fellow campers can further refine the frequency and timing of these check-ins, making them more responsive to real-time conditions and personal preferences.

While planning check-ins, employing multiple communication methods, where possible, also boosts reliability. Using digital and physical means like satellite phones, GPS devices with messaging capabilities, or low-tech options like leaving marker notes at designated waypoints can strengthen communication, ensuring messages reach intended recipients across various circumstances.

Additionally, staying flexible with your check-in procedures is critical. As you gain more experience or if your journey deviates significantly from initial plans, revisit and adjust your check-in strategies to align with new realities. This adaptability ensures your methods remain efficient and responsive, enhancing safety and enjoyment during your winter adventure.

Concluding Thoughts

This chapter explores the essential steps for establishing a robust foundation for safe and efficient ultralight winter camping. A well-planned emergency contact plan is central to this preparation, ensuring you have reliable communication links in place should an unexpected situation arise. By selecting trustworthy contacts familiar with your plans and capable of acting decisively in emergencies, you build a network that enhances safety and provides peace of mind. Simple measures like setting clear check-in schedules contribute significantly to maintaining a consistent flow of information, keeping all parties updated on your status, and serving as an early warning system if plans go astray.

We’ve also discussed the importance of adaptability and using available technology to support these strategies effectively. Whether it’s incorporating satellite phones or personal locator beacons or simply being aware of local conditions through informed contacts, these tools help ensure your position is known and that aid can arrive swiftly if needed. Regularly reviewing and updating your emergency plans and contact lists is vital to keeping them effective and relevant, allowing you to focus on enjoying the beauty of winter camping while feeling secure in your preparedness. As you venture into the winter wilderness, these carefully laid plans enable you to embrace the adventure with confidence and assurance.

The next chapter will discuss Navigation Strategies Using Digital and Analog Tools. So that you can navigate your way through the mountains even if your digital gear breaks down. (which happens often in winter camping – the cold kills batteries)

Reference List

A Hiking Emergency Evac Plan—What to Do When a Crisis Strikes. (n.d.). Www.mossyoak.com. https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/a-hiking-emergency-evac-plan-what-to-do-when-a-crisis-strikes

Huden, Z. (2024, October 13). 4 Winter Camping Safety Tips for All Skill Levels. Cascade Designs. https://cascadedesigns.com/de-eu/blogs/thermarest-tips/winter-camping-safety-tips-all-skill-levels?srsltid=AfmBOoorUNq6ICoJE8cXP6aokXD8GsJlUYG7oxiKtIOPxhN1ghbA1Jwb

Prohens, L. (2024, June 18). Effective Communication in Crisis Situations: The Role of Language Services | Global Interpreting Network. Global Interpreting Network. https://globalinterpreting.com/blog/effective-communication-in-crisis-situations-the-role-of-language-services/

Simon, T., Goldberg, A., & Adini, B. (2015, October). Socializing in emergencies—A review of the use of social media in emergency situations. International Journal of Information Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2015.07.001

The Power of Check-Ins: 7 Proven Strategies. (2024, April 25). https://easy.jobs/blog/proven-strategies-of-routine-check-ins/

greggwirth. (2022, October 5). Custom & Advisory: Regular Check-ins on work & well-being are at the nexus of associate retention, say CTOs. Thomson Reuters Institute. https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en-us/posts/legal/custom-advisory-check-ins-retention/

backpackingcampingessentialsGoing LighterThe art of winter camping

Introduction: Mastering the Art of Ultralight Winter Camping

on January 4, 2025

As many of you may know, or perhaps not. Probably, the majority of my hiking trips are in the winter. A combination of skis, snowmobile and snowshoes, I love being in the outdoors during the winter months. Especially once the shit parts of late October to January are over, and there is a nice layer of ice and snow covering everything. These are the months when the sun is out a little longer, and the beautiful landscapes of northern Sweden can be explored to their fullest. I have finally decided to sit down and start writing a series on ultralight winter hiking, or at least as light as one dares in -30 degree weather and still be alive and comfortable.

In this definitive 5-part blog series on ultralight winter camping, a time to explore the beauty and serenity of winter landscapes without being weighed down by excess gear. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker looking to refine your skills or a budding adventurer eager to experience the freedom of ultralight packing, this series is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and insights needed for a successful and safe expedition.

Releasing twice weekly, each installment will delve into critical aspects of ultralight winter camping, guiding you step-by-step through the essentials. We begin our journey focusing on Safety and Planning, covering the different components of trip preparation and risk management in harsh winter conditions. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for successfully exploring some of the world’s most magnificent snowscapes.

The series proceeds to tackle the necessities of Tents and Bivies, where you’ll learn how to choose the lightest, most effective shelter options to protect you from the elements while maximizing mobility. Following this, we’ll explore the complexities of Clothing Layering for Hiking and Camp, offering strategies to balance warmth, comfort, and weight efficiently.

In our fourth installment, attention turns to Sleeping Systems, where we’ll uncover the secrets of staying warm at night with minimal gear, examining the best sleeping bags, quilts, and mats for ultralight adventurers. Finally, we address an often underestimated aspect of outdoor survival: Nutrition on the Trail. You’ll discover how to fuel your body with high-energy, light, and effective nutrition.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and practical know-how, empowering you to confidently venture into pristine winter wilderness with the assurance that comes from thorough preparation and smart strategies. Whether traversing familiar trails or pioneering new routes, our series has the insights you need to thrive in the cold while embracing the ethos of ultralight winter camping. Stay tuned, and get ready to unleash the explorer within!

backpackingenlightened equipmentessentialsGoing Lighterkids

Vandra lätt med små barn.

on April 18, 2023

Karl-Johan Piehl, van fjällfarare och tillika författaren bakom böcker såsom Sarek National Park Guide och Sarek – Vandring, löpning & klättring med lättviktspackning delar här sina erfarenheter efter en Sarekvandring med barn, 6 och 8 år gamla. Det här är hans story.

Sommaren 2022 begav jag mig genom Sarek i 10 dagar med mina barn, då 6 och 8 år gamla. Två vänner följde med oss på turen och vandringen blev fantastiskt lyckad. Barnen är fjällvana, gillar att gå och har tillbringat mycket tid i fjällen under hela sin uppväxt. Efter att vi sommaren 2021 gjort ett stort antal toppturer i Härjedalsfjällen hade barnen visat sig vara redo för längre turer med mer komplexa inslag såsom Sarek ofta bjuder på. Den största utmaningen var nog inte för barnen, utan för mig som vuxen att göra en bra planering. Barnen stortrivs på fjället, och livet är enkelt där. Vikten på ryggsäcken är en begränsande faktor för hur länge vi klarar vara ute. Här följer aspekter kring hur jag resonerat.

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Karl Johan med familj i Bierikvarasj

Förutsättningar jag ville få till för en lyckad tur

  • Storslagen miljö som lämnar intryck.
  • Barnen ska känna sig starka och kompetenta på fjället. Därför ska de bära så lite packning som möjligt, helst inget.
  • Inga hungriga barn, de ska ha välplanerad mat de kan äta i adekvat mängd.
  • Vi ska ha bra utrustning och kläder anpassade för kalla temperaturer, vind, väta och dåligt väder.
  • Barnens kläder ska lämna utrymme för lite slarv med väta och smuts.
  • Tidsschemat för turen ska ha goda marginaler.
  • Barnen ska ha så fria vingar som möjligt, dvs uppmuntras ta egna beslut, styra tempo och inte radiostyras av en vuxen.
  • Jag bär så lite som möjligt.
En tarp i dcf fungerar som ett vind och regnskydd vid pauser och vid tältlägret. Tarpen på bild är från svenska Skalmo Gear

Packning

  • 6åringen bar en ryggsäck med alla sina kläder som vägde cirka 2kg.
  • 8åringen bar en ryggsäck med alla sina kläder som vägde cirka 2.2kg.
  • Jag bar en ryggsäck som vägde cirka 35kg, fick dock avlastning av en vän första 3 dagarna på turen. Maten vägde 25kg, övriga grejer cirka 10kg.

Fritt fram att räkna på vad som hänt med ryggsäcksvikter här ovan om vi använt mer traditionell fjällpackning, låt säga 10-15kg var i basvikt (exklusive mat).

Övre Rapadalen

Klädsystem för mig som vuxen: ett par ullstrumpor, syntetkallingar, löptights, ullunderställströja, vindtröja, keps, solglasögon och trailrunningskor. Förstärkningskläder: termobyxor, dunjacka, syntetdunjacka, mössa, fleecehandskar, regnställ, goretexstrumpor och regnskalvantar. Extrakläder: ett par ullstrumpor.

Klädsystem för barnen: ett par ullstrumpor, syntetkallingar, tunna softshellbyxor, ullunderställströja, vindtröja, keps, solglasögon och trailrunningskor. Förstärkningskläder: termobyxor, tjock syntetdunjacka, fleecetröja, mössa, myggnät, montagehandskar, fleecehandskar, regnställ, goretexstrumpor och regnskalvantar. Extrakläder: två par ullstrumpor, ett par syntetkallingar, ett par extra softshellbyxor. Fryspåsar att ha i skorna vid läger.

Varje detalj i klädsystemen har jag valt ut efter bästa förmåga för att vara så lätt som möjligt men ändå fylla sin funktion. I stort sett ser valen liknande ut för mig som vuxen som för barnen, undantaget att de fick kraftigare regnbyxor, mer extrakläder och tjockare förstärkningsplagg än mig. Till barn är det dock betydligt svårare att hitta bra lättviktsprodukter. Mycket av deras klädsystem köptes i slutänden från gneis.se som är bland de bästa tillverkarna jag kunnat hitta för barnfriluftskläder. Själv väljer jag ofta kläder från bland andra Rab, Salomon, OMM, Enlightened equipment, inov8, patagonia, mountain hardware mm. Ofta kläder för löpning.

Underkläder, och även barnens byxor fick jag tvätta ett par gånger längs vägen och sedan torka i armhålan eftersom utemiljön inte bjöd på torkmöjligheter.

Sovsystem

  • Tält: zpack triplex. Inköpt specifikt för turen och numera mitt enda tält. Det finns flera saker som kan göras bättre vad gäller design och slittålighet, men samtidigt så är det ett fullt fungerande 3p-fjälltält som väger 700 gram. Det är svårt att konkurrera med.
  • Varsin vuxensovsäck fyllda med 3-400gram 800+FP dun. Barnen har inte egna sovsäckar då jag har flera sen tidigare.
  • 2st 3mm cellplastliggunderlag från skalmo kombinerat med 2 st therm-a-rest uberlight
  • 1st therm-a-rest neoair
  • Vi sover med thermobyxor, syntetdunjacka, mössa och strumpor på
Kartläsning

Ryggsäckar

Barnen hade varsin 16l ryggsäck från vaude som väger in på cirka 300 gram. Min ryggsäck är en 10 år gammal 75l ryggsäck som en kompis sytt till mig i x-pack. Den rymde maten, övrig utrustning fick fästas utanpå initialt.

Övrig utrustning

Stavar till mig och barnen, microspikes till mig och barnen, Garmin inreach, tarp från skalmo för raster och läger, drybags för kläder och sovsäckar, första hjälpen, myggmedel, hygienartiklar, lagningsgrejer, solkräm, kondenstrasa, telefon, klocka, kameror, powerbanks, laddkablar, betalkort, läsplatta, karta och kompass.

Mat

Enskilt viktigaste posten att lyckas med. Jag räknade på hur mycket energi barnen behövde och kom fram till cirka 2500-2700kcal per dygn. Månaderna innan avresa torkade jag mat hemma som barnen fick prova. Mycket inspiration från boken “Snabblagat på tur” av Eric Tornblad. All mat portionsförpackades i ziplockpåsar, var livsmedel för sig. Exempelvis torkade köttbullar, skinka, fetaost, ketchup, oliver, rivna morötter, ost, pasta, tonfisk, köttfärssås mm. Köpte även med en större mängd godis, chips, varm choklad, nyponsoppa, dextrosol, sportdryck, kakor mm. I slutänden hade vi med oss cirka 2.5kg mat med låg vattenhalt per dygn för oss tre, och det var mitt i prick.

Eftersom all mat var förberedd för att endast behöva tillsättas kokande vatten behövde vi inget kök för avancerad matlagning. Min to-go-brännare Soto windmaster med tillhörande 650ml toaks titankastrull och 550 gram gas räckte gott och väl för oss i 10 dagar. Maten åt vi ur findus soppskålar med titanskedar. Utöver det hade vi plastmuggar för varm dryck, och vattenflaskor för vatten.

Camp med Ahkka bakom

För mycket packning

Vi saknade inga grejer under turen, men vissa saker kunde göras bättre. Barnen ligger dåligt på uppblåsbara liggunderlag. Ofta fungerade liggunderlaget som täcke istället – eller bara utfyllnadsmaterial i tältet. Framöver blir det bara cellplatstliggunderlag, 10-15mm tjockt. Barnen hade inte behövt fleecetröjor, myggnät eller solglasögon. Eventuellt hade även microspikes kunnat lämnats hemma, de är dock sköna att ha i svåra vad och i blöt blockterräng. 8 av 10 dagar hade vi lätt regn, kalla temperaturer och ibland vind. Mitt eget klädsystem var jag trygg med sen innan, men barnen fick prova sina – vilka fungerade bra. För kortare fjällturer med god väderprognos hade vi kunnat skala bort en del.

Vad

Det finns många olika aspekter kring att passera vattendrag. Vi gick genom Sarek i början av Juli och startade vår vandring direkt efter den värsta snösmältningen var klar. Det innebar att vi de första två dagarna hade mer vatten än normalt. Barnen är dock vana i terräng och kunde stabilt korsa de flesta vattendrag utan hjälp av vuxen. De växte under turen och upplevde sig ha god kontroll. Jag gick oftast strax nedströms och samtidigt som dem som extra säkerhet. Över de kraftigaste vattendragen höll de mig i handen, vilket nog inte var nödvändigt. Två vattendrag bar jag dem över. Som vuxen tror jag det är nödvändigt att vara van vid vad för att göra adekvata bedömningar kring vad som är lämpligt eller inte om man ska göra såna här turer. Snöbryggor över bäckar höll vi oss borta från, det är alldeles för farligt.

Vad i Rouhtesvagge

Dagsetapper

För oss är 10-15km per dag lagom dagsetapp, det går dem gladeligen. Barnen och jag har förmåga att gå betydligt längre än så i obanad terräng, men vi ville ha gott om tid för lek, utforskande och sidoutflykter.

Ekonomi

Vår Sarektur med utgångspunkt från Stockholm kostade hutlösa summor pengar. Tågbiljetter 5.5k, bussresor cirka 2.5k, båt och övernattning 4,5k och vi gjorde även ett helikopterlyft upp på fjället för 5.2k för att få en enklare och roligare start för barnen. Utöver detta tillkom utrustning som barnen visserligen kan använda hemmavid också – men en hel del är i mina ögon väl lyxigt för hemmabruk. Som tur är hade jag mycket av utrustningen sen tidigare. För en del kanske det är normalt att två veckors semester kostar 25-30k. Men det går inte att påstå att det är billigt att ta familjen till Sarek. För mig som ensamstående förälder med ett normalt jobb är det prioriteringar som gäller för att en sån här resa ska vara görbar. Hyra stuga med dagsturer från Härjedalen kan ge en fin och betydligt billigare fjällsemester, men inte lika storslagen natur!

Hjälpmedel för turplanering

För dig som är intresserad av Sarek på egen hand eller med barnen vill jag tipsa om min sarekguidebok som bland annat säljs på backpackinglight.se: Sarek: vandring, löpning och klättring med lättviktspackning. Där finns detaljerade färdvägar i Sareks dalgångar, och jag vågar påstå att det inte någon annanstans finns mer precisa eller omfattande ruttbeskrivningar för Sareks högalpina områden än de jag redogör för i min bok. Utöver det så finns även all utrustning beskrivet här ovan nedbrutet i detaljer som kan leda dig till korrekta och konkreta val av lämplig utrustning.

backpackingblogcampingessentialsGear list

My winter sleep system for ultralight hiking

on January 18, 2019

Sleeping good in the winter

 

Keeping warm is essential to sleeping good. Hypothermia and freezing to death is not a fun past time. In the summer it’s easier to get along with Ultralight gear and probably survive.. Chances are good… In the winter however, things are different. Especially in areas like northern Sweden where I live – here the temperatures can easily drop to -30c in the winter. It’s important to be prepared and have a relatively good idea of what your doing. Here I will go over some of the details that helps keep me warm and comfortable during the winter months on longer treks:

 

  1. Sleep system
  2. Shelter
  3. Clothing
  4. Food before bed
  5. Run around for warmth
  6. Pee bottle
  7. Extra bottles for foot warmer in the morning

 

A also made a video of this article that you can watch below: 

 

Sleep system:

 

First on my list is the sleep system – this is by far the most important aspect of sleeping warm and safe in the winter. All parts of the sleep system must work in order for the whole to work. With a sleep system I mean of course the Sleeping mat and Sleeping bag.

My system for winter hiking looks something like this with an example of a week long unsupported trip in minus 20 to 40 degrees:

 

  1. Thick evazote mat – 14mm – this I usually have directly on the ground as I use floorless shelters most of the time. I can also use a double wide evazote mat which can also work as a nice wide ground sheet as well.
  2. Thermarest xTherm sleeping pad – added warmth and comfort. The xTherm isn’t really necessary when using a thick 14mm evazote mat, in fact I know a few people who use their summer pads or xLite in the deep winter without any problems. The 14mm evazote is warm enough on it’s own. The blow up pad is an extra comfort. Don’t skimp on the sleeping mat – it’s just as if not more important than a proper sleeping bag.
  3. I have three bags in total – known of them are meant for extreme weather. So I stack them. I have a Sierra designs cloud 800 0c degree bag, an As Tucas sestrals synthetic quilt – rated at about 0c as well, and a Sierra designs nitro 0F (-18c). In Sweden, anything warmer than a 0c bag has very little use except for in the warmest two weeks of the year unless summer is just extreme. With the Cloud 800 and As Tucas Sestrals, these bags are fantastic for the Swedish climate. In anycase, if I know I will be in – 30c or colder for extended periods than I stack my Nitro and as tucas quilt giving me a warmth that stretches down to about -35.

 

Here is a rather decent stacking guide that I stole from Enlightened Equipment:

 

Quilt/Bag Ratings 50ºF 40ºF 30ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF
50ºF 30ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF
40ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF
30ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF
20ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF
10ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30 -40
0ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF

 

This is in Farenheit, for our purposes it works – just keep in mind that Celcius and Farenheit meet at -40, 0 Fahrenheit is equal to -18 Celcius. 32 Fahrenheit is equal to 0 celcius.

I rarely use my Sierra designs nitro -18c bag – I prefer to stack as it’s usually a warmer option in almost every situation.

For temperatures between 0c and -20 I usually go with my two summer quilts – Cloud 800 and As tucas sestrals.

Skärmavbild 2019-01-18 kl. 06.23.48.png
xTherm on the bottom, Sierra designs cloud 800 35 in middle and as tucas sestrals apex 167 quilt on top. A great winter layering system

 

No matter which solution I choose – I always have the synthetic quilt on top of the down bag as synthetic handles the extra moisture much better than down does.

 

Shelter:

Bayard-winter-1.jpg
Picture stolen from the interwebs – Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2

Shelter systems in the winter, much like summer can vary – my main recommendation is to find a tent that can handle everything. Wind, rain, snow – and is relatively easy to set up. I prefer the Hyperlite mountain gear Ultamid 2 or 4 for winter use. It’s the most solid winter tent I’ve ever used and gives me a lot of space to really live like a king. I know a few people such as Jörgen Johansson over at Fjäderlätt who likes his Black diamond Firstlight – even though it’s a tad small for him. I also like the Firstlight, but I don’t like how my head and feet mush the sides creating a lot of extra wetness on my bag and clothing. There are of course advantages to a free standing tent in the winter. If you don’t care too much about weight than there are tons of solutions out there with Hilleberg Suolo coming to mind among others.

In anycase, while a shelter is certainly important with a winter system, you could just as well bring a shovel and build a snow cave, or find a large pine and sleep under the snow drift. I prefer even the beauty of sleeping under the stars if weather permits.

 

Clothing:

 

If planned properly, your winter clothing can easily be a big part of your sleeping system – allowing you to leave one of your sleeping bags or quilts at home. This is a great solution for shorter trips where condensation is not going to be as big of a problem. If I’m leaving a quilt at home, which I can normally do in temperatures down to -10c. Than my winter sleep gear might comprise of the following:

  1. Wool long johns and long arm shirt
  2. Thick wool socks
  3. Fleece or wool sweater
  4. Down puffy jacket – something like the Cumulus incredilte – a great lightweight down puffy
  5. Down/synthetic puffy pants – The Omm Mountain raid pants are excellent synthetic pants as well as the Cumulus down basic pants
  6. Down/synthetic puffy socks
  7. Gloves
  8. Down/synthetic baklava or fleece beenie

 

This layering system gives me a lot of flexibility and warmth in camp – sometimes I even have two puffy down jackets with me depending on how low temperatures are expected to drop. This setup easily keeps me warm and comfortable walking around camp, as well as being part of my sleep system at night.

 

Food before bed

In the winter, keeping food and water in your system before going to bed is vital. Keeps the furnace burning hot for many hours. I try to load up on carbohydrates before bed, usually while lying in bed getting ready to sleep. This is usually in the form of pasta.

 

Run around

The way insulation in your sleep system works is that it keeps the warmth in. The more insulation the more warmth the sleep system is able to keep. The system itself does not create any warmth on it’s own. There is no heating element in your sleeping bag. This means that if you go to bed frozen, chances are the insulation will work more like refrigerator, keeping you nice and cold. This is why it’s important to get out and run a bit, or do jumping jacks, create a lot of internal heat before climbing into bed. Not so much that you are sweating, as the moisture will have an opposite effect.

This also falls in line with make sure you are ready for bed, before you actually climb in. Once you are in your sleeping bag or bags, body is warm, belly is full – make sure you stay in your bag. I have made the mistake a few times of being way too warm in my bag, got panicked and opened up the bag only to start freezing again.

 

Pee bottle

Staying tight in your sleep system is vital for overall comfort and warmth. This is also why a pee bottle is essential. Make sure you get a wide mouth bottle as this will help take away the guesswork and leave less room for error. The important aspect is to not open up your bag and climb out in order to go out and pee. Also, remember to keep a large volume bottle for this purpose as bodily fluids coming out in the winter are usually much more than at other times. It’s not unusual to pee close to a liters worth of fluid in the winter.

 

Extra bottles

In the winter, one of the biggest problems facing all hikers is keeping our feet and shoes warm. Some people place their shoes in the sleeping bag with them, others not so much. I fall into the category of “not so much”. I don’t want any moisture coming along with me into my sleeping bag. Not to mention, the wettest part of my entire system – my shoes. It is possible to keep your shoes in a water tight bag and put them in your sleeping bag with you. But then they are still wet in the morning. What works for me is a rather simple system: In the morning when I wake up, still tucked nice and warm in my sleeping bag, I cook water for my early morning coffee and breakfast and with that I cook extra water for two small water bottles. After I shake out as much of the frozen moisture as possible from my shoes, I then place the hot water bottles, one each, into each of my shoes. While I am eating breakfast, my shoes are getting nice and toasty – when I put my shoes on, my feet are encompassed with a warm and lovely feeling. Later on I have the added benefit of having two extra filled water bottles that I can drink while hiking.

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Small bottles are filled with warm water in the morning and used as feet warmers while I break down camp and eat breakfast. The bottles are then just regular water bottles during the day.  Picture stolen from http://www.fjaderlatt.se 

 

Practice

Before heading out on your trek across antarctica, it’s important to practice first, find what works for you and get comfortable with all the nuances of winter camping. Winter camping is both hell and joy at the sametime. Dangerous and fulfilling. Be smart and don’t take anything for granted. Just because you have this checklist doesn’t mean you are an expert – Theory and practice are two completely different things. This list will help you maximize your chances of success – but this is only a guide and not a guarantee. What works for me might not work for you.

A good place to practice is your backyard och nearby forest. Car camping is also a great starting place or in wind shelters. I spent a season or two just camping around in my local forest. My first backpacking trip in the winter once I was comfortable with my gear was a fairly popular mountain trail and I setup my tent about 50 meters from the different cottages. This way I could practice without putting myself in any major danger.

 

essentialsGear reviewstrekking poles

Gear review: Fizan compact trekking poles

on June 2, 2017

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a representative from Massdrop on writing a review for one of their upcoming massdrops. For those of you not familiar with massdrop it’s a community or social shopping network that sets up different products for ridiculously cheap prices. For example right now they have an 800 down Enlightened Equipment high quality quilt on sale for 189usd. So the prices are fantastic and the products on offer are often of the highest quality.

Being the kind of guy I am, I have no problems exchanging my time for products and doing a review as long as I can fit it into my schedule. Also it’s not unusual for me to get request to do reviews for products and companies in the USA as a lot of my visitors to this site come from the USA. (Not so strange considering I write in English and come from the USA myself).

With that said, I have known about Fizan as a company for some time as they make trekking poles that are known throughout Europe as a high quality brand. I’m not sure if the products exist in the USA, but in Italy and Europe they have been around since the 1950’s and still being made in Italy.

The timing for Debbie over at Massdrop couldn’t have been better as I was in the market for a new pair of trekking poles as I’m not completely happy with the ones I have. I was in the market for highly adjustable, lightweight, aluminum poles. (I keep breaking my Carbon fiber poles). Feeling I would be more than happy to sacrifice some weight for the added strength of Aluminum.

Weight:

Anyway, I got my Fizan compact trekking poles in the mail a few days ago and I was immediately surprised by the writing on the poles ”worlds lightest trekking poles 158grams”. I thought – bull… But to be honest they are the lightest adjustable poles on the market which is pretty awesome. (Correct me if I’m wrong here). My current carbon fibre adjustable poles weigh in at 184 grams each. These with the straps and baskets weigh 175grams. Take off the straps and baskets (which I normally do) and were down to 158grams each. Light.

R0260522
175 grams with the basket and strap on. Hard to find Carbon fiber adjustable poles at this weight.

Quality

As I stated I haven’t had a whole lot of time to test these out, I have been out a few nights and walked a total of about 65 kilometers with varying weight on my backpack and with two different tents. (The MLD Duomid and the MLD Trailstar). The poles have held up well (holding the tents up) even in some really heavy wind and rain on one of my nights out.

The Fizan compacts use a three part proprietary interlocking system, that they have been using for years in their compact system without problems. I find no reason to doubt this interlocking system.

To be honest, I have no real issues with the quality here, as I said before, Fizan is a well known brand and I have had their poles once upon a time a few years back, they never let me down. I don’t feel like this will be issue with these poles either.

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Looks and feel

I think these poles look good, as good as trekking poles can look that is. They are still old people sticks (joke from my book), but do what they are suppose to do. I have seen much uglier poles. They do however feel fantastic. Weight and balance and even the tiniest of attention to details really stand out. I like the feel of the straps and how small the poles pack down to due to the three part adjustable system.

The color on the Massdrop sale for these pole swill be blue and not the red that is seen in these pictures.

Size

My Fizan compacts are adjustable from 58 centimeters (23 inches) to about 132 centimeters (52 inches) maxed out. In other words perfect from any toddler sized human to about my size 190cm (6’3”).

 

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The Fizan sticks holding up an MLD Duomid + Innertent

Specs:

Weight with straps and basket: 178grams each

Height: 58cm (23 inches) – 132 centimenters (52 inches)

Material: 7001 Lightweight Aluminum

Locking: Proprietary Flexy internal locking system

Grips: Ergonomic EVA foam grip with rounded plastic top

3 sets of removable baskets: 35, 50, and 95 mm

Suggested price: $59.99

Massdrop start date: Monday, June 5 at 6 a.m. PST.

Address for the massdrop site and sticks:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-fizan-compact?utm_source=Iterable&iterableCampaignId=122529&iterableTemplateId=178324&utm_campaign=massdrop_x_fizan_compact_trekking_poles&mode=guest_open&referer=C9BLKJ&utm_medium=email

 

PROS:

Lightweight adjustable poles

Aluminum

Extra baskets

Cheap (to be honest, I’m surprised by the price on these.. This is cheap)

Great brand

Made in Italy

 

CONS:

Aluminum (You can get lighter with non-adjustable carbon fiber)

The tips on these are wider than standard trekking poles which means the pole extender on the MLD Duomid won’t work. That’s why in the picture above I use PVC piping instead of the carbon fiber pole extender.

Perhaps shouldn’t be used as ski poles…. . .


The Fizan compact poles are an excellent compliment to the MLD Trailstar as they are highly adjustable.

 

TO read more about these poles check out this excellent, detailed review:

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/1797/upcoming-massdrop-x-fizan-collaboration?utm_placement=3&referer=PYEQYA&mode=guest_open&utm_campaign=Automated%20Daily%20Promotional%202017-05-26&utm_source=SparkPost&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Daily%20Promotional&utm_content=1495797900732.028910651407058611965059

 

backpackingessentialsGearGoing Lighterultralight

The UL Jacket – Essential gear for any backpacker

on February 17, 2017

I once wrote an article a long time ago about the ultralight wind jacket and how I felt it was the single most important piece of gear for any backpacking regardless of your weight preferences. (Whether you enjoy ultralight or prefer being heavy and miserable.. ) I would like to propose that the second piece of essential gear for any backpacker would be an ultralight down jacket (synthetic works as well but usually heavier for the same warmth). For the last 3 years I have been using a lightweight down jacket that weighs at around 180grams for the XL size. (Haglöfs L.I.M essens down). I find this jacket much like the wind jacket allows me to leave a few extra layers at home. And the down jacket combined with a wind jacket is hard to beat in weight to warmth ratio.

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When I talk about ul down jacket I mean any down jacket under 200grams for a large size.

My typical three season layer scheme looks something like this:

Wool or bamboo fiber Shirt 150grams – main layer always on

Windjacket with hood 80grams – Always with me and depending on weather usually always on (in the nordic regions of the world)

Down jacket 188grams – I usually put my down jacket on the minute I stop for the day. It’s very rare that I actually need this while hiking.

Total weight: 418grams or about 1 lbs.

That’s it. That’s my entire upper layering system for most three season hikes. If it’s raining I put my rain jacket on (so fourth layer). And depending on how long I am gone I usually don’t bother with a an extra shirt to sleep in, unless I will be hiking in wet and cold regions. Also, as you can see, I don’t bother with sweaters or thicker shirts or anything else that usually becomes redundant and heavy when you have a light down or synthetic jacket. Most sweaters, wool or otherwise, are going to be heavier than a down jacket and won’t be anywhere near as warm.

This setup will easily keep me warm to down around 30 degrees farenheit. So even on cold nights when the temperature will drop to 20 degrees, I can keep warm and snug at night in my three season gear (quilt, sleeping pad and down jacket).

As with any high quality UL product, lighter usually means more expensive, but there are always exceptions to this rule. However no-matter what, your never going to get into silly money prices that you could end up paying for when purchasing main stream products that weigh much more. If you inclined to do so, there are a few MYOG patterns and kits for synthetic and even down UL jackets. When my current jacket breaks down I will probably replace it with a synthetic jacket. Main reason being that I use this same setup even in the winter with the inclusion of a thick down puffy, which creates more moisture, and that breaks down my inner down. So, a synthetic would fix this problem.

Ultralight Down and Synthetic jackets:
Haglöfs L.I.M Essens down
Western Mountaineering Flash jacket
Yeti streto ultralight down
Crux turbo top
Mountain Hardware ghost whisperer
Mountain hardware Micro Thermostatic (synthetic)
OMM Rotor smock (synthetic)

These are just a few of the ul jackets currently available as of this writing.

If your interested in sewing your own:

The kinsman insulated pullover is the best design I’ve found

http://thru-hiker.com/kits/kinsman_kit.php