Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Winter backpacking resources

I'm itching to do a first ever winter backpacking trip this year. Nothing extreme, no climbing, etc. but basic winter backcountry skills and whatever else needed for winter/snow travel. I've been spending alot of time online reading the usual articles, research, etc. Also looking at local resources for classes, clinics, etc - but none have their 09/10 schedules yet while many claim not start till March time (I was hoping for Jan-Feb10)

Are there any other resources, sites, books or otherwise that is recommended? I've seen some books by NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) but are they for groups/leadership?

Something like this looks cool, but maybe too focused on climbing.
http://www.sierramountaincenter.com/Winter_mountaineering_course.html

http://www.sierramountaineering.com/ does not have their 2010 schedule posted yet.

Thanks!

South Fork trail in The San Gorgonio Wilderness is a good place for beginner winter backpacking. Check some of the Meetup.com backpacking groups or Outdoorsclub.org for groups doing over night trips or snowshoe trips in the area.

If you are looking for a class then the links you posted would be good places for that.

One of the issues has to do with the quality of the snow. In Jan, for example, the snow tends to be totally unconsolidated, which means the torture of postholing travel. These conditions may be chest high, and take an hour to go 1/4 mile. Often, we see no summits whatsoever in these early winter months. You can't even make an igloo out of this fine sugar-like powder.

As the snow consolidates, the story is totally different, and travel is a joy, on snowshoes or skis, or later, with crampons.

g'luck!

Take the tram up San Jacinto in Palm Springs. Get the book Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills. Post questions on Summitpost.org. Send me an email.

All good replies.

I like Whitney Portal as a first time destination. The bathrooms are open, the North Fork usually flows, a picnic table can be dug out and its an easy bailout...since most park near the Meysan Lake Parking area.

It really is the best time to see the MMWT and to explore the lower part of the MR.

Lastly, both A16 and REI have winter clinics, my guess is they will be scheduled in January or February. In the interim, buy Freedom of the Hills. It will be a big help.

This book has excellent information on winter backpacking and climbing:

The Mountaineering Handbook
http://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Han...959&sr=8-13

Bring a warm ground pad. No Z-rest... brrrrrrr.

The San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club runs a Wilderness Basics Course beginning in January that includes a snow camp. The snow travel portion is limited to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, no cramponing or ice axe usage, but good information for all seasons and a chance to meet others with an interest in the outdoors.

Wilderness Basics Course

Wow, thanks for the resources everyone! Lots of good ones that i never found in any of my searches - and i searched alot. More proof these forums are so helpful.

Looks like I've got a book or two to get (and i just got a Gift Card for my bday and a course or two to look into.

I recommend the Sierra Club. I took a two day snow camping course last January and it did a lot to increase my knowledge of snow travel/camping. After the course I went on several snow camping trips with friends to practice what I learned. Winter is a great time to be out in the wilderness.

Here are a few comfort tips (learned the hard way):

Take two sleeping pads - one ain't enough.

At night, put boots inside the bottom of your sleeping bag or you might have frozen boots in the morning. Put boots in a large stuff sack to avoid soiling your sleeping bag. (It takes a loonnggg time to defrost frozen boots over a stove.)

Keep a water bottle inside your sleeping bag for night drinks and early morning brew-ups.

For guys: to avoid having to get up and go outside at night to pee, keep an empty water bottle in your sleeping bag and pee into that. (Use a bottle with an easily identified screw on lid to avoid unfortunate mistakes in the dark...) For the gals: sorry can't help you with that...

Bring down booties for camp lounging.

If you choose to sleep outside of a tent or snow cave, and happen to be on a slope or near a creek, plant your skiis on the down-hill side of your sleeping bag or bivvy sack...for obvious reasons.

Campmor sells a product # 80976, called LADY J , which has

been satisfactory for my wife on camping trips and also while

traveling in foreign countries with limited bathroom facilities.

www.campmor.com The cost is $6.99 + postage.