Winter backpacking and camping gear checklist

Here is my winter backpacking/camping list. I try to keep pack weight to a minimum without sacrificing safety or warmth. Many items on this list can be shared (tent, stove, etc.), so plan carefully with your hiking partner.

Keep in mind Winter in Missouri isn't as brutal as it can be in the northern U.S. or in high elevations. The average highs in February is 31 degrees F, but single digit days aren't all that uncommon - temperatures can dip below 0F overnight. Always watch the weather forecasts and prepare for the worst.

Clothing
My clothing system is based on the layering concept. You definitely want the option to shed outer layers when physically active, expecially if tempertures are moderately cold (over 20 degrees). Avoid cotton and stick to polypropylene or synthetics that don't absorb moisture. If you get cotton wet you're pretty much screwed. Although the retailers who specialize in outdoor activities will have higher quality, lighter weight clothing, you can usually find suitable substitutes at discounters like Walmart.

• Heavy wool socks over poly inner socks (1 pair on - 1 pair in pack
  
• Waterproof hiking boots - Hudson Wolverine® Mid-Cut Steel Toe EH SR Hiker
  
• Uninsulated water-proof parka - Cabela's GORE-TEX® EXV™ Parka
  
• Base Layer - Drawers - Cabela's ThermaStat™ Polar-Weight Drawers
  
• Base Layer - Top - Cabela's ThermaStat™ Polar-Weight Zip-Top
  
• Underwear (2 w/1 pair packed)
  
• Winter gloves
  
• Polyethylene disposable boot covers - Gemplers Polyethylene Disposable Boot Covers
  
• Lightweight pullover - Spyder Ridgeline Dry W.E.B.™ T-neck
  
• Mittens (to pull over gloves during extreme cold weather)
  
• Poly/fleece jacket - Polartec® Classic 300 E.C.W.C.S. Specification Jacket
  
• Stocking cap
  
• Balaclava - Cabela's MTP Polar Weight Balaclava (for extremely cold, windy conditions)
  
• Wind/waterproof/cold outer-layer pants - Cabela's Dry-Plus® Thinsulate™ Pants
  
• Wind mid-layer cargo pants - Cabela's Outfitter's™ Microfleece WindShear™

General emergency gear
The items below weigh next to nothing but could be lifesavers.

• Firestarter
  
• Waterproof matches in waterproof container + small lighter
  
• Small signal mirror
  
• Whistle - Fox 40 Safety Whistle
  
• Bear-pepper spray (depending on location of hike)
  
• Cash

First Aid
This is a super compact first aid kit suitable for most backpacking adventures. Your best bet is to buy pre-packaged first aid kit and modify it for your own needs. Too many pre-packaged kits are loaded with too many bandages and items you'll never use, but are missing some of the basics.

• Small zippered pouch
  
• Minature first aid manual
  
• 1 ace bandage
  
• 1 triangular bandage
  
• small roll 1" cloth tape
  
• 1 single edge razor blade
  
• 4 Antacid tabs
  
• 4 Antihistimine tabs
  
• 4 aspirin tabs
  
• 4 ibuprofen tabs
  
• 3 sterile pads - 4x4
  
• 1 moleskin
  
• 4 anticeptic wipes
  
• bandages - assorted sizes
  
• butterfly closers
  
• small gauze roll 2" wide
  
• 3 small packets antibiotic cream
  
• tweezers

Haulage
5000 cubic inches is the upper limit of what I want for any backpacking adventure. Pay close attention to both the weight and build quality of your pack. Also choose a good quality, easy-to-use water filtration/treatment system.

• Backpack with padded hip belt - Kelty Durango 5100 Internal Frame Backpack
  
• 1 plastic bag for dirty clothes, pack cover,, etc.
  
• 1 gallon ziplock freezer bag - for trash
  
• Water bottles (2 liter)
  
• Water filter and iodine/chlorine tabs

Hygiene

• Toilet paper in ziplock bag
  
• Small travel toothbrush and toothpaste

Misc

• Trail map - laminated or in ziplock bag

Shelter
I own/use the items below and have no regets. The Coleman bag is unbelievably cheap and lightweight, and I've used it in temperatures down to 0F with no complaints. Many high-end sleeping bags can cost hundreds of dollars. The XPG Ultralight tent is...well, ultralight (6 lbs, 3 oz,), and perfect for 2 campers + a small amount of equipment. It's rated as a 3 season tent but I wouldn't have a problem using it in the winter unless there was a possibility of heavy snows or winds.

• Lightweight sleeping bag (15F or colder) - Coleman Max Traverse 0F Mummy
  
• Sleeping pad - short, lightweight - Therm-a-Rest® RidgeRest Sleeping Pad
  
• Ultralight Tent kit + footprint - Cabela's XPG™ Ultralight Tent - 3 person
  
• Parachute cord (30 ft.)

Tools
Go light, go versatile. You don't need the most powerful flash light, a Rambo knife, or lots of unnessesary tools. Most multi-tools are heavy and include a lot of unnecessary tools.

• Small repair kit - 4 safety pinsneedle, thread, duct tape, zip ties, superglue, tie wire, 20lb fishing line and small file
  
• Small flashlight and extra batteries
  
• Clip-on light - Cabela's ULH LED Clip Light
  
• Compass - Silva Guide™ Type 426 Compass
  
• Knife/Saw combo in sheath - SOG Seal Revolver or SOG Team Leader Survivor
  
• Small Trowel (for catholes and small fire pits)

Food
Simple is better. Focus on high calories and easy/fast prep meals and bring plenty of food bars and/or gorp for a quick source of carbs.

• Cheese sticks
  
• Dried fruit
  
• Gorp
  
• Granola/energy/food bars
  
• Instant mashed potatoes or stuffing
  
• Instant Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat or Grits
  
• Jerky
  
• Meal-in-a-cup
  
• MRE - (assurance of a hot meal in heavy rain or wind)
  
• Pouched meats

Food Prep/Serve

• Hobo kit - Ka-bar Hobo 3-in-1 Utensils
  
• Cleaning/scrub pad
  
• Backpacking stove & kettle - MSR Pocket Rocket/Titan Kettle Kit
  
• Stove fuel - MSR IsoPro Canister - 8 Ounce
  
• Sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil for a windscreen

Luxury items
Everclear can be used as topical antiseptic or an emergency firestarter. If you decide to drink it, make sure you cut it with water. Drinking everclear straight is dangerous, as well as drinking any quantity of alchohol in cold weather.

• Flask of everclear or favorite spirit
  
• Camera