Snow Hiking Vermont - Winter Backpacking & Frigid Camping in the Green Mountains

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Author: sintax77

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Tired of waiting for warmer weather, I decided to revisit Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest for some winter backpacking and a dose of snow camping. http://www.sintax77.com The specific location I chose was the Big Branch Wilderness area. This is very close (just a bit further North) to the Lye Brook Wilderness, where I filmed my solo hike to the Stratton Pond area. This helped me to be familiar with the general area in terms of driving, but it would be my first visit to the Big Branch Wilderness, in hopes of doing some snowshoeing and getting a different Winter perspective on Vermont's Green Mountains. My general direction taken was the along the Lake Trail towards Baker Peak and Griffith Lake, following and crossing McGinn Brook and eventually connecting to the Appalachian Trail / Vermont Long Trail. At least that was the plan... I also also try my hand at setting up a tent in the snow, which by the way, will be my 3-season tent, so we'll see how that goes too. Oh and speaking of that, here's my backpacking gear for the trip. Gear List: (32lb Base + 7lbs Food & Water = 39lb Total Pack Weight) EMS Long Trail 70 Backpack Kelty Salida 2 Tent (3 season tent, not actually built for winter) Nalgene 1 liter water bottle inside EMS insulated hip pouch. Disposable 1 Liter Water Bottle kept in Pack 1 Liter Platypus Bladder for backup water storage DeLorme PN-60 GPS, Long Trail Map by Green Mountain Club, and Forest Service Print-Outs Brunton Classic Compass Layers of various synthetic clothing (worn plus spares): (long underwear, short sleeve and longsleeve shirt, EMS fleece lined pants) MontBell Ultralight Down Parka - 800FP Water Proof Outer Layer - EMS Thunderhead Jacket and some cheapo synthetic track pants Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters Zero Degree Down Sleeping Bag - Kelty Cosmic Down 0 Therm-a-rest Z-Lite Sleeping Pad Klymit Inertia X-Frame Sleeping Pad EMS Packable Pack - Used as pillow (but it's really a stuffable daypack) EMS 'Altitude' Mittens with fleece inner gloves Regular gloves, knit ski cap, balaclava etc. Garmont GTX Snow Boots Carhartt Sock Liners paired with EMS Mountaineering Socks Kahtoola MICROspikes (ice traction for boots) Alps All Terrian Snowshoes 25" Swis Gear Hiking Poles Large trash bag, paracord, extra assorted zip-lock bags Ramen Noodles, Mountain House Pro-Pak dehydrated dinner, snacks etc $8 Ultralight Canister Stove with small Jetboil Fuel canister 'Light My Fire' Mini Fire Steel, waterproof matches, small lighter Space Blanket 2 ReVive Solar ReStore chargers for video camera, phone, etc PTEC Byte Headlamp & Preon 2 Penlight Tin Can Cookset & Light My Fire Spork Instant Coffee!

Comments

The myth; the legend.

The pad works easier with a chair with arm rests. Or you can bring a DIY hammock ( cut 3 yards of nylon or polyester taffeta, do a prussic 18" piece around each end of it, and a DIY under quilt from a summer sleeping bag at the thrift store. Then you don't need the chair or fire.

Here is a tip on Cold trip. If you pack in a camp chair with a back, also bring a closed cell foam pad cut to the same width as the seat. Place the chair near the fire and drape the foam over the chair. You will be warm front and back. Without the foam you will keep turning round as the other side gets cold. Cut a piece of foam for a foot pad/ improvised seat as well. Funky colored foam pads can be spray painted solid or camouflage colors.

Hadn't ever lost a trail in the snow, but then if I was in a new area definitely a possibility. Hadn't considered that until I watched your vid. I use a compass for specific or general direction. Haven't got in to GPS. Liked the lid and ultra light pot set. I like a pyramid shaped tent or tarp for winter camp. Liked sharing your trip. Thanks for the post.

We didn't use tents or fire while doing cold weather training in the marine corps in sub zero, was fun times :)

I haven't winter camped since I was a teenager. I'm now 54 and just bought my first backpack ever. I can't wait to fill it up w/ camping stuff and get out there. Like you said, plan well, tell others where you are going and be cautious at all time, esp. if you are going solo. I'm glad you found your way back to the trail. Thanks for filming and posting and the gear list, which I saw in detail in the prior video.

Lightwalker, CT AMC Chapter

You do an excellent job with your videos, I have watched about 10 of them, your lucky to have a wife that enjoys backpacking with you.

Bummer! I was watching the vid and readying my hang glider for the Vermont wilderness.

Are you happy with your solar panels because I made the mistake of buying a 15 dollar one off of eBay and it was hard to gain charge from the sun. I was curious what solar panels you use?

Thanks for taking us along on the trip. I was sitting here on my easy chair, bundled up from the cold that you were conveying to us. I was hoping you would show us how you pass the time while in the tent. Would a better tent have been any warmer in that situation?

How has your current Sony camera worked in cold weather and any luck with the battery life. I have a winter trip planned and thought about using a stuff sack with a hand warmers for the batteries.

just subscribed...i love your videos....and the way you explain things....i watched several last night and liked the way you realised you had to change your plans and not be silly and try and complete what you set out to do because of the conditions...great message to put out to people...safety before stupidity....enjoy and stay safe

Don't put snow next to your tent. You will die! ;) Love that tent. Have the same one. Cheers from Colorado!

How do you deal with keeping water in liquid state and dealing with water during winter trips?

Thats interesting I didn't know Vermont had a Bobcat hunting season. I thought they were worried about there population decline.

do you ever get spooked at night solo backpacking?

what is the model of montbell jacket

what is the tent you are using?

Nice video bud, thanks for sharing it with us! I subbed to stay updated :) All the best :)

Keep the water bottle and the camera (gps or anything else electrical as well) inside your sleeping bag at night. If you are hiking during cold spells you can keep those things inside your winter coat.