*Starred items are available for rent from Outback Adventures- please contact us for reservations and pricing. We also sell many of the smaller items.
Essentials
Backpack*- Must be appropriate for backpacking, i.e. 4,500 cubic inches or larger. It must have a frame either external or internal, and a hip belt.
Snowshoes* or Skis*- (Depending on course)- Snowshoes must be sized large enough to carry your weight with pack in soft, powdery snow.
Mountaineering Boots*- Plastic shell with insulated liners, or insulated, waterproof-treated leather boots.
Hiking or Ski Poles*- Are essential for keeping your balance with a pack in soft snow. Ski poles work fine for snowshoeing as well.
Pack Cover*- Either a store bought one to protect your pack from rain or just a sturdy garbage bag large enough to cover your fully loaded pack. Large yard waste bags work great, as do ponchos.
Winter Sleeping Bag*- Must be a mummy bag style sleeping bag, with a hood, and rated to at least 0 degrees F. Must be made of down or a synthetic material. No cotton or rectangular bags.
Sleeping Pad*- Must be a closed-cell insulating pad or Therm-a-Rest air mattress brand equivalent. No egg crate/sponge style pads.
Lash Straps- Especially important for external frame packs that will be lashing things to the outside like their sleeping bag, pad, and possibly tent.
Water Bottles- 2-3 sturdy 1 quart water bottles.
Headlamp or Flashlight*- Light and small, headlamps are highly recommended.
Extra Batteries and Bulb- Can be purchased from Outback Adventures
Extra Plastic Bags- For keeping gear dry and carrying garbage.
Sunglasses- 100% UV protected are recommended. Preferably dark ones with side shields for full sun protection.
Goggles- These keep your face warm and toasty during high winds.
Sunscreen- Small light bottles. To be applied often.
Lip Balm- Ones that have sunscreen incorporated are best.
Sun Hat- Baseball caps work, but wide brimmed floppy sun hats provide better coverage and protection. If you choose a wide brimmed hat try it on with your pack and make sure it fits well and doesn’t bother you by hitting the back of the pack.
Cup, Bowl, and Spoon- Tupperware makes a great bowl and you can store leftovers in it. Insulated mugs with lids are ideal. Try to use thick plastic silverware it is lighter than the metal stuff.
Clothing
Note: All warm clothing must be made of wool or synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene or fleece. No cotton clothing will be allowed for warm layers. When cotton is wet it can quickly make you colder.
Snow Boots*- These must be waterproof or treated leather, and sized to be able to wear two pair of mid-weight socks. They shouldn’t fit too tight- this restricts circulation.
Warm Hat- Either wool or synthetic.
Warm Mitts or Gloves- Mittens are warmer, but reduces your dexterity.
Liner Gloves- These should be synthetic material
Long Underwear- Lightweight or mid-weight tops and bottoms made of synthetic materials such as Capilene or polypropylene.
2 Warm Insulating Upper Body Layers- Wool sweaters or fleece work well for this. Once again no cotton.
1 warm Insulating Lower Body Layer- Wool or fleece pants work well. Stretch pants are more like long underwear than a warm lower layer, so if they are used it needs to be in conjunction with a second warm layer. Two long underwear bottoms may be substituted for one fleece or wool bottom.
Shell Clothing*- These should be a waterproof/breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex. One jacket and one bib or pant.
Socks- 3 pair of wool or synthetic socks. 1 pair to hike in, 1 pair to change into for camp, and 1 pair in reserve. These should be heavy wool or wool/synthetic blend. High quality socks means happy feet.
Polypropylene Liner Socks- Thin synthetic socks that wick moisture away from the feet and can help reduce the possibility of blisters.
Gaiters*- Essential to keep your feet and boots dry while protecting your pants from crampons or ski edges.
Toiletries
Tooth Brush and Tooth Paste- Small travel ones work great.
Hair Ties- If you need them
Contact Supplies- If you are using contacts bring a back up pair of glasses just in case.
Personal Hygiene Items
Any Personal Medications You Need- If you are bringing medications please check in with your guides and let them know what the medications are and what they are used for in case of an emergency.
Food
Lunch Food and Snacks- Outback Adventures provides breakfasts and dinners, but you need to provide your own lunch and snack food. Lunches should be hearty and healthy. Peanut butter and jelly on bagels, cheese and crackers, apples, and pita bread are just a few ideas. Energy bars, granola bars, fruit, chocolate bars, and trail mix make good snacks. Chex mix and other types of pretzel snack mixes are good too. Don’t skip the fruit because of the weight. There is nothing better than an orange or apple in the backcountry. Be creative, think healthy, non-perishable, and durable (beware of soft fruits, soft bread, etc.).
Optional Items
Hairbrush
Soap- 100% biodegradable only
Balaclava- This is a synthetic full-head covering with an opening for your eyes and mouth. Great for nasty weather.
Camera- Unless you are a serious photographer, the small light ones work well. The waterproof disposable ones are sometimes more reliable in the cold.
Journal and Pen- Small and light.
Book- Small and light.
Compass- Outback Adventures will bring a few compasses if your course covers this material.
Pocket Knife
Camp Chair*- These really make snow melting and camp time comfortable. Outback rents chairs that use your sleeping pad, further reducing weight.
Personal Tarp- Small multi-use tarp to sleep on, organize gear on, make shelters with, etc. 5ft x 7 ft or smaller. We suggest the tarp/emergency blanket combo.