Toward the end of 2014, I had coffee with two friends as we discussed our resolutions for the New Year. After mentioning that I wanted to start exercising, I was embarrassed to realize I couldn’t think of much else. My two friends, on the other hand, easily had 25 resolutions each.
As 2016 approaches, I’ve resolved to keep things interesting. Most importantly, I don’t want to be intimidated by the thought of making mistakes.
I’ve already gotten a head start on one specific resolution I made: to camp. A lot. After some easy camping trips through the summer and fall, I challenged my group of friends to go backpacking with me earlier this month in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which rides the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. We did just that the first weekend of December. We didn’t get eaten by bears, fall off a cliff or freeze to death. Overall, the trip cost $150 per person for a three-person group.
Though winter isn’t the most popular time to camp, it can be just as fun as going in warmer months if you’re prepared. No matter where you decide to go, most campsites and national parks have several options for accommodations. The Smoky Mountains offered cabins, campsites with amenities (like running water) and backpacking. If you’re looking for a challenge—especially over the winter months—backpacking is the most exciting and fulfilling option.
It’s easy to forget how strong our city’s snowmageddons have made us. To help you get started, I laid out the gear I’ve invested in over the years and some of the new stuff I purchased for this trip. Whether or not you decide to venture out in the cold, I think we can all find new ways to have fun, tackle the unexpected and make winter suck less.
GEAR
ALPS Mountaineering Mystique 2.0 tent: This four-season tent can be used all year, and it was fantastic for our trip. It isn’t freestanding, which means the stakes have to be firmly planted in the ground. Not a problem for this adventure, but had we camped on hard ground, we might have been in trouble.
Ledge Sports FeatherLite +0 F Degree sleeping bag: When shopping for a sleeping bag, you’ll want to consider weight (as you’ll be carrying it) and temperature rating. If you don’t have a bag that’s built for cold temperatures, consider sleeping in an extra layer of clothes or even a jacket for extra warmth.
TETON Sports Explorer 4000 internal frame backpack: This bag barely fit everything I wanted to bring, and on a longer trip I might consider a bigger option. But with plenty of straps to tether things to the outside and a pouch for a water bladder, it worked just fine.
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Series self-inflating air pad: More important than they may seem, air pads keep you comfortable at night and help prevent body heat from escaping into the ground.
Aquatic Way hydration bladder: This standard version did the trick and kept me hydrated while hiking.
MSR PocketRocket stove: This nifty little stove made it easy to brew coffee in the morning and soup at night. Because you can’t always count on being able to cook by fire, it’s an essential tool for overnight trips.
EXTRAS
Potable Aqua water treatment tablets: Intended for short-term or limited emergency use only, these tablets make most water bacteriologically suitable for drinking. We dropped two in our water bottles after filling up at natural streams and water pumps along the way.
TETON Sports ComfortLite self-inflating pillow: Perhaps the most unnecessary thing I brought with me (as my jacket or extra clothes would have been sufficient), but it was still a pleasure to have.
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Coleman enamelware mug: We ate and sipped all of our meals from cups to avoid the extra weight of plates and bowls. Don’t forget flatware, paper towels and a pan to boil water.
Coghlan’s fire sticks: Though we didn’t have any luck starting a fire on our trip (it rains a lot in the Smoky Mountains), you should pack plenty of matches in a waterproof case and a fire starter like this one.
Wigwam Men’s El Pine crew socks: I could kiss these socks. Having warm and dry feet is essential, and this pair is perfect for wicking away moisture during long hikes. Plus, they also work great for commuting to work on a winter day.
Head lamp: It’s an easy way to keep your hands free while hiking or setting up camp when the sun goes down.
First Aid kit: We didn’t have any mishaps, but it’s important to be prepared.
Map: Talk over the route with your group and ask rangers for directions when you’re starting off—even if you think you know where you’re going.
Compass: We used ours whenever we reached a fork in the road to make sure we were still heading in the right direction. In other words, it’s essential. Don’t forget to pick up a map of the park or campsite too.
Food: We focused on packing food that didn’t take up too much space, had a high calorie count and didn’t take much effort to prepare. Oatmeal, instant coffee, protein bars, dried soups and canned foods were ideal for our trip.