Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#159544 - 01/03/12 02:12 PM Winter backpacking with kids?
spwhite24 Offline
member

Registered: 03/11/11
Posts: 20
Loc: Bucyrus, OH. USA
Hey everyone,
I have three daughters ages 7-13 and to my delight they do not want to retire their gear for the winter. They ask why can't we go in the winter to which I said well I ....... Ok well we went to a local outfitter The Outdoor Source in Columbus Ohio. They are great!! They had a seminar on winter backpacking. Very informative and the staff was helpful as always with answering questions and all. We are thinking over an overnight just outside at home to get a feel for it first. Then we will see. So have any of you tried this? Any tips or suggestions?
Thanks,
Steven

Top
#159548 - 01/03/12 02:52 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
I took my son last winter on an overnight. He was 8 then. Bring lots of hot packets and hot chocolate.
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

Top
#159550 - 01/03/12 03:14 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
I'd say it depends on where you are going and what winter means there. I personally would not go very far with kids in winter, because here it means very deep snow, subfreezing and sometimes subzero night temps, and the margin for error is slim. I would sooner take them to where 3 season camping is possible in Nov - March, fortunately Californians have lower elevation regions along the coast where snow is minimal or nonexistant. Snow gear and having multiple adults to play sherpa would be important for safety and accomodating the increase in gear/clothing for harsher conditions.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

Top
#159551 - 01/03/12 03:15 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: finallyME]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
And extra changes of clothing. Kids always manage to get wet! They also get cold more easily than adults, so take more layers (and warmer sleeping bags and pads) than you think they'll need.

Starting at home in the back yard (unless you live where it isn't cold) is a good idea!


Edited by OregonMouse (01/03/12 03:18 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#159562 - 01/03/12 06:50 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
I started winter backpacking with my dad when I was around 13-14 and that was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We were in snowshoes, it definitely got pretty cold at night, and my dad wasn't up-to-date on ultralight techniques but it was fine. We always used a blue tarp as a shelter (no bugs in the winter!) and brought plenty of warm clothes.

Top
#159579 - 01/04/12 03:42 AM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
TomD Offline
Moderator

Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
Check the winter forum for tips on winter camping. By winter, I mean cold weather with snow on the ground. I used to live in Northern Ohio. Winter there just meant miserable cold, wet weather, sometimes really cold as I recall, but not enough snow to be enjoyable most of the time.

For snow camping, get a copy of Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book. It is about half skiing and half camping. Well worth the price-about $10 or so online, even if you are not skiing.

For Ohio weather, your 3 season gear will probably work fine-meaning tent and stove. Warm clothes are essential, learn how to layer up and get warm, dry footwear. Sorel boots can be found at bargain prices on eBay. They are a good choice for an inexpensive winter boot. Not sure if they come in kid's sizes.

Wet and cold are your enemy. You probably learned that in the class you took. You don't need to spend a fortune on clothes or gear-the really top flight and light gear, yes, but things like wool sweaters can be found at secondhand shops for next to nothing and they work really well.

You can be ultralight in winter if you know what you are doing, are willing to compromise comfort and your margin of error for safety and spend a fortune on gear. Otherwise, going UL in winter, regardless of what you may read here, is foolish.
I drag (literally, because I tow a sled) way more stuff than most people carry because I go alone and like to be comfortable. If I was a perfect weather predictor, I could leave my tent at home. I'm not and neither is the NWS. Good, but not perfect. My winter tent should withstand most major storms in the places I go, so in spite of it being heavy and bulky, along it comes.

btw, I'm not wearing that parka in my picture just because I like the color.


Edited by TomD (01/04/12 03:45 AM)
_________________________
Don't get me started, you know how I get.

Top
#159641 - 01/04/12 11:43 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: TomD]
wandering_daisy Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/06
Posts: 2865
Loc: California
I question if the 7-year old is really old enough for serious winter camping. I agree with OM- camp out in the backyard. Graduate to car camping in the winter. Choose some weekends with forecast terrible weather so you can see what it is like. You can just get in the car and turn on the heater if things get epic. Be sure to really simulate a backpack trip- OK to have emergency clothing in the car, but really spend the day and night AS IF the car were not there. When all that is done, do some day hiking over snow or with snowshoes (or x-country ski) in order to get these skills honed. THEN, go on a winter backpack. I also agree that there should be one adult for each child until the child gets into the teens.

Top
#160390 - 01/14/12 10:03 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: wandering_daisy]
Kent W Offline
member

Registered: 10/15/09
Posts: 607
Loc: IL.
I agree WD> winter camping can get dangerous fast. Awsome ,concept but I wouldnt attept it with my kids when they were young.


Edited by Kent W (01/14/12 10:03 PM)

Top
#160394 - 01/14/12 10:25 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Go to the winter camping forum and read up - theres lots of general winter camping info there - do not do this unprepared. I recently started a thread about camping on your back porch. You will need easy access to a bathroom, boots and coats (and flashlights)where they can be easily found at night. lots of insulated pads and stuff, but the point is that its lots of fun to camp in the snow in your own yard where you can go into the house.
Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#160433 - 01/15/12 01:19 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: wandering_daisy]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By wandering_daisy
I question if the 7-year old is really old enough for serious winter camping. I agree with OM- camp out in the backyard. Graduate to car camping in the winter.
....


For the record, I certainly did this when I was about 7 or 8. At that time it was usually just a night out at a time, and not depth of winter at first (October/November in Alberta) but that's how you can start out just fine.

_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#162424 - 02/18/12 11:55 AM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
ndwoods Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/02
Posts: 572
Loc: Santa Cruz CA, Sierra Hiker
I took my kids winter camping when they were that age. It was the most fun trips we ever had and they still will tell you to this day (they are in their 30's) that those were their favorite trips! But...I started them late winter when the weather was warm in the days. We used ensolite pads which doubled as sleds, and to this day even if I bring a thermarest in the winter, I bring a non air pad for under it in case I get a leak. I had good bags and tons of warm clothes thus the trips were very short distances. Good luck!
_________________________
http://ndeewoods.com/ and http://wilderstatepark.com/

Top
#168617 - 08/20/12 10:22 PM Re: Winter backpacking with kids? [Re: spwhite24]
verber Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/04
Posts: 269
Loc: SF Bay Area, CA
+1 Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book
+1 the kids will get wet and cold

besides hot chocoate and handwarmers, bring nalgene bottles that you could pour boiling water in, put a sock over, and have a hot water bottle to warm them up.

My daughter and her friends *LOVED* winter backpacking, or in our case snowshoeing. The kids loved building snow structures for camp like... othouse, kitchen, platform for shelter and/or snow cave. We haven't made an igloo, would love to try sometime.

--Mark

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 170 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum