Hello everyone, I searched on Google to find you guys and I'm hoping you can help me! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

some friends and I are starting to get into backpacking. We live in Alaska and We've decided that we want to take a trip in the middle of winter to lost lake. As far as we know, its a 15 mile hike from the highway over the turn again pass on the way to Anchorage. The trips I've taken so far have been pretty basic, and we want to make sure we do this right. (all of our other trips are day trips or overnighters in the summer months.)

I've been reading on certain brands of gear and things and I'm very confused on what exactly i really need. I know i need a new sleeping bag and a nice pad, im thinking some sort of The north face -20 to -40 bag and thermarest pad.

I also need a pack, I'm not fond of dropping a ton of cash on a 6000 cu in pack, i think its unneeded? I've done a little research and I am thinking a 3000 would work just fine for a few days.

I definitely need to get into the local outfitter and figure out torso measurements, but for what its worth i am a smidgen over 6 foot and i weigh just under 200 lbs.

What kind of clothes do we need? Its a dumb question.. but when you guys pack, what kind of clothing do you take?

so far i have a few capilene short sleeves, and a few polartec 300 fleeces from north face / arc teryx etc. no wind shirts or waterproof tops though... recommendations?

I also think i need to invest in some goretex pants of some kind. I only own jeans :-(

I could go on and on but i think you understand where i'm coming from. i basically have nothing outside a 3 season tent and 2 40 degree rectangle bags i need to replace, i have some money to spend but not enough money to make mistakes in gear purchases.

help please <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />!

thank you! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />