This video features the book The Motivated Amateur’s Guide to Winter Camping:
https://sastrugipress.com/products/the-motivated-amateurs-guide-to-winter-camping
Watch the video:
Intro
The mistakes a beginning backpacker can make are wide and huge. Let’s avoid them all, shall we?
Backpack Size
When you first buy a backpack, you’ll wonder what size to get. Should you go for a 40L like this Black Diamond Speed 40 pack? A 60L? An 80L like my Arc’teryx? Or maybe a 100-plus like my big old Gregory backpack?
Tough call. If you get the wrong size, too small, and try to pack everything on, you’ll end up dangling gear everywhere. I’ve ridden on buses in that region, it’s pretty crazy. But you also don’t want to overpack with a huge bag, because then it’s just plain heavy and awkward.
Be mindful of what kind of trips you’ll be doing now and five trips down the road. That choice makes all the difference in your
experience.
Backpack Contents
It’s not just which pack you choose. It’s what you put in it.
The number one mistake people make with clothing is bringing too much cotton. Cotton is terrible.
At home, I love my cotton, cotton underwear, socks, shirts, pants, they’re great. But out in the wilderness? Not so much. Cotton absorbs moisture and doesn’t let it go. It gets weak and stretches out. You ever have a soaked t-shirt hanging down to your knees? Yeah. Out here, cotton doesn’t dry, and that can make you hypothermic fast.
Be careful about that. I talk about this in my book The Motivated Amateur’s Guide to Winter Camping. It’s not only about winter. It’ll help you handle cold-weather camping anywhere. Because when you’re in the mountains above 10,000 feet (around 3,400 meters), it can get freezing fast.
Weather Forecast Mistakes
If you check the forecast and think, “Wow, no rain, no problem. I’ll skip the rain jacket,” you’ve never been to the mountains, have you?
Rain Gear
Always bring some kind of rain layer. Even a basic Frog Tog poncho from a big-box store works. Because if the wind picks up and you get drenched, hypothermia can set in fast—and that can kill you.
I’ve got a video on this: 40°F (about 6°C) can kill you. It’s happened to people. Don’t underestimate what the outdoors can do.
Elevation Gain Mistakes
Misjudging elevation gain will crush you. A lot of people don’t know how to read topo maps. I can’t emphasize that enough.
You have to understand elevation gain before you go. If you think, “Hey, no problem, I can handle anything,” and suddenly you’re climbing over Elizabeth Pass at 11,000 feet or Kearsarge Pass in the Eastern Sierra at nearly 13,000 with a 45-pound pack. You’ll start questioning your life choices real fast.
Navigation
Always bring some kind of navigation tool. Whether it’s a map and compass or GPS, never go without both.
I use the Garmin InReach Explorer Plus. It’s a communication and navigation powerhouse. But I always carry a map and compass too because electronics can die.
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About the Author:
Aaron R. Linsdau is a keynote speaker and polar explorer. Book Aaron for your next event or learn more at https://www.aaronlinsdau.com
Read his thriller books at https://www.aaronrlinsdau.com