| Gallery
| Gear & Outfitters | DogSled
Basics | Home |
Personal Gear
Think
Layering...3 layers to be specific. The 3 W's, Wicking, Warmth and Wind & Water.
An inner layer that wear all of the time and a middle layer of clothing for
insulation and an
outer wind and water proof layer. The middle and outer layers can be modified
as the
weather dictates.
Outer Layer (Goretex will
protect you from wind and/or water)
- Goretex (or equivalent)
shell parka w/ hood (for layering during the day)
- Goretex (or equivalent)
shell type snow pants (Bibb) (for layering during the day)
- "Pac" or
snow boots with Vibram type soles (with spare felt liners)
- 1 rain poncho or jacket
- Insulated Parka and
Pants rated to at least -20 (for layering during the night)
- 2 pair water repellent
glove shells with thermal insulation inner glove
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NEED TO BE MODIFIED FOR WEATHER EXTREMES.
Use large zipper pulls
on your outer wear to make it easier to pull zippers with gloves on your hands.
Middle Layer (Polartec
or Polar Fleece will keep you warm even if wet)
- Polartec 200 or 300 sweater
and pants (for layering during the day and night)
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NEED TO BE MODIFIED FOR WEATHER EXTREMES
Inner
Layer (Polypropylene will wick perspiration away from your body)
- 3 pair of thermal socks
(fleece or other synthetic) (for thermal layer and cushion)
- 2 pair Vapor Barrier
Liners (wear thermal sock over and sock liner inside VBL socks)
- 3 pair of sock liners
(to wick moisture from feet)
- 2 pair
mid weight or “expedition” weight
polypropylene thermal underwear
- Balaclava to cover
head and possibly a fleece hat with brim
- The Inner Layer items
should be put into ziplock bags or some other type of waterproof bag.
THESE
RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NEED TO BE MODIFIED FOR
WEATHER EXTREMES
Shelter and Sleeping
- Expedition Grade Sleeping
bag rated to at least -30 degrees (you can use a thermal liner)
- Sleeping pad (do not
use inflatable type, use only solid closed cell foam)
- Mylar
or “Space” blanket
for thermal conduction barrier to sleep on top of.
- Expedition Grade, 4
season, tent (use as many plastic tarps under the tent as possible between
you and the snow)
- Candle Lantern (in the
tent it makes less Carbon Monoxide and water vapor)
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NEED TO BE MODIFIED FOR
WEATHER EXTREMES
Cooking and Food (Plan
on 4,000 - 5,000 calories per day)
- Cookware, utensils and
a thermal coffee cup
- 2 Nalgene type water
bottles
- MREs, backpacking food,
energy bars, etc.
- Multi-fuel backpacking
stove with extra fuel
- 2 packs waterproof matches
in day pack, two more in gear in sled
- Fire-starter material
Miscellaneous Personal
Items
- Toiletries (including small sewing kit, hand towel, toothbrush)
- 1 roll
of toilet paper per person (in ziplock bag)
- Bandanas, 1 in pack, 2 spares
- Glasses or contact lens stuff, if used
Day Pack items
-
Large fanny pack or day pack (for day trips) should be capable of holding
snowshoes or skis on the backside of the pack
- Pocket multi-tool or
Swiss Army knife
- Compass, if you have
one and USGS map of area (Learn land navigation/orienteering)
- First aid kit (learn
first aid and cpr)
- Flashlight or headlamp,
2 sets spare batteries, 2 spare bulbs
- 50' nylon rope or parachute
cord
- Ski type goggles
- Chapstick (use generously
to keep lips from drying and cracking)
- Sunburn lotion (UV
radiation is magnified by snow reflection)
- Sunglasses
with UV protection (Even on an overcast day, "snowblindness" can occur)
- Small
fuel pellet stove and “Cascade/Sierra Cup” or “Canteen
Cup” and extra fuel
- Waterproof matches
- Nalgene Water Bottle
- Flare/Smoke other signaling
devices
- Day snacks
Other Necessities
- Backcountry X-C skis
or Telemark skis and appropriate boots and poles
- Snowshoes
- Small roll duct tape
- Additional rope
- Ice axe
- Small pocket camera
and extra film
- Snow shovel, collapsible
- Binoculars
Pioneer Tools
- Additional rope
- Snow shovel, collapsible
- Small roll duct tape
- Small Axe or Hatchet
- Ice Axe
- Collapsible Shovel
- Flare/Smoke and other
signaling devices
Each Sled should have
additionally
- 3 spare tugs
- 3 spare neck lines
- 2 spare 2 dog gangline section
- dog booties (better safe, than sorry, take more than you think you will
need)
- picket or stake out lines (in separate bag)
- 1 extra harness (per dog if you will be gone for awhile)
- 10 feet runner rope
- 2 extra large carabiners
Dog Food and Medications
- Food for your
dogs sufficient for two meals per day per dog (packaged as individual
meals in waterproof bags)
- Bowls for water, food is spread in the snow
The Following Gear is the gear the guide should provide
- Topographical Maps
- GPS device
- Analog Cellular phone
- More fire starters
- Group first aid kit
- Water Filter/Purification
tablets
- Alcohol Stove for melting snow plus fuel
Various similar type items
should be packed in separate bags to segregate gear inside the sled bag.
Examples:
1. Pioneer Tools should be in a small bag
2. Dog Food and bowls should have separate bag
3. Spare lines and dog boots should go in separate bag
4. Cooking gear should be in bag with fuel bottles in two ziplock bags
5. Compass and maps should be in waterproof bag in Day Pack
6. Picket lines should have their own bags
7. Clothing and “Personal Items” should be in large bag
8. Tent, Sleeping Bag and mat will be loose in sled bag
Day Pack should be of
a type that snowshoes or skis + poles can be attached to externally.
top
of page