With peak hiking season over, fall backpackers can enjoy more solitary time out on the trails. But with colder weather comes the need to modify a gear list so those trail experiences don’t end up being miserable, or worse.
Planning Ahead
Chris Lundy has owned and operated Sawtooth Mountain Guides in Stanley, Idaho, for eight years. He knows the importance of preparing adequately for a trip, especially during fall, or what backpackers call the “shoulder season.”
“I’d check the weather forecast frequently,” he said. “You can end up in conditions where it’s 30 degrees and half rain and snow.”
Lundy said in those conditions, it’s difficult to stay dry and even more difficult to dry off once wet.
“It can be very dangerous,” he said.
Poor planning can result in hypothermia, or worse. If possible, hike with a partner and be sure to leave detailed information about your travel route and when you’ll be returning.
Clothing
Staying comfortable on the trail requires the right clothing for colder weather conditions. The saying in Idaho goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change.”
That being said, fall backpackers should pack breathable, lightweight clothing for those October days full of sunshine, and also pack waterproof outerwear and a wool or synthetic clothing to stave off the cold. Wool socks, insulated waterproof gloves, and a warm beanie can make all the difference when the weather turns frosty.
These items can also be worn at night for extra warmth.
Chris Thornton with Boise Gear Collective has spent over a decade backpacking Idaho’s trails. He recommends bringing along a well-insulated coat for the lower temps.
“A big puffy down jacket works well,” he said.
Synthetic fabrics always trump natural fibers when backpacking in hot and cold weather. Fibers —like cotton— absorb moisture while synthetic fibres wick moisture and keep the body dry. Clothing drenched with sweat lowers core body temperature and acts as an excellent host for smelly bacteria.
Since higher elevations can often experience rain, it’s essential to pack boot waterproof boots.
With fall days shorter than in the summer months, Thornton said, having enough lighting for the trip is crucial.
“You have to remember that you’ll be spending 12 plus hours in the dark, so bring plenty of lighting and some activities for the nighttime,” he said.
Sleeping Gear
A night of rest after a satisfying day on the trail can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t pack cold-rated sleeping gear.
Thornton recommends packing extra insulation in the form of a sleeping bag liner.
“It doesn’t weigh a lot and it keeps you warm,” he said. “It also keeps your bag clean.”
Packing a sleeping bag with a lower-limit temperature rating is also a must. When fall backpacking, bring a cold weather bag rated to 20 degrees fahrenheit and below.
An insulated sleeping pad is an essential item as it helps hikers retain body heat throughout the night. Closed-cell foam pads are ideal as they are extremely lightweight and can be placed under or above a sleeping pad to protect against heat transfer to the cold ground.
Packing a sleeping bag with a lower-limit temperature rating is also a must. When fall backpacking, bring a cold weather bag rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and below.
Tent
When selecting a tent, a three-season backpacking tent will do. Make sure the tent stakes well and is reasonably wind resistant. Also, placing your tent near a windbreak takes the stress off of your tent.
Reducing the amount of open space in your tent helps with heat insulation, so share a tent with your hiking partner and pack your gear inside at night. Backpacker’s will also tape a mylar, or emergency blanket to the roof of their tent for extra insulation.
This step should be avoided if condensation regularly forms in a tent overnight, as extra moisture reduces the effectiveness of insulated gear and makes for a miserable trip.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle
It goes without saying that you’ll be bringing a small stove and cooking supplies to keep you fed out in mother nature, but packing a stainless steel water bottle keeps you hydrated and serves as an excellent heat source. Adding boiling water to a stainless steel bottle and placing it near your core provides a comforting heat source when curled up in your bag at night.
Don’t forget a bottle insulator, too. It helps maintain the temperature of coffee, tea, or soups and prevents your water from freezing at night. Freezing water not only drops body temperature, it makes hydration more difficult.
Packing a reusable straw can help reduce the chance that you’ll spill water on your gear in the tent at night when you go for a drink. When meal planning, be sure to pack food with a high-calorie density since colder weather requires your body to consume more fuel to stay warm.
If you’re particularly prone to the cold, pack some chemical hand/toe warmers. These are easy to use and last several hours.
Electronics Storage
Electronics can be damaged and batteries drain when exposed to low temperatures. To protect your gear, store it in the end of your sleeping bag or in a well-insulated area of your pack. Camera equipment with dead batteries is a bummer, but a GPS locator beacon with a dead battery can be deadly.
Electronics have an ideal operating temperature range, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s advice.
If you’re new to making a backpacking gear list, check out the American Hiking Society’s “Ten Essentials of Hiking.”