How to go Winter Camping in Saskatchewan: Part 2 - What Gear Do You Need?

All my gear fits into this neat package!

Winter camping as I always say is a logistical challenge - you are going to need a lot of gear. You need everything to keep yourself warm and comfortable, plus food. emergency gear and more.

Before you go any further, if you haven't read Part 1 in this miniseries designed to take you from beginner to winter camper do so now.

There are two things about your winter camping gear you need to keep in mind. The first, it is going to be very heavy. The second, you don't want to forget anything important.

To help you out I have compiled a list of gear that I bring when winter camping. As you can see it is a lot!

Shelter

Woods Expedition Series 2P Backcountry Tent or Marmot Carbide 2P Backcountry Tent
I have two tents that I use depending on my mood. Both have worked great so far.
Large Painters Tarp
Used to wrap gear in my pulk and for extra protection if I need it.
Thermarest
Exped Down Winter Mat
I like to double up my sleeping mats for extra warmth.
Yukon 10 Woods Sleeping Bag (Rated to -40C)
Heaviest part of my gear, but so worth it when I am sleeping!
Marmot Needle Tent Pegs
These can handle being pounded into frozen solid ground

Tools

Pack Shovel
Used to clear snow and as a hammer for tent pegs
Gerber Fixed Blade Knife 7" Blade
Used to cut and prepare wood
Gerber Folding Knife
For when I need more finess
2 BIC Lighters
I always carry two, just in case one doesn't work. Carry these in an inside jacket pocket to keep them warm and usable!
Steel Rod and Ferrocerium Rod
Just in case!
Matches
Even more just in case fire starter!
Newspaper
Helps get a fire going in wetter conditions.
Black Diamond Trekking Poles
With all this heavy gear, these help tremendously with the hike in.

Food

Trailmix
Cliff Bars
Granola Bars
Oatmeal
Beef Jerky
Dehydrated Meals (Mountain House)
Dehydrated Fruit

None of this food has any liquid, you don't want to be thawing food. It takes too much energy and fuel!

Cooking Supplies

Metal Cup
For melting water and making tea
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
Main cooking device
MSR 4 Season Cooking Fuel
Make sure to try and warm it before use. It loses vapour pressure as it cools.
Sea to Summit Spork
Sea to Summit Collapsible Backcountry Plate
1L Nalgene Bottle
Depending on the temperature I will bring more than 1 prefilled with water. If it is very cold I will only bring 1, as I will need to melt water every time I need to drink. DO NOT FREEZE your water and make your bottle useless!
Green Tea
A great pick me up in the morning! If you want coffee, I recommend the Starbucks Via instant coffee packets.

Pack

Osprey 65L or Woods 70L Convoy
Osprey Pack Fly
Keep the snow off your pack and your gear dry!

Clothing

FXR Wool Long Johns
Lululemon Running T-Shirt
FXR Wool Sweater
Marmot Wool Sweater
Under Armour Running Sweater
NorthFace Wool Toque
Buff
Insulated Leather Work Gloves
FXR Black Ops Thin Gloves
Woods Andes Down Mitts
Flyflow 800 Fill Down Jacket w with hood
McKinley Skipants with suspenders and vents
SmartWool Socks - 3 Pairs
Wear one, two backups.
Salomon Wool Ski Socks
I wear over top my SmartWool socks for extra warmth
Columbia Winter Boots (Rated to -40C)

This is a layered system. You will see that I am able to dress up for extreme cold and all the way down to summer heat. You will be surprised how hot you can get once you start working hard in the snow! DO NOT wear any cotton - cotton once wet can be dangerous.

Miscellaneous