Winter hiking & winter skills kit list

This is my standard Expedition kit list for winter hiking or participating in winter skills.

I took this gear on a 1 week winter skills weeks in the Pyrenees. A year later I used the same packing list for a Himalayan Stok Kangri Trek.

What to pack for your winter expedition?

With most expeditions, my biggest worry beforehand is, without doubt, kit.

My winter skills week was the first time spent time in the outdoors in winter conditions. I had no idea what to take and the more I searched, the more confused I became. But actually, it’s simpler than you imagine and not too dissimilar from summer hiking – just with extra layers and a few technical items. One of the main things to get right is clothing – specifically understanding the layering system and what materials work best for the cold.

Expedition kit list

I was able to hire most of the technical gear I needed from 360 Expeditions – handy as you don’t want to be spending hundreds on gear when you are starting out in a sport. Most providers offer this, and if they don’t, then what you need can usually be hired comfortably from a nearby town.

Technical gear:

These were the items I borrowed from my tour operator:

• Crampons
• Ice Axe
• Climbing Harness
• Prusik loops x 2
• Screwgate karabiners x 3
• Sling

I did have to buy my own climbing helmet and ski goggles and for these went very low end:

• Climbing helmet: Simond Rock Helmet
• Ski Goggles: Wed’ze Ski Goggles

Sleeping & hiking gear

A lot of the following was the same as what I use for summer hiking, the main difference being that you will need a warmer sleeping bag. As we were staying in refuges, I didn’t need a roll mat or tent.

• Rucksack; Osprey Kestrel 68L
• Dry bags; Exped Dry Bags
• 2 Litre water bottles
• Head torch: Petzl Tikka
• Travel towel
• Gaiters
• Trekking poles; Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles
• 4 season sleeping bag; Mountain Equipment Helium 800
• Silk sleeping bag liner
• Hiking boots (able to take crampons); HanWag Tatra GTX

Expedition clothing; layering system

You will want to work on a simple layering system. Starting with your base layers – these need to be technical and worn close to your skin. I took a long-sleeve top and bottoms and also base layer gloves and hat (the base layer hat isn’t essential but gives you good flexibility). I used Armadillo Clothing – top quality merino wool and a good fit.

Next is your mid layer which consists of softshell trousers and a fleece top. I also took a softshell jacket.

And finally, your outer layer which is to protect you from the wind and rain – waterproof top and bottoms.

You will also need some extra items for warmth – waterproof ski gloves, a beanie or hat and a buff. A couple of pairs of thick socks with a liner sock (adds an extra layer but also prevents blisters). A thick down jacket for your breaks or cold spells. I also took some extra items that I could add to my existing layering system for added warmth if needed – a gilet down vest and extra fleece.

It’s all about layering!

This is quite an extreme layering system but it gives you an idea. Unless I’m going to the Arctic and extreme conditions 3 layers work just fine:

I had a spare base layer long-sleeve top and a fleece lined pair of trousers that I would change into in the evening when I was finished hiking and I would also sleep in this set.

Underwear I had a sports bra and Armadillo Merino wool boxers.

Expedition clothes list

Here’s the full list of clothing. You’ll notice that a lot of my gear is men’s as they fit me better or they offer more variety than the women’s.

• 2 x boxers; Armadillo Boxers
• Sports bra
• 2 x long sleeve base layer top; Armadillo Artemis top
• 1 x base layer bottoms; Armadillo Jillies
• 1 x fleece trousers; Rab Power Stretch Pants
• Microfleece: North Face Cornice Fleece
• Thicker fleece; North Face Glacier Full Zip Fleece
• Hiking trousers; Montane Ineo Pro Pants
• Softshell jacket; Rab Vapour-rise Jacket
• Waterproof trousers; Berghaus Deluge Overtrousers
• Waterproof jacket; Arc’teryx BETA Hybrid Jacket
• Down jacket; Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket
• Thin gillet down jacket: Men’s Altus Vest
• Liner socks
• 2 x thick socks: Armadillo Heavy boot sock
• Liner hat: Kojak Liner Hat
• Beanie hat: North Face TNF Beanie
• Liner gloves; Ice Break Liner Gloves
• Ski gloves (hiring in country)
• Buff: Armadillo Giraffe Long Neck

*If you use the code LHW20 you can get 20% off Armadillo gear!

Sun protection

The sun reflecting off the snow is a real consideration and you will want to be protected properly with decent UV rated glasses. I used Ronald Amundsen sunscreen which is a little pricey but worth every penny.

• Sunscreen; Ronald Amundsen SPF50
• Sunglasses;
• Cap

Other

• Snacks (Mars Bars and Cliff shots)
• Wet wipes
• Moisturiser; Ronald Amundsen repair and protect cream
• Olympus Tough Camera & spare batteries
• Book

What to pack for an expedition

Check out my video which goes through all the kit I took for the winter skills week:

I also made a short blog about my winter skills week if you need some inspiration:

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*Any women reading this?* I founded a women’s adventure community called Love Her Wild . Check out our private Facebook page and see what adventures we have coming up.