Top 5 must-have winter hanging items

[Bannerstone]

Agree what other have listed.

I would agree with the Blackrock hat for typical cool whether camping but for full on deep winter, I like a zip off down hood from my big ole down parka.

A small piece of reflectix is maybe the one other must have. It can literally save a night's sleep, use under your feet or under your butt, even as a sit pad.

David

[WV]

1. Knowledge
2. Prudence
3. Companions
4. Practice
5. Luck

Those are just the top 5, not all you need.

Don't underestimate the importance of practice. ("I listen, and I hear; I see, and I understand; I do, and I know.")

Don't count too heavily on luck; it really doesn't belong on a preparedness list, but you don't want to be out of it.

It helps if your companions are knowledgeable, prudent, experienced, and lucky. (Been there, done that. )

[MuseJr]

1. Common Sense
2. Experienced Companions
3. Bail-out Options
4. Knowing when to bail
5. Experience getting down to zero (40 then 30 then 20 then 10).

Anyone can buy / borrow gear. The objective is to enjoy the outing.

That's a good place to start on any outing, not just the winter trips.

Here is my list of items required for cold weather outing.
1) Tarp with doors - Need to get out of the elements
2) UQ/TQ rated for temps expected - Down or synthetic doesn't matter
3) Fleece Clothing - Wool doesn't like me as much as I like it
4) Food/Water - Feed the machine to generate warmth
5) Communication Device - Just in case things don't go the way I expected

[BrianWillan]

I'd like to hear what you would consider the top 5 most essential items for staying comfortable down to zero degrees F. That includes anything (hammock accessories, clothes, hiking equip., etc.) except for the hammock itself. Don't hesitate to include details like brand and model.

...or you can list your top 5 favorite quotes from Monty Python's Holy Grail...

1) Temperature appropriate Insulation (TQ, UQ, clothing, etc)
2) Cookware/stove that will operate at those temperatures. I prefer wood stoves (Emberlit, Bushbuddy, etc) in winter temperatures
3) Good wood processing tools if your are going to be having a camp fire to cook and keep you warm
4) Method to dry out your gear (including insulation) when it gets damp or
5) Frost bib to hang from ridgeline to prevent moisture getting on your top quilt.
6) Good tarp that the ends can close in to block wind
7) If you've never winter camped before, take a course on how or attend a group hang at a local campground that has heated shelters or easy bail out options.

Be smart and be safe.

Cheers

Brian

[Roadrunnr72]

5 ?hmmmmmm
1. A hot tarp, like Smokehouse makes, and since it's a hot tarp, that includes the wood stove, so I still have 4 left.
2. Good wood
3. More good wood
4. Even more wood
5. Plenty of good food. Haha, thought I was going to say more wood, didn't ya?

........RR

[Lupus]

1. Good Underquilt or Pad (depending on the temps your looking at)
2. Good Top Quilt or Sleeping bag, appropriately rated for the temps your going into
3. Big Winter Tarp with doors to cut the wind
4. Warm Clothing (from the outermost layer to your base, including your head and feet.)
5. Winter Sock might be nice.

1. "That parrot is dead. . . deceased, demised. He is no more."
2. "I'm a lumberjack and I"m ok. . ."
3. "Look at the bones man. . ."
4. "All right... all right... but apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order... what have the Romans done for us?"
5. "And now for something Completely different."

[5wood67]

Go away or I shall taunt you a second timeaaa.

[gargoyle]

5. " nice costume."
4. "Johnny, tell them what they won."
3. "You can take the money or...."
2. "It's a brand new car"
1. "You can have whats behind door #1 or door #2"

Did he say Monty Hall or Monty Python?

[G.L.P.]

1. Knowledge
2. Prudence
3. Companions
4. Practice
5. Luck

Those are just the top 5, not all you need.

Don't underestimate the importance of practice. ("I listen, and I hear; I see, and I understand; I do, and I know.")

Don't count too heavily on luck; it really doesn't belong on a preparedness list, but you don't want to be out of it.

It helps if your companions are knowledgeable, prudent, experienced, and lucky. (Been there, done that. )

+1 !!!!!

We just had this talk this past weekend (Jerzybear and I ) about winter camping /Backpacking

Knowledge is big to me...
1- know your gear inside and out
2-know when to bail or ask for help .. pride can kill in 0F
3-know how to setup and take down fast in the bitter cold(again knowing your gear inside and out ) your fingers will thank you
4-know YOUR limits .. everyones limits will be different but know- YOURS -
know the limits of your gear and cloths .. don't wear jeans and sneakers to a winter camp out in snow and expect to be warn... don't bring a poncho lines UQ or a summer UQ to a 0F hang ... Bring Proper gear !!!
5-Use Common Sense ... this is a No Brainer to me

remember winter camping/backpacking is a learned art that takes time to master ... you will fail or forget something but remember to learn from it and have fun ..

[Bitts]

To start an awareness that any three mistakes (regardless of size) will combine & result in your death (Yes one of them is being foolish enough to go)is the key to winter gear. Therefore Redundancy is paramount, never allow yourself to be dependent upon a single piece of gear. As to actual gear selection.
1) A combination of down & synthetic insulation. Use the synthetic to move the dew point past the down, reducing the amount of moisture build up.
2) Because of it being one of the most reliable, yet over looked pieces of kit. A closed cell foam pad or combination there of. While many will tout under quilts for their warmth & weight. A simple foam pad should always be taken. I keep a Ridge-rest solar & exped multimat in my kit.
3) A sleeping bag in place of a top quilt. Appropriate to insulate to 70 degrees with out the aid of your belay / camp jacket. For down this would mean 1 inch of loft for every 16-20 degrees needed. Synthetics can be calculated based on the amount of down needed.
4) Avalanche beacon, shovel, & probe. (make sure it's a good shovel)
5)A couple of chem warmers, glow sticks & the good ol tin foil blanket just encase.

Edit: Looks like numbers 4 & 5 are more about safety than for staying comfy. So let me add a good set of softshell bibs & a warm hoodie will always be more comfy than a pair of pants & jacket. From there almost nothing can beet a nice dry pair of warm socks at the end of the day.