TROOP 130 WINTER HIKE/CAMP/CABIN/SNOW HOLE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Each winter Troop 130 hikes into the Jura on snow shoes. The destination is a log cabin, but boys can also erect a tent or make and sleep in a snow hole (1st class and above only for snow holes).
Below are some recommendations to make your trip safe and enjoyable.
Log cabins are equipped with a fire, drying rails, kitchen, cooking utensils, and cups, plates, KFS etc and toilets. Most sell drinks. Sleeping is in dormitories with available mattresses and blankets.
- The hike
You will usually hike on snow shoes for about 2 – 3 hours. You will be climbing about 500 metres in altitude.
You carry everything you need, but cabins are well equipped, so pack as light as is sensible.
Bring water! Dehydration in winter is a real concern, mostly through exertion and excessive clothing. Take layers of clothes off as you warm up on the hike! Don’t forget sun glasses or ski masks to avoid snow blindness.
Get your snow shoes fitted properly before you start. An extra five minutes at the beginning on preparation can save a lot of time during the hike.
- Camping
If you want to camp it is recommended you bring an extra ground sheet, extra sleeping mats (or preferably light weight blow up mat) of at least ½ inch deep. You will also need ‘dead man’ poles to tie down the tent ropes in the snow – these can be snow shoes, spare tent poles, ski sticks etc which you attach to the guy rope and bury in the snow.
- Snow holing
To build a snow hole you will need a fold up shovel (available lightweight from sports shops) to dig your snow hole. Protect the snow hole entrance with a bit of tarp or fly-sheet. Bring some tent pegs to attach the entrance cover to the entry top. A waterproof sleeping bag cover is essential equipment. Recommended to use a blow up sleeping mat, if not at least ½ inch of sleeping mats.
Building a snow hole is hard physical work. This will make you sweat and dampen your inner clothes. You do not want to sleep in damp clothes so bring a spare T shirt to change into, also spare socks. Don’t wear too many layers of clothes when digging your snow hole – your energy will keep you warm!
It’s easy to get dehydrated in winter when heavily clothed and doing hard physical work, so reduce clothing when active and remember you still need a lot of liquids.
Snow hole sleeping can be very cold. Eat lots of fats before sleeping as this releases heat through the night – whereas chocolate, for example, gives a quick heat boost, then stops being useful and may leave you colder later on.
To reduce sweaty socks – spray anti-perspirant on your feet!
Don’t eat snow as a liquid intake – it actually takes more energy to convert snow into liquid than any benefit it provides. A thermos of hot soup, coffee, tea, cocoa etc is a great comfort at night in a snow hole and good for your physical well-being.
Get warm before you get into your sleeping bag. You can do this in the cabin.
Sleep with your head outside your sleeping bag – this reduces condensation (and therefore cold) inside your sleeping bag – but wear a scarf to keep the neck warm.
When you are ‘trading off’ decisions on how much to carry on the hike and how comfortable you plan to be – if you are snow holing, don’t skimp on basic equipment! The extra kilos you carry will be greatly appreciated at 2 o’clock in the morning at minus 10 degrees.
- Personal Equipment
This equipment list is especially important for snow holing, and important for snow camping. Some of this equipment * is conditional for snow holing, without which snow holing cannot be approved.
- Sleeping bag, minimum 15 degrees below zero*
- Waterproof sleeping bag cover*
- Sleeping mat foam (min ½ inch) or air*
- Thermos flask
- Thermal underwear*
- Extra socks* and T shirt
- Hiking boots (suitable for attachment to snow shoes)*
- Woollen hat, scarf, gloves*
- Torch and spare batteries*
- Candles (for snow holes only)
- Waterproof matches
- Sun glasses/ski mask
- Waterproof jacket* and trousers
BE PREPARED!
Troop 130
