Just because winter has rolled around, it is no reason to stop your backpacking trips. Winter backpacking can be a great time and as long as you know how to handle the weather and pack appropriately, it can be a truly invigorating experience. Not only that, but there will be a lot less traffic on the trail and you can truly have these beautiful settings to yourself.

Something that you will obviously want to do is to stay warm. Your clothing is a great place to start, but it may not be in the way that you think. While most people will run to the parka and the heavy sweatshirts, this is actually something that you will want to avoid unless you are backpacking in severe weather conditions. For normal trails, you will want to wear lighter layers that can be peeled off as the day goes on and then put back on as the sun goes down.

Since you are going to be on the move, your body will naturally heat up throughout the day. Believe it or not, you are not going to get as cold as you think. By wearing breathable clothing that is insulated, you can have thinner layers that will be much more effective. Some of the clothing may cost a little more, but it is better than lugging all those extra pounds around with you.

Fire is going to be an essential when you are backpacking in the winter. You are going to need to protect your supplies and ensure that they do not get wet and are ready to go when you need them. It has been suggested many times that you use a foodsaver bag and we are recommending it again. Pack each days fire supply and then seal the bag. You should have matches, a candle and some type of fire starter in each bag. Dryer lint or extra candle wicks will work great for this.

Since it is the winter time and fire is so important, you should also pack a few extra sets of supplies. Since they will take up very little space and you will be disposing of some of them every day, taking double what you need is not a bad idea. You never want to get caught on a winter backpacking trip without a source of fire.

Your tent is another critical element that needs to be looked at. Winter is no time to skimp on your tent and sleeping gear so make sure you have things that will keep you warm and hold up to bad weather. The nights may be a little windier than normal and your tent should be a true shelter and you sleeping bag needs to keep you warm.

Last but not least, you need to make sure that you are able to stay dry. Winter is a time that you want to make sure that you have one of everything as a backup in your bag. If you go through a storm or fall into a creek, you will need to shed the wet clothes right away and get dry. If not, you are surely going to get sick.

Backpacking does not have to stop because the winter months have rolled in. Take the time to prepare your pack properly and follow some of these basic tips and you can enjoy this great hobby all year around.