My first winter excursion (Brief Report)

[Rickosovitch]

I just spent last night camped in the snow, intentionally, for the first time in thirty years. My new exped 9 sleeping pad was great once I finally got it inflated. The stuff sack inflater is very clever, but very unforgiving. It slipped off the nozzle several times and it took forever and a half to get it fully inflated. Next time, I'll inflate it even more fully as it did settle down a bit during the night. I assume this was due to contraction of the increasingly cold air rather that any leakage. Melting snow to cook breakfast and fill a bottle to set out with was pretty simple over my Whisperlite stove, but melted snow is far from the best tasting water I've ever had on the trail. I think next time I'll bring my water filter bottle. The big lesson was finding my boots had frozen solid. I had to sit with them under my legs for a quarter hour before they were pliable enough to put on. Fortunately, I was able to use the time to figure out a version of the clever slip knot that had held the strap onto my luxurylite staff until it slipped off. So, since I came back alive and am probably going to do this again, where do you experienced winter hikers put your boots overnight?

[nogods]

Now I'm jealous. Can you believe I live in Buffalo and we still don't have snow.

The only way to keep leather boots from freezing is to sleep with them under or around your body. I use my never-leave-home-without it lawn/leaf plastic bag for that.

A better solution would be a pack boot with a removable liner. Then you just sleep with the liner. But I've never done that and I have concerns about how comfortable a pac boot would be on the trail, especially for us AARP member with degenrated knees.

[Crayfisherman]

just below freezing in bubblewrap as base of my pillow then covered with whatever leftover bits i have. colder in plastic bag(s) at bottom of my sleeping bag

[Rickosovitch]

Bubble wrap as part of a pillow — what a great idea! Thanks!

[Random_Walker]

Yup, inside the tent atop or in a plastic bag. Warm up in the morning with my body as you did, while I am waiting for the snow to melt.
I have heard that a few of those hand/toe warmers dropped in ones boots in the morning works wonders.

[Quoddy]

Originally Posted by Rickosovitch

The big lesson was finding my boots had frozen solid....where do you experienced winter hikers put your boots overnight?

If they're really damp/wet I often bite the bullet and leave them out to freeze since they still should dry out a small amount. In the morning I hold them over the stove until they're plyable. The other option is to put them in a plastic bag and keep them at the foot of my slightly long sleeping bag. Doing that, I always know that they're going to be at the same stage of wetness (or dryness) in the morning (but not frozen) and I may end up using the stove for heating them anyway. If they're not too wet at night a quick warm up in the morning is all that's necessary for me to start off "comfortably". I used to get a little impatient waiting for them to warm up and have singed a pair or two.

I've never really found a magical way, once damp, to get them dry at night, so if someone has a solution I, too would love to hear it.

[Reality]

Originally Posted by Rickosovitch

[...] where do you experienced winter hikers put your boots overnight?

Thanks for sharing your outing...

When it's very cold, I keep my shoes inside with me. I'll have a lightweight, plastic grocery bag or whatever is appropriate for size to put them in. I can then put them against my body or in some cases put them inside my quilt/bag (which I'll avoid whenever possible).

I know of others who have actually put them in a sack and buried them in snow. And there are some who will put chemical foot warmers in their boots along with their water bottles.

Reality

[Trudy]

Something I read about on another site works for me -

Put a small chemical pack in each boot. Fit the boot tops together.
Take your insoles out and sleep with them. They'll be nice and warm in the morning.

I wear gaiters in the winter to prevent snow getting into my boots and getting them wet. And I give the outsides a good water-proofing.

[Rickosovitch]

Trudy,
I just got a pair of OR Crocs and used them. I think they did their job, unfortunately my Hi Tec waterproof boots failed. (complete trip report to be posted right after this) Anyway, thanks for the tips. Next time I head into the snow I'll be wearing my Crocs and my Vasque boots which, while they're not insulated, at least will keep my feet dry on the trail.

[PBF Support]