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Boy Scouts of America
Troop 701


85 Years
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Cold Weather Camping
  


 Cold weather camping as defined by BSA is "camping in weather where the average daily temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and conditions are cold, wet or windy."
The most important thing to remember about cold weather camping is to KEEP DRY. Moisture will reduce the insulating properties of almost everything. To keep yourself warm, remember the word COLD.

C - keep yourself and your clothes Clean.
O - avoid Overheating.
L - wear clothes Loose and in Layers.
D - keep Dry.
 

The FIVE RULES OF COLD WEATHER CAMPING

Rule 1: Layers: As temperatures change, or activity increases or decreases, you want to be able to add or subtract clothing for obvious reasons. Wear a hat (baseball caps don't count!)
Rule 2: Keep your feet warm and dry.
Rule 3: Warm sleeping bag:
Rule 4: Heavy on carbs lighter on the meat: In cold weather it is crucial that you keep food in your body, as your body will be burning much more than usual to keep you warm.
Rule 5: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: You had better make sure you take and drink lots of water. You don’t feel as thirsty as you do during the summer months, which make it all the more dangerous for dehydration. So drink up! You can never get enough water!

Though these are not the only things to think about, these rules that will keep you safe and alive!


Troop 701 Day Hike Gear List for Warm Weather

  • Day pack large enough to hold gear.
  • Water bottle(s) -- 1 quart minimum .
  • Food or snacks -- bring what you like.
  • Rain coat with hood -- must be rainproof NOT rain resistant.
  • Map and compass.
  • Pocket Knife and Totin' Chip .
  • Personal First Aid kit.
  • Repair kit.
  • 50 feet of nylon cord in repair kit.
  • Small flashlight.
  • Whistle.
  • Matches / fire starter.
  • Watch.
  • Extra clothing:
    • extra socks.
    • hat.
    • sweatshirt / sweater.
NOTE: This list is adequate for warm weather hikes . Cold weather will require additional gear.


Troop 701 Cold Weather Personal Camping Gear List

Personal Gear packed in backpack (or duffel bag if not backpacking):

  • Synthetic (not down) sleeping bag rated to twenty degrees.
  • Full length closed-cell foam pad or "Therma-Rest".
  • Mess kit with insulated cup.
  • Knife / fork / spoon.
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss.
  • Wash cloth, soap and towel.
  • Flashlight.
  • OPTIONAL: book, cards, game ball, etc.
Clothing:
  • 2 long sleeve shirts. See Note 1.
  • 2 pairs of long pants. See Note 1.
  • 2 pairs of socks. See Note 1.
  • Long underwear. See Note 1.
  • Rain coat with hood -- must be rainproof NOT rain resistant. A thin plastic parka will not work.
  • Wool hat.
  • Mittens or gloves.
  • Winter coat or parka
  • Hiking or work boots and sneakers. See Note 2.
  • Sweat pants and sweatshirt with hood -- for sleeping.
NOTE 1: During the winter season, running approximately from November to March, NO cotton clothing is allowed except for underwear and sleepwear. Only wool or fleece-type shirts and pants will be permitted. Long underwear and socks must be synthetic - such as polypropylene or Capilene, or wool ( Wool is a very itchy material ). Cotton is great in the summer but is horrible (& dangerous- especially jeans) when it gets wet in extreme cold.

NOTE 2: Boots MUST be the felt lined sorel-type boot, or other appropriate hiking boot.

Troop 701 Warm Weather Backpacking Gear List

This is a list of REQURIED items for warm weather backpacking, running from approximately May to October. You MUST have all the required items. Optional items are identified by an asterisk (*). You will be wearing your hiking boots and hiking clothes. All other items must be carried IN your backpack . Make sure your clothes are placed in large plastic ziplock bags. Your sleeping bag should be in a stuff sack lined with a trash bag. You do NOT want your clothes or sleeping bag to get wet!

When packing, make sure nothing is loose on your pack. You should be able to turn your pack upside down and shake it with NOTHING becoming loose. If you do not do this, your gear will definitely fall off on the trail.

You will need space in your pack for the group gear you will be carrying. You will have to carry your share of the tent, food and other group gear assigned to you. YOU WILL BE CARRYING UP TO APPROXIMATELY 40+ POUNDS.

Keep snacks to a minimum as you will be carrying a lot of gear. The Troop will provide a trail map and trail description. Each hiker will lead segments of the hike.

KEEP YOUR PACK ORGANIZED.

Packing:

  • 1 pack with internal or external frame, padded hip and shoulder straps (not a book-bag)..
  • 1 pack cover. ( plastic bags or trash bags are OK, but not great)
  • 6 one gallon size plastic bags
  • 2 pairs of straps for attaching gear.
Sleeping:
  • 1 sleeping bag rated to at least 30 degrees. Not too bulky.
  • 1 stuff sack lined with plastic bag for sleeping bag.
  • 1 ground cloth, 6 ml plastic, 6' x 8'
  • 1 foam pad
  • 1 wool hat
  • 1 SMALL flashlight with NEW batteries ( headlamps are great )
  • extra batteries
Clothing:
  • 1 pair of hiking books, well broken in. ( WEAR, Do not pack )
  • 2 - 3 pairs of wool socks washed at least once
  • 2 pairs thin liner socks to wear under wool sock if needed (*)
  • 1 sweater or fleece jacket
  • 2 pairs of underwear
  • 1 rain suit -- jacket with hood, and pants ( NO PONCHOS )
  • 1 pair lightweight sneakers to wear in camp
  • 1 brimmed hat -- baseball or crush type
  • 2 pairs of lightweight shorts ( nylon with pockets are great )
  • 1 pair lightweight long pants ( nylon with pockets ) NO JEANS.
  • 1 long sleeve shirt ( polypro is great )
  • 3 T-shirts
  • 1 pair lightweight gloves ( polypro )
  • 1 or 2 bandannas (*)
  • 1 pair gaiters (*)
Eating:
  • 1 mess kit bowl ( not the entire mess kit )
  • 1 cup for drinking and measuring
  • 1 spoon ( no need for knife and fork, but can be brought)
  • 2 unbreakable water bottles ( quart size. Make sure they do not leak )
Personal Care:
  • 1 small bar of soap or liquid biodegradable soap
  • 1 toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste
  • 1 comb (*)
  • 1 small towel
  • 1 foot powder (*)
  • 1 personal First Aid kit
  • 1 sunscreen (*)
  • 1 mirror (*)
  • 1 insect repellant ( no sprays )
  • Special medication ( INFORM LEADER )
  • 1 small sack stuffed with plastic to hold gear for bear bag
Miscellaneous:
  • 1 pocket knife ( NO sheath knives )and Totin' Chip
  • 1 compass
  • 1 whistle ( for emergencies )
  • 1 extra bulb for flashlight
  • 1 camera with extra film (*)
  • 1 watch (*)
  • 1 small waterproof notepad with pencil (*)
  • 4 large safety pins
  • 50 feet of nylon cord
  • 2 large trash bags
  • 1 small sewing kit (*)
  • 1 duct tape wrapped around pencil (*)
  • 1 small sack to hold misc. gear (*)
GROUP GEAR: ( To be divided among the hikers )
Provided by the Troop or Patrol but carried by you ...
  • Tent with poles
  • toilet paper
  • small latrine shovel
  • backpack stoves
  • stove fuel
  • kitchen utensils
  • paper towels or handiwipes
  • repair kit
  • water bags
  • water filters
  • pots
  • bear bag
  • tarps
  • aluminum foil