Can someone outline for me exactly how to prepare for winter backpacking/camping?

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Tony Pro

I am an experienced distance hiker, but I've never pitched a tent in the snow before. I'll be hiking around Slovakia over Christmas and New Years. I can dress warmly enough, but is there a specific kind of tent I need to buy? Or sleeping bag? And anything else I should think about?
Advice from experienced outdoorsmen much appreciated!

Answer
Yes, there is a specific sort of tent you should buy, it's called a "single walled tent" and they're more expensive than usual three season double walled tents. Because blowing or falling or drifting snow could get into any other sort of shelter the single walled tent is the only way to go. I mean besides building a snow cave.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/single_wall_tents_shelters_review_summary.html
http://www.outdoorswithdave.com/camping/building_a_snow_cave.htm

Before you set up your tent on snow it's important to stomp the snow down, stand back and let it harden for a while, then set up the tent. You'll have to consider wind protection in case of storms, pitch your tent in a protected area, whether to build a snow wall around your tent or dig out a hole to pitch your tent in, and avoid trees where snow has accumulated and might fall if the winds pick up. Rather than stakes you'll need snow stakes or make "dead men" out of bags filled with snow to which you'll tie off your tent and bury.

Of course you should have 1 1/2" - 2" of sleeping pad between you and the snow, and a sleeping bag of sufficient insulation. I recommend the use of a vapor barrier liner bag in sub-freezing conditions to prevent condensation from forming inside your sleeping bag insulation, especially important on long trips where a bag will fill with moisture.

http://www.netbackpacking.com/vapor-barrier-and-radiant-barrier-liners.html
http://www.basegear.com/integral-designs-hooded-vapor-barrier-liner.html

Here are pics from one of our snow-camping trips: http://paigefalk.smugmug.com/Backpacking/Dewey-Point-Snowshoe-Backpack/4357856_smgcd#255751461_WNrcM

what are the best shoes for a week long backpacking trip?

uslaxer

i plan on continuing to use them though, so obviously for more than a week. My first trip will be a week long and i'll have about four months to break them in (i plan on getting them on my birthday). Appalachian hiking right now, and a budget of about $50-90. i am willing to order online, but would love to go to a local sporting goods store-i have a gander mountain, dick's, backcountry ski and sport walkabout outfitters, and a few other nearby.

Answer
"Best" is an opinion given by reviews of products, one voice is not greater than many. Read the reviews and educate yourself on what hiking shoes need to be, here is an article on hiking shoes,
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-boots.html

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Title Post: Can someone outline for me exactly how to prepare for winter backpacking/camping?
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