Cooking/Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clothing (carry spare clothing                                                                                    in a dry bag)

___ Firestarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Underwear

___ Stove/Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . ___ Longies

___ Matches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Shirts

___ Fork/Knife/Spoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Pants

___ Spatula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Insulation Layers

___ Cup/Bowl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Shell jacket

___ Plate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Shell pants

___ Frying Pan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Bandana

___ Pot(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Hat

___ Coffee/tea Pot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Glove/Mittens

___ Coffee/tea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Liner gloves

___ Spices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Socks

___ Salt/Pepper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Boots

___ Butter/oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Gaiters

___ Coffee Creamer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___  Camp booties

___ Sugar/sweetener. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Puffy jacket

___ Wine Glass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ _____________. . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ _____________

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ _____________

Shelter and Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . Sleeping System

___ Tent/fly/tarp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Ground Cloth

___ Tipi/woodstove/stovepipe. . . . . . . . ___ Foam Pad

___ Stakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Air mattress

___ Snow stakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Sleeping Bag

___ 20d nails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Pillow

___ extra cordage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Chair

___ Folding Saw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Sleeping silks/socks/hat

___ Camp axe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Handwarmers

___ Shovel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ _____________

___ Firestarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ Air Grill Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ _____________

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ _____________  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ _____________

Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hydration

___ Headlamp/Flashlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Water Bottle/Sleeve

___ Lantern (___LED            ___Gas)  . . . ___ Dromedary

___ Batteries (__AA __AAA __Other) . . . ___ Large pot (for melting snow)

___ _____________. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ SteriPEN/WaterFilter

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ _____________

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ _____________. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ _____________

___ _____________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   ___ _____________

Winter Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miscellaneous

___ Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Trash Bags

___ Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Ziploc Bags

___ GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Towel

___ Trekking poles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Sunglasses/goggles

___ Snowshoes/skis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Sunscreen

___ Traction aids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Book

___ Backpack and/or Pulk . . .  . . . . . . .___  Camera

Hygiene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emergency Kit (in separate case)

___ Toilet Paper  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ knife and sharpener

___ “Baby Wipes” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ waterproof matchsafe/matches

___ Hand Sanitizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ butane lighter, flint-and steel

___ Toothbrush/floss/toothpick    . . . .   ___ Firestarters

___ Toothpaste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ Spare compass

___ Soap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . .___ LED flashlight with batteries

___ Shampoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___  55 gal. Contractor trash bags(2)

___ Comb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Whistle

___ _______________  . . . . . . . . . . . .  ___ 15 feet waterproof tape

___  _______________  . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ 30 feet nylon parachute cord

___  _______________ . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Large twist ties (12)

___ _______________ . . . . . . . . . . . . ___ Large safety pins (4)

___ _______________ . . . . . . . . . . . .___ Needle and thread

First Aid Kit (one per group) . . . . . . . Food

___ Prescription meds                                         ___ _______________

___ Pain pills                                                            ___ _______________

___ Anti-diarrheal                                                 ___ _______________

___ Blister coverings                                             ___ _______________

___ Bandaids/butterfly closures                             ____ ______________

___ Tape                                                                               ___ _______________

___ Sterile Compresses                                                ___ _______________

___ Sterile wipes and Neosporin                             ___ _______________

___ needle and tweezers                                              ___ _______________

___ dental filling repair kit                                         ___ _______________

___ small Ace bandage                                                 ___ _______________

___ superglue                                                                   ___ _____________

___ _____________                                                ___ _____________

___ _____________                                                 ___ _____________

___ _____________                                             ___ _____________

Cold Comfort! A woodstove keeps Matt Marean warm as he packs up his gear after having survived his first night ever in a backpacking tent camp. (David Shedd photo)

My young friend Matt clearly needed a little time away from his parents. So my buddy David and I invited him on his first-ever backpacking trip. Sleeping out in a tent in the middle of winter with a couple of feet of snow on the ground expands your horizons and teaches you some valuable lessons—whether you recognize them at the time or not.

David walked Matt through the whole packing process, showing him what he needed and why. He let Matt pack his own pack—leaving room for common gear and food. Lesson: we are all essentially responsible for ourselves and we all need to carry our fair share.

We met for a HUGE breakfast. Like many teenagers, Matt wakes up reluctantly; his appetite wakes even later. I think he was stunned by the amount of food David and I ate so early in the morning. But calories you eat before you leave the trailhead are calories you don’t have to carry in your pack. Lesson: Sometimes, long-term benefits outweigh immediate desires.

At the trailhead, we shouldered our packs, strapped on snowshoes and headed out. Matt’s bindings gave him trouble so we stopped to readjust. Lesson: We all stick together and help as needed.

Many hands make light work! Matt and David pitch in to clear away two feet of snow from a spot to pitch their winter tent. (Tim Jones photo)

Our planned hike wasn’t long—a lesson David and I learned the hard way—and we all took turns breaking trail in the deep snow. When we arrived at the campsite, we all grabbed shovels to dig out the tent site and firepit. Then we set up the tipi, gathered firewood and got the necessary camp chores done. Matt took the initiative when he saw something that needed doing, and took direction when necessary. Lesson: First things first; if everyone pitches in, chores get done.

After lunch, I set up the woodstove and finished camp chores, while Matt and David took a hike to see some scenery. Lesson: Leave time for fun. I encountered a problem with the stovepipe that we eventually solved: Lesson: use your head(s) and don’t give up.

Warmth in the wilderness. With plenty of firewood and steaks to cook, David Shedd and Matt Marean can enjoy a warm refuge on a chilly winter backpacking trip. (Tim Jones photo)

Our evening was spent dreaming the campfire, cooking steaks, talking topics as large as our place in the universe (a natural topic with infinite stars overhead) and as small as how to keep a campfire going. I don’t know that any of us learned anything profound—but I don’t know that we didn’t, either. It was the kind of free-flowing conversation punctuated by natural silences that people can share when they aren’t bombarded by constant artificial images and noise. Lesson: sometimes it’s OK to just be in the moment.

David and I both slept well, cozy and relaxed in a familiar setting. Lesson: trust your gear. As always, we woke up occasionally, listened to the wind in the trees and went right back to sleep. Matt admitted he had trouble sleeping. He wasn’t cold as much as afraid of being cold. That’s not uncommon for new campers. Lesson: sometimes you just have to get through a bad night to reach a new day.

In the morning, the woodstove kept us toasty warm as we ate breakfast and dressed. Then we packed up, put on our snowshoes and hiked out. Matt took the lead and we urged him to range ahead and follow the trail on his own . . . If Matt learned any lessons from his moments alone, he didn’t say.

David and I are planning another winter overnight soon. We’re hoping Matt can join us. Life isn’t a spectator sport. Get out and enjoy!

Lessons  Learned Outdoors

I honestly can’t tell you if Matt learned anything from his quick overnight adventure with one man who is old enough to be his grandfather (that would be me) and one who is seriously involved with his mother and therefore a father figure by default. We tried to share a lot with him in a very short time.

I suspect he did learn, but it may take time for those lessons to become clear. That’s the way we all learn.

I can’t even begin to tell you all the lessons I’ve  learned from being outdoors over the years; Lessons about what’s really valuable. Lessons about what’s really necessary and what isn’t, about being alone and working with other people, who you can trust, who you can’t and what friendship really means. Lessons about planning and preparing, about  making good decisions and sticking to them, or about changing direction when circumstances changed, and about backing out when going forward would be foolhardy. Lessons about thinking my way out of trouble when trouble unexpectedly came to find me.

And that’s the big stuff. There were also simple little lessons about how good it feels to use your body the way it was designed to be used, how to take care of yourself day to day.

I know there are venues for learning life lessons other than getting active outdoors. But getting outdoors and doing things is so much fun! And it’s so easy and natural to learn in little steps along the way.

It takes one step at a time to travel a long trail, and life is a very long trail. Spending time outdoors is a natural learning process. Learn as you go from any source you can, and live your life as if it wasn’t a spectator sport.

Gearing Up

No one should ever use “I don’t have the stuff I need,” as an excuse for not doing something active outdoors. Not in this day in age. David and I had enough spare gear between us to outfit Matt. If we hadn’t, we could have rented what we needed.

Every cross-country ski area rents skis and most rent snowshoes. There’s a comprehensive list of resorts at the Cross Country Ski Areas Association (www.xcski.org) and you can get lessons as well. When summer comes, kayaks and bikes are easy to rent

If you have an EMS or REI store nearby, both rent excellent camping and mountaineering equipment at very reasonable prices.

There are also on-line sources for longer-term rentals at (www.lowergear.com) and (www.gogitto.com). They’ll ship whatever you need to your door. I’ve never used either of these so can’t recommend from personal experience but the websites look professional, the gear they are offering is proven, and the concept looks legitimate.

Note: this list is always a work in progress, feel free to contact us with additions or quibbles timjones@easternslopes.com or dshedd@easternslopes.com

* Essential Items for every trip

** Essentials which vary by season

Clothing (NOT cotton!!!)
___ Underwear **
___ Socks *
___ Pants/zip-off shorts *
___ Shirts *
___ insulation** (fleece, wool, Down, pile)
___ Rain Jacket/pants*
___ Hat**
___ Boots**
___ Gaiters**
___ Glove/Mittens**
___ Bandana*
___ Slippers/camp shoes**
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

Emergency Kit* (in separate case)
___ knife and sharpener (not the one you carry in your pocket)
___Matches in waterproof matchsafe, butane lighter, flint-and steel
___ Firestarters (two kinds) in film canisters
___ Spare compass
___ LED flashlight with spare batteries
___ Whistle
___ 55 gal. Contractor trash bags (2)
___ 15 feet Heavy-duty waterproof tape
___ 30 feet nylon parachute cord
___ Large twist ties (12)
___ Large safety pins (4)
___ Needle and thread
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

First Aid Kit*
___ Prescription meds
___ Pain pills (ibuprofen)
___ Anti-diarrheal
___ Blister coverings (moleskin or blister pads)
___ Bandaids, butterfly closures, superglue
___ Tape
___ Sterile Compresses
___ Sterile wipes and Neosporin
___ needle and tweezers
___ dental filling repair kit
___ small Ace bandage
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

General Supplies
__  Headlamp/Flashlight*
___ pocket knife *
___ Ziploc Bags*
___ trash bags*
___ nylon cord*
___duct tape* (10’ roll)
___ Lantern
____Spare mantles
___ Batteries (__AA __AAA __C __D __Other)
___ Tarp/Cooking fly
___ Camera
___ Binoculars
___ Chair
___ Book
___ Playing cards/games
___ Folding Saw
___ Hiking poles
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

Hydration
___ Water bladder(s) or bottle(s)*
___ Water filter
___ Water purification tablets
___ Steri Pen
___ ______________
___ ______________

Hygiene/grooming
___ Toilet Paper*
___ “Baby Wipes”*
___ biodegradable soap
___ Toothbrush*
___ Dental floss*
___ Toothpaste/baking soda
___ Shampoo
___ Comb
___ Towel
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

Insect Protection**
___ Insect repellent
___ headnet
___ bug suit
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

Kitchen
___ Stove/fuel*
___ Matches *
___ Fork/Knife/Spoon*
___ Plate*
___ Cup or bowl*
___ Salt/Pepper*
___ Spices*
___ Coffee/tea Pot
___ Coffee/tea/sugar/creamer
___ Frying Pan
___ Pot(s)
___ Spatula or large spoon
___ Firestarters
___ Grill
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

Navigation
___ Compass    *
___ Map *
___ GPS

Sleeping Supplies
___ Tent/bivvy sack/tarp **
___ Ground Cloth*
___ Mattress Pad**
___ Sleeping Bag **
___ Pillow
___ earplugs
___ ______________
___ ______________

Sun Protection*
___ Sun Hat
___ Facemask
___ Sunglasses
___ Sunscreen
___ Lip balm
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________

FOOD

___ tea
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________
___ ______________