thenhoc

Ok, so I can't find the other messages about the winter backpacking training trip, so I decided to just create the topic in the upcoming trips.
anyways-what is it with u ppl scheduling trips the same time as my DD? Now I have to reschedule it for the 2nd time!
anyways, I hope everyone is having a wonderful vacation, got what they wanted for xmas, and was a wonderful New Years
Kat
PS I got a 0 degree sleeping bag-3.5lbs! with a fleeceliner. and i got some -25 degree winter waterproof hiking boots from columbia. will those be good enough for the trip?
PPS and a wave leatherman!

Hi Kat,

Sounds like you had a good Christmas, at least from a gear standpoint!

I assume you received the e-mail I sent out to everyone who signed up for Winter Mountaineering Training weekend. I'm sorry it interfered with your Defensive Driving (I didn't realize you'd scheduled it for that weekend!) but we did it that weekend because we needed time to get van funding. We also wanted to do it as close to the beginning of the semester as possible, so as not to interfere with our regular trips.

The Columbia boots you got sound really warm and awesome, and would be perfect for sledding, snowshoeing, most winter backpacking, and plenty of other winter activities. For Winter Mountaineering Training, though, everyone needs mountaineering boots that are crampon compatible. Some crampons have straps and can be strapped on to any boot, including your new ones! But the crampons designed to fit crampon compatible boots have a round metal piece (called a bail) in the front that fit into a groove in the front of the boot. They also have a plastic piece in the back that snaps into place over a groove on the heel of the boot. It makes the crampons more secure and reliable, and when mountaineering you naturally want crampons to be as secure and reliable as possible!

Here in New England, it is common to have double mountaineering boots made of out plastic. The outer shell is plastic and then there's a removeable liner that can be taken into your sleeping bag at night (though that won't be necessary for Winter Mountaineering Training, as we'll be in Jackson cabin both nights!)

Plastic boots are fine when moving around, but are not very warm when just standing still. Mine are made by Koflach and the website claims they are "toasty warm" to -40. I have no idea how they figure that, as I've been out in -30 in mine and my feet were anything but "toasty warm". Coincidentally Koflach is currently going out of business, though I don't think it's related because the do make an excellent product, despite a few inaccuracies in their advertising.

Part of the reason plastic boots are not warm is because plastic conducts the cold very easily. Your Columbia boots, rated to -25, are probably much more likely to keep your feet warm at -25. Their soles are made of rubber instead of plastic, and rubber is a much better insulator from the cold. The mountaineering boots are required for Winter Mountaineering Training because of the crampon compatability and also because they are rigid enough to be able to kick into snow and ice and get the holds and traction necessary to keep moving. As I said, though, your Columbia boots will be excellent for any winter activities that do not require technical boots, as they will keep your feet much warmer.

I hope this helps to answer your questions, Kat. And thanks for starting this topic! I'd been meaning to start a topic on Winter Mountaineering Training myself and hadn't gotten around to it. If anyone has any questions, comments, concerns, advice, or anything else, either post it here or e-mail Jim or myself.

Aaron