Winter question for Ranger Dave

[Mushaney]

Hello Ranger Dave,

Do you normally pack snow shoes if hiking above High Creek, or just crampons and ice axe? What other winter gear are you bringing, besides warm clothes and bag?

Thank you

[Ranger Bill]

Is this for a day trip or overnight? If it is for the former. Think along the lines of a 24 hour pack. Take the conditions on the summit and plan your clothes and safety gear…foam pad and insulation layers. I, also, bring a stove, which can come in handy for melting water for cocoa or to be put in a bottle to supplement an insulation layer, if for any reason I get stuck out, white out or injury.

As for traction devices, conditions dictate. If you do not know the conditions, you bring everything. This most recent storm dump very little snow and what there is granular fluff, like 2 years ago, not the Sierra Cement type we got last year. See my conditions report for the San Bernardino Peak Trail.

Have a safe trip.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 1 month ago by Ranger Bill.

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