Winter Longhike

Everything is different when you go into the backcountry in the winter; that's why there is Winter Longhike, an introductory trip for winter camping. This is usually a big trip with lots of keen people aboard who want to get out, learn some new skills, and sleep in their very own snow shelter while still managing to have fun too. It's an easy, beginner friendly trip, so if you've never even seen snow before you can still have a good time. Other fun activities that often happen at Winter Longhike are a cooking competition, sing alongs, costume competitions, and the occasional great ski run on Sunday.

Past destinations have included:

• Red Heather Meadowns in Garibaldi Park
• Fat Dog Creek in Manning Park
• Falls Lake (Coquihalla)
• Mt. Seymour

For dates see Trip agenda.

Winter Longhike 2006 will be at Red Heather Meadows.

Equipment List

Personal

>>> the only cotton clothing you should ever wear in winter is your underwear, and really not even that <<<

• sleeping pad
• sleeping bag (rated for winter or 3 season if you sleep warm)
• garbage bags (2-3)
• warm jacket (fleece or down)
• warm pants (fleece or thick long underwear)
• long underwear
• toque, mitts (2 pairs, or a set of waterproof shells)
• goggles and avalanche beacon if skiing Sunday
• warm socks (2 pairs)
• waterproof jacket (goretex or coated nylon)
• waterproof pants (goretex or coated nylon)
• gaiters
• cup, bowl, spoon, knife
• good waterproof boots (wax them before the trip) or ski boots
• skis and skins if skiing, or snowshoes
• poles
• toothbrush etc.
• sunscreen and glasses (we can hope, right?)
• water bottle (1L)
• lunch, snacks, breakfast, dinner contribution (in winter you will need 2500-3500 calories per day, fat-rich stuff keeps you warm)
• headlamp
• gas money for your driver
• camera if you want

Small Group

3-4 people per group, organized at trip meeting along with car groups

• shovels (1-2)
• probe
• stove + fuel + lighter (you'd be surprised how often one of these stays home)
• pots

Big Group

everyone

• first aid kits (2)
• song books (4)
• snow saw
• maps, compass, etc

Winter Longhike 2005

Maps to the Falls Lake area are available here for general driving and here for specific location. While going north on the Coquihalla highway, take the Falls Lake exit (last one before the toll booth) and go under the highway to the west side. You should be able to see VOC people there, and it is a short two to three kilometer hike to the campsite by the lake.