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What’s in your backpack is key part of successful winter hiking in Smokies

February 5, 2014

Frost-covered treetops in GSMNP - Photo by Sam McGroom

by Lori Garufi

on LeConte Lodge porch
Lori Garufi served birthday cake on the LeConte Lodge porch as part of a hike to recognize Margaret Stevenson’s 101st birthday. Photo by Julie Dodd

We haven’t done much winter hiking this year due to extreme cold. Anything with a view and NO creek crossings would be my choice.

I also love Old Settlers in the winter. There are lots of old homesites and relics that are normally covered with vegetation in the summer, not to mention the poison ivy!

We recently hiked Lead, Bote to Spence Field just for lunch. The view was amazing, of course.

We are still trying to get over to Bryson City for a hike, but haven’t been able to get across Newfound Gap for the last four Wednesdays. Watch out for road closures that could leave you stranded on the wrong side of the mountain from home.

I carry more gear in the winter than I do in summer.

Extra layers, thermal underwear, emergency heat blanket, hot hands, gloves, hat, neck gaiter, crampons or spikes, wind shell (rain shell), fleece, goose down coat, rain pants, leg gaiters.

This is in addition to the normal things like food, water, water filter, spare socks, waterproof boots, hiking sticks, and a spare water bottle.

Many things I pack in Ziploc bags.  Spare socks aren’t any good if they get wet. I found that out one day when I fell in a creek, and my backpack got drenched.  It wasn’t even raining.

I also tend to carry more “other” stuff than most. Some things never come out of my pack — a multi-tool, “potty bag” (tp, Ziplocs, girlie stuff), meds (Advil, Benadryl, Tums), extra electrolyte powder, athletic tape, athletic wrap, Moleskin, Band-Aids, Neosporin, rope, 55-gallon trash bags.

I always bring a headlamp with extra batteries and cellphone. Night comes early in these mountains. And two other things that are really nice to have on a winter hike — hot soup and a hot beverage.

When I empty my pack to give it a wash, I’m amazed at how much stuff is in there, but there is nothing I would leave out.

Something else I learned — replace used items as soon as you get home. It stinks being out on the trail with a sore anything and finding out you forgot to replace the Advil, or you don’t have any Moleskin.  Many times I have used items to assist other hikers in distress:  tape, Band-Aids, Moleskin, Advil, electrolyte powder.

Oh, and a side note:  Water bladder tubes freeze at about 22 degrees. Stuff them in your shirt to keep them warm and blow the water back into the bladder between sips.  That’s where the spare water bottle comes in handy.

Do you have a Smokies winter hike to recommend or winter hiking tips to advise. Please email info@friendsofthesmokies.org

Read more about winter hiking — Tips for winter hiking in the Smokies.

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization has been helping to preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and awareness and recruiting volunteers for needed projects. Over the last 21 years, support from Friends of the Smokies members, sponsors, donors, and Tennessee and North Carolina specialty license plate owners has totaled more than $43 million. Visit our website at FriendsOfTheSmokies.org

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