What accessories should you have when shoeshoeing?

insulated lunch bag set image

Connie

Should you have eye goggles, poles, helmet/hat, and what else if its your first time.

Answer
Poles are a good idea because they help with balance, probing the snow when making stream crossings, helping you get out of deep snow if you posthole through the crust, they help when descending steep terrain and can be used to give yourself a boost when going uphill too. They can also be use to make a splint in an emergency and can also be used to hold up a tarp if you need to make a shelter.

Helmet....no, unless your snowshoeing trip will also include technical mountaineering. Then you might want a climbing helmet.

Goggles...not normally. They tend to fog up, but in extreme climates they could be useful. Sunglasses, however, are a very good idea, especially on sunny days.

Good boots and warm socks are very important. Bring extra socks in your pack, even for a day trip.

Wear more thin layers instead of less heavy layers. You can get really warm while snowshoeing, even in very cold weather, but you'll want something extra to have when you stop for a break. If going overnight, make sure you bring an entire change of baselayer clothing and a warm sleeping bag. Wool and synthetic clothes are ideal, avoid cotton at all costs.

Gloves and hats...I tend to wear thin, windblocking gloves while snowshoeing and keep a heavier set in my pack in the event I get cold or wet. Hats are another story. Like I said, you get warm when snowshoeing, so often I will wear a ball cap and keep a knit or fleece hat for when I stop. If it is a particularly cold day and need to wear a knit hat while snowshoeing, I will keep an extra in my pack in the event the one I'm wearing gets wet and/or sweaty.

Things to bring:

Water (if you use a hydration pack generally it won't freeze, but your line might) otherwise stash the bottles in your pack or use an insulating cover to keep them from freezing. Hot water kept in a thermos is also a good idea. Drink a lot of water. People tend to really get dehydrated in the winter because they don't feel thirsty.

Food. High Calorie stuff like energy bars and instant soup too (bring a cup and spoon for the soup.) Trail Mix or other snacks.

Sunscreen, lip balm, whistle, map, compass, matches/lighter, some lint, tinder, or other firestarting material (in a plastic bag), 1st Aid stuff, pocketknife, water purification chemical or filter, you may want a small backpacking stove if you want to cook lunch.

Watch the weather, especially in the mountains. For long day trips it would be wise to prepare the night outside. An emergency bivy shelter or even a sleeping bag would not be a bad idea. Likewise, if you are going into avalanche prone areas make sure you check the conditions and take a beacon, shovel, and avy probes. Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

Be Safe & Have Fun!

Are there any alternatives to having a screw top bottle.?

WWE Foreve

I recently went to my school and they said that screw top bottles are not allowed. Which most of thermos and bottles have screw tops. Does anyone have any ideas of what I should use instead of screw top bottles. I really like to keep foods hot and drinks cold. I would like it if someone could find bottles or thermoses without screw tops. I would really appreciate that!
Thanks!

Answer
That limits the options quite a bit. Some models I can suggest are:

For FOOD:

Option 1: Zojirushi type thermos bento lunch jars.

http://www.zappos.com/zojirushi-classic-bento-vacuum-lunch-jar-ultra-black?channel=126&si7757425=&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=138A9AB8-71EE-DF11-8F9A-001B2163195C

The top 2 inner containers have plastic lids but the bottom one has a screw lid. The screw lid is the smallest container so you may be able to do without.

-- edit: I just realised the middle, large one is also a screw top (only a quarter turn). But you can still look through their range to find a non-screw top combination. --end edit

It does keep food warm/hot but you need to prep them first (putting very hot water in, then removing them before putting your foods that you want to keep hot).

The outer container is double-walled. All these items come in an insulated bag with eating implements (which vary depending on the model you buy). There are different configurations, colors and sizes that you can choose from.

I have two of these (similar to those in the above website but with gold-colored bags) and they do keep food reasonably warm/hot. Zojirushi often change the color scheme and bag designs.

Other versions (targeted at girls/women):
http://www.casa.com/p/zojirushi-mini-bento-stainless-lunch-jar-white-273582


Option 2: Heated thermos (Fuloon thermos lunch jar)

This has a power supply to warm your food at work/school (if you have access to power). I do not have this, so cannot give you an evaluation. It does look very useful though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fuloon-Stainless-Thermal-Layers-Design/dp/B007PN2Z9E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342339770&sr=8-1


For WATER/DRINKS (non-fizzy):

If you only want them cold, you can get Tupperware tumblers called Handoliers or Thirstbreak Tumblers with plastic lids like this:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=handolier

http://www.amazon.com/Set-Tupperware-Tumblers-Seals-Colors/dp/B004FDDVZE/ref=sr_1_23?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1342341109&sr=1-23&keywords=tumblers++tupperware

You really need insulation through the use of an insulation bag: keeps the cold and condensation droplets in.

You can also add reuseable ice to your tumbler; these do not dilute your drink and is ... reuseable.

Other accessories: ice pucks.

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