Snowshoeing Day Hike Checklist

The 10+ Essentials

• Extra clothing
• Drinking water in an insulated container
• Compass
• Pocket knife
• Sunscreen
• Matches in a waterproof container (a lighter works well, too)

• Extra food
• Map of the area in a waterproof case
• Fire starter (or a candle)
• First aid kit
• Sunglasses
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra bulb and batteries

Hiking Gear

• Snowshoes
• Daypack large enough for winter gear - these may be listed as overnight packs (check out the models with shovel pockets!)
• Vacuum bottle for hot drinks (nothing draws a crowd like hot chocolate on the trail!)
• All-weather blanket to block wind during lunch breaks or for emergency use

• Insulated sit pad
• Ski or snowshoe poles (or trekking poles with snow baskets)
• Chemical hand and foot warmers
• Camera, film, binoculars, snowman-building instructions

Clothing (Men's, Women's, Kids')

• Wicking long underwear (such as MTS® or Capilene®)
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater

• Regular underwear
• Fleece or wool pants

Outerwear (Men's, Women's, Kids')

• Outer shell jacket (waterproof/breathable such as Gore-tex® or Elements®) OR single-layer, soft-shell jacket
• Waterproof gloves or over mitts or shelled ski gloves
• Neck gaiter or balaclava

• Outer shell pants (waterproof/breathable such as Gore-tex® or Elements®) OR single-layer, soft-shell pants
• Fleece or wool mittens or gloves
• Fleece or wool hat or headband

Footwear (Men's, Women's, Kids')

• Gaiters
• Leather hiking boots (treated with waterproofing) OR insulated winter boots OR plastic mountaineering boots

• Wicking liner socks
• Hiking, mountaineering or ski socks (wool or synthetic)

Backcountry Gear

• Avalanche transceiver (beacon)
• Ice axe
• Snow saw, snow crystal card, slope meter (for determining snow pack and avalanche conditions)

• Shovel
• Probe poles
• Altimeter

Snowshoe Repair Kit

• Duct tape
• Pliers
• Grommet repair kit (if your snowshoes are fastened with grommets)

• Nylon tie wraps
• Bailing wire
• Heavy-duty shoelace or length of cord

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