Winter EduTrips Clothing & Equipment
List of Necessary Clothing and Equipment for Mount Washington Observatory Winter EduTrip Participants.
- All items specified for your particular course. (These items, if any, will be listed on the descriptive sheet for the course you select.)
- Long underwear, tops and bottoms (wool or synthetic -- not cotton).
- Wool or synthetic pants (Jeans, corduroys, or any cotton pants are not acceptable).
- Wool or synthetic (e.g. fleece, pile) shirts and sweaters (not cotton!).
- Insulated boots - double plastic mountaineering boots, (recommended; they can be rented, with crampons, from some mountaineering stores), "Sorel" type with dry felt liners and felt insoles, or quality vapor-barrier boots (such as genuine "Mickey Mouse" boots). Gaiters are also recommended, but are optional if the cuffs of your wind pants overlap your boottops securely. Boots must fit well, but not so tightly as to constrict circulation. SUMMER HIKING BOOTS ARE UNACCEPTABLE!!
- Two pair wool or synthetic socks (not cotton) to fit comfortably in boots.
- Insulated jacket (down, fiberfill, heavy pile, etc.) (not cotton!).
- Rugged wind parka (not cotton!) with securely attached hood. (Simple snaps can fail in high winds.) Some Arctic parkas (not cotton!) can do double duty as 7 and 8, though they are less versatile than the combination of a wind parka and a separate insulated jacket.)
- Wind pants. (Ski "warm-up" pants are acceptable.)(not cotton!) A good quality, (not cotton) snowmobile-type suit with attached hood can serve as 7, 8, and 9.
- Wool or synthetic balaclava or cap, with tightly knit scarf or facemask.
- Ski goggles (it's often good to apply an anti-fog preparation ahead of time).
- Down mittens or windproof mitten shells with wool or pile liners. Some well-insulated ski gloves with long, "gauntlet" cuffs, are acceptable, though a quality mitten will almost always be warmer. Light synthetic inner gloves are also handy to have in addition.
- Sleeping bag rated for 32 degrees F. or colder, tightly rolled or stuffed inside a plastic bag, and a pillowcase.
- Crampons, which fit your boots securely. If you don't have crampons, you may be able to borrow a pair from the Observatory if we are given sufficient advance notice. Although the crampons we have are adjustable, they may not fit very small or very large boots.
- An ice axe (if you know how to use one) or a ski pole.
- A spare set of socks, spare gloves or mittens, a spare warm hat, and, if you wish, a change of casual clothes (including slippers or sneakers) for indoor wear, packed in a plastic bag inside your pack or duffle. (Cotton is acceptable for casual wear to be worn inside.) Also raingear -- it can rain here even in winter. An insulated water bottle (full) and snack food should also be packed along in case of an emergency.
- Don't forget your camera or camcorder, plenty of film (or equivalent) and spare batteries and/or battery charger, and your toiletries, including towel, handkerchief, sunglasses, spare eyeglasses if you wear glasses, and any medications (prescription or over-the-counter) you might need on a regular or occasional basis. Also, sleepwear for the common bunkrooms, and, especially if you are a light sleeper, earplugs.
There are no exceptions to items 2 through 15 above except as noted.
The Observatory has a few spare pairs of crampons which can be loaned out in response to an advance request, but be sure to make your request at least a week before your trip to allow yourself time to obtain the items elsewhere if all of ours are already reserved.
Personal gear not listed above should be kept to a minimum, since space and carrying capacity of the vehicle is very limited. Most gear should be secured in plastic bags and then packed in a backpack or duffle, which will be carried in the exposed rooftop rack of the snow tractor. (The plastic bags INSIDE the backpack or duffle will protect the items from snow and other moisture; the backpack or duffle itself will provide a rugged enough exterior to protect the plastic bags from tearing. Plus, the backpack or duffle straps will allow roping-in and securing the baggage to the exposed rooftop rack of the snow tractor.)
Items which may be quickly needed, such as goggles, face mask or scarf, crampons, camera, and water and snack food should be carried on your lap in a small backpack inside the snow tractor. When you board the snow tractor, whether at the base or at the summit, you should be clothed, equipped, and otherwise prepared to walk if the situation requires.
L.L. Bean is the exclusive outerwear supplier for the Mount Washington Observatory