all I can advice on is a Wisconsin winter and it's harsh.
Let me see that. I can edit accordingly.
Last winter camp I did just happened to be the coldest winter in a decade.
Most of these things are learned through mistakes.
By the time me and my partner reached camp location night was falling and we were freezing. Try striking a ferro rod when you're shivering...
Also standard bic lighters were useless.
- zippo / match / exelarant.Even without rain the heat from your body will continuously melt the snow that it rubs up against and you'll get wet.
- Use absolutely NO cotton, it takes for ever to dry and you'll be instantly cold. - A good set of high rise gaitors are a god's sent.Snow that's been laying for a while becomes course and abrasive so don't use footwear that relies on polish for it's water proof/resilient properties. This will be rubbed off. Also soaked wet leather boots freeze over night making the morning extra fun.
- So no USGI boots, use a modern boot where the leather is able to be impregnated with silicone spray. The ability not to wear a set of super boots for a few minutes and still be able to move around is amazing.
- The lightest weight foam flip flops/moccasins you can imagine.Imagine -40 you're next to a fire and you're still freezing in your super sleeping bag. You've taken off your outer layer to dry, now you've got to piss.
-A wide mouth Gatorade bottle. (sorry ladies)The majority of the heat from the fire will go up in a cone shape if you can get the awning of your shelter in proximity of that and line it with a reflective sheet you'll be able to radiate a good portion of that back to you.
- A Mylar blanket with (home made) attachment pointsYou can decrease your distance from the fire (desirable) by covering your synthetic bivy bag with a wool / canvas sheet. to protect the fagile shell from fire sparks.
- A thin wool / canvas blanket.Flat terrain was HARD to find and everything was covered in snow. for moving snow and leveling terrain.
- shovel with rotating head. E-tool type. I think i'm getting this one to replace my oldiewhile possible hiking through snow is exausting, Snow shoes would have been nice (i'd actually like some purchasing advice on these.)
- A set of snow shoes rated for the weight of your packWhile we were next to a river we couldn't break through the ice to get the water so we used snow melt as our sole water source which melts faster if you've got a wider heating base. then that of a canteen cup.
- Stainless steel pan/potThe route back was on Forrest roads. while plowed they were every bit as difficult as trekking through the snow. because maintaining balance on that inclined ice rink with a heavy pack sure was interesting.
- crampons for snow/ice mix I made the mistake of carrying a long gun with a 1 point sling. Fuck 1 point slings...
- 2 point slingIf you're planning on doing this "tactical" a set of non cotton snow cammies are ideal.
- Vertex Overwhite's & Eberlestock Snow pack cover (water proof)