My one winter excursion, spending the night in Yosemite valley while it's 12 degrees overnight was nominally successful. but I'd do a couple things very differently. First of all, get a damned sleeping bag rated for that. I used my regular sleeping bag with a liner to amp it up and shivered all night and had nightmares about my parents telling me what to do. Second lesson is either wear new socks and gloves in the morning after a sleep, or sleep with your socks/gloves in your bag. What inevitably happens is that they get all sweaty from hiking, then freeze solid overnight, and it's hell getting them to do anything for you again. I had to move around for a good hour before I could feel my feet and hands again in the morning.
I've done the inadequate sleeping bag thing before too. Type II fun for sure! (not fun at the time, but fun to talk about later) Great tips, and also keep the shoes or boot liners warm. I almost got frostbite after forgetting to put my shoes into my sleeping bag (inside a plastic bag) at 0F and having to pack up in the morning wearing ice blocks.
I generally dislike winter, but I do a pretty good job of reframing it and appreciating the beauty here and there. Thus far this winter, that is not doable though since it's been below zero and we have virtually no snow to enjoy visually. Hopefully that changes soon. I'd like to get a wide angle lens so that I can partake in winter photography and maybe some light hiking. I suppose I'll need heavy duty hiking boots too.
I really hope you get some snow! Cold without snow just isn't worth it. A wide angle lens would be great--I'm just imagining some of those shots!
For most people, all they really need for winter is something which will keep their feet warm and dry. I did a three night backpacking trip in the UP of Michigan down to 0F in lightweight, non-waterproof trail runners, as well as plenty of other winter trips. I did use a waterproof GoreTex sock though. (Yes, these were the same shoes which became ice blocks when I forgot to keep them warm overnight.) You probably already have the socks needed, and maybe even a running shoe which is slightly oversize to allow enough room for extra socks. (This is important: blood flow = warmth.) Try this, working from foot outward:
thin polyester, polypropylene, silk, or nylon liner sock (even men's dress sock or hose sock would work)
turkey size oven bag taped with duct tape loosely around the ankle for snug fit (this is a vapor barrier liner to protect your socks from sweat moisture)
the warmest, thickest wool sock you can fit in your shoe and still keep the fit a bit on the loose side
another turkey size oven bag put into your shoe, but with the shoe insole on the inside of the bag (this is the outer waterproof layer)
spare oven bags and duct tape (although I never needed these on my three day trip)
try to use some type of Aerogel-insulated insole instead of the regular one if you can (Toasty Feet brand is what I use)
whatever footwear you want to use: boots, trail runners, moccassins...
This keeps me warm while hiking down to around 0-10F
Snow still hasn't lost its novelty for me. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've seen snow. There is a certain magic to waking up to snow in the morning.
I moved to Europe about four months ago, so I'm keen to schedule some weekends away in the new year. Currently on my list are: Iceland, Norway, parts of Sweden, Scotland, Wales.
I've also never been skiing or snowboarding before. I'd like to try those things. I need to do a bit more research on where to go, however.
I come from a mild to warm climate, so anything below 15ºC (~60ºF) feels like winter to me, ha.
That's very exciting! I'd like to visit all of those countries in the winter!