Springtime Backpacking - 4 Things to be Prepared
Springtime in Durango can be very pleasant during the day but cold at night, especially if you’re not prepared for frigid cold weather, especially at higher elevations. It can result in a trip that ends early. This was the case when my family and I went on a backpacking trip in mid-May of 2020.
Below are four things to be prepared for when backpacking in the springtime. We intended to spend two nights backpacking but only stayed one night. Since we were cold and miserable and had no rest, the decision to end the trip was inevitable.
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Beware of weather
For Durango, spring weather can be nice and warm during the daytime but cold at night, with a temperature change from 70s to 30s (degrees F). Being aware of the weather and the possibility of it being colder when climbing in elevation will help better prepare you.
Being prepared for cold
Preparation is vital for any backpacking trip, but specific things are necessary to be prepared for colder nights in the woods. As with many things, these things are subject to personal preference.
Warm layers are a must. I bring sweatpants, long socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a hoodie, and a warm hat to sleep in. A long-sleeved shirt and a hoodie allow me to add or remove layers if necessary. My long socks are typically the hiking socks I plan to wear the next day. A warm hat such as a beanie serves me several different purposes. I can unfold the cap and cover my face to block out the sunlight and cover my nose so it can stay cold. I am not a fan of burying my head in my sleeping bag.
In addition to warm clothing, a sleeping pad, and a cold weather sleeping bag. I get out quickly, especially when I sleep, so a cold-weather sleeping bag is a must, even during summer nights. It is significantly easier to stay warm than it is to get warm. I like this sleeping bag - though it may not be the lightest, it keeps me warm. They also have a mummy bag option as well that is a little lighter.
Being preparing a dog for cold nights
Miss Lyla watching for critters in the high country during our trip in June. Started getting chilly so of course shes got her warm coat on. Which is also waterproof on the outside.
I also brought my dog with me for the first time, and since I wasn’t nearly as prepared for cold nights myself as I should have been, I did not prepare her either. She ended up under my sleeping bag, making me even more cold. But at that point, I was more concerned with ensuring she was warm than myself. Since then, I have provided her with a blanket and a little doggie jacket packed in her little backpack.
Preparing for rain showers
Afternoon rain showers are always possible anywhere in the high country, both spring and summer. So, having proper rain gear is a must. I have a rain jacket to keep most of my clothes dry and a pack cover to keep my pack dry. Some backpackers prefer oversized ponchos to quickly access and throw on themselves and their pack. One thing you do not want is wet clothes when it creeps into the colder nights.
Even though it is warmer during the day and springtime in the Rocky Mountains, it gets pretty cold at night. By utilizing these tips, you will have an incredible time backpacking during the spring. Don’t make the same mistakes I did, and be prepared! What tips do you have for backpacking in colder weather? What mistakes have you made that could help others?
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