My Top 10 “Essential Winter Gear” For The Adirondack 46 - Safety & Traction - Gear Closet: Episode 1

This video outlines what gear I use for climbing the Adirondack Mountains in the winter season. I focus on function with my gear and don't buy particular products. Many products function in similar ways but budget can vary greatly. Below is my Top Ten Essential Winter Gear for the Adirondack Mountains. The list is in no particular order of importance.
1. Garmin InReach Satelite Communicator
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2. Winter "Ditty Bag" - Map/Compass/2 Headlamps/Fire Starters/ Multi-tool/Zipties for repairs
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3. MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoe
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4. Hillsound Trail Crampon
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5. Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampon
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6. Telescopic poles
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7. Backpack System - Will elaborate in a future video
8. Apparel Layering System - Will elaborate in a future video
9. Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaitors
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10. Miscellaneous Items hat come and go - Ice Axe/ Water Bottle Insulators/Goggles/Balaclava
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[@EtnaGarden]

Did you ever do the Backpack System video?

[@yonickyg9719]

great video - man nice!
one thing worth mentioning if I may, on the ice axe...you will not self arrest on an ice slope... snow slope, yes.
on the ice and steps of ice you encounter in the HP this pick will bounce and chatter along the way down, possibly inverting and impaling you.
if you want to use one proper you must train or practice in a safe (run out) place to learn what is possible and what is not, like all items of personal safety gear. just having it may be a classic false sense of security...

[@timothycarr9587]

I know this is almost a year old but I just came across this. Getting ready for winter hiking in the whites in NH. Love the video, but I'm having a hard time finding episode 2 and beyond. I've looked through your page and can't find them. Any chance you can reply with a link to however many episodes you made for this?
Thank you in advance for the help

[@Ed-hz2um]

Some good recommendations. However, I do NOT recommend the MSR EVO Ascent snowshoes. I used a pair of these in SAR work in the Sierras. After 3 years of use, the bindings and plastic footpad became brittle and broke. No replacement kit available, and I could not get anyone at MSR to return my emails or calls. There are good, comparable, lower-priced options out there with better, simpler bindings that also have the heel lift and grip teeth features.

[@alexhidel3732]

Thanks for the information

[@yonickyg9719]

i feel exactly the opposite .
I had these for over 25 years I only needed to replace straps on it, and not all of them yet!, they are very easy to do and cheap to replace. MSR (or a Quality dealer) has replacement parts available.
i also rented these for over 25 years at a retail shop. (in the Adirondacks HP region) and why? because they were simple and durable and totally reliable... year after year with virtually No maintenance. (they were replaced as needed from general use, so not the same pairs for 20+ years but more than 5 or 6 years minimum. and again this was hard abusive rental use, 4 to 7 days a week all winter.
MSR for the win!

[@AdirondackAdventures]

My MSR Evo Ascent's have many many miles on them. By far my favorite ADK traction device.

[@utube7917]

I have a lot of the same gear. It's all quality stuff. I could have died once. It's not unusual for people to die or need rescued in ADK. I trust my life with this gear. It's worth every penny. Some of the cheapest stuff is the most important. Lighter, compass, water purification tablets, etc. Cotton kills. Don't wear it.

[@AdirondackAdventures]

Thx for watching, utube7917!

[@PaoloFrancesco99]

Thanks for posting this and for all the links. As a warm weather 46er, it's good to see guidance like this to help me step up to hitting ADK peaks in the winter. It's definitely a different ball game. I don't recall seeing you mention a first-aid kit or mention the need to bring something like a bivy to survive overnight.
I chose to invest in Leki poles for my family. A feature I particularly like is the shape of the handle tops. They are rounded and allow you to palm the handle comfortable while doing steep descents. They've taken a beating too, as my sons and I completed our first 46 and beyond. I consider Leki my go-to, similar to the way you like Outdoor Research with other stuff. I really like OR too.

[@Talosdesign]

Great info, thank you!

[@AdirondackAdventures]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!