Adjustments for a winter BOB?

Posted by: dweste

Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/08/10 05:13 AM

If you adjust your BOB in winter, what adjustments do you make? Where I live the nastiest weather is likely to be heavy, cold rain, so I try to make sure my outer layers of clothing, footgear, and shelter are waterproof, I put in at least one set of heavier inner clothing, and I add more calorie-concentrated food. I also switch to my heavier sleeping bag.

How about you in your locale?

Thoughts?

Thanks.
Posted by: MDinana

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/08/10 11:46 AM

No, I really don't make adjustments. My BOB is mainly a modified camping bag, with my real camping gear next to it. My sleeping bag is in it's own bag, so ideally if I have to bug out, I'm picking up my BOB in one hand and my sleeping bag in the other. I can pack it down later and get it secured.

Given the various places I've lived (5 states in 5 years!), I just figure I'll be dressed appropriately anyway. Put on a jacket as I leave the house is pretty much my "dress for egress" mentality. Maybe grab a fleece or something extra, but most of my heavy coats have a ski cap and gloves tucked into the pockets already - I tend to lose them, and it just makes more sense for me to store them all as a combo.
Posted by: Tyber

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/08/10 04:05 PM

I rotate in more JELLO for hypotyhermia, and I make sure there are more polar fleece, socks, mittens, and other cold weather gear.
Posted by: philip

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/08/10 08:32 PM

Same issue for me. It never gets below freezing here, but the winter rains and wind are very damp and chilly. So waterproof clothes (combination of storm parkas and storm overalls, ponchos (not good in the wind) and waterproof shoes); warmer clothes, thermal undies, and knit caps; gloves.

Since nights are cold here in the summers, we don't add much in the shelter department - we keep a small tent and a tube tent available for having to camp out, and our sleeping bags stay the same - 3 season - plus space blankets.
Posted by: Todd W

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/09/10 01:13 AM

I try to keep my chainsaw in the vehicle during winter. This last storm we had no power for 6 days the reason was due to fallen trees. TONS! W/out a saw I would have been trapped in my driveway, and then on my street, and then the main street, etc, etc.

Another important thing for us during winter is to keep snow boots, and heavy-duty blankets in the vehicle.

Most of the rest of the gear is universal.

Extra batteries and flashlights maybe since so dark now but nothing really special.
Posted by: TeacherRO

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/09/10 02:47 AM

- snow shovel ( compact)
- basic kit ( food, matches, candles, heat packs)
- big sleeping bag
- Fleece hat & scarf
Posted by: dweste

Re: Adjustments for a winter BOB? - 12/11/10 04:16 AM

After reading some of the winter-related threads, I think I will add more sure-fire-tinder stuff.