Winter Is Coming

It’s November. It’s that time. Winter is coming, so it’s time to swap out and update our gear load out.

Let’s start with the car kit and supplies. It’s winter, so if you live where snow is possible, it’s time to make sure you have a shovel of some type in your car as well as a snow brush to clear your windows. You need some type of blanket – I keep the Klymit Horizon in my car.

Some type of traction board or other item to place under your tires if stuck is a good idea. Mrs. TW once famously used her floor mats, but I suggest buying something purpose made. Other recovery gear might include rope or a tow strap.

It’s also a good time to rotate out any water that you carry in you car (I carry 4 2QT US canteens). Replace it quarterly with fresh water. Check the date on your fire extinguisher and resupply your first aid kit.

You should have a pair of boots in your car, especially if you wear dress shoes to work. Gaiters keep the snow off your pant legs and keep you dry, so toss a pair of them into the trunk as well. A pair of wool socks is also a good idea.

I keep a Gortex rain suit in the car year round, but for the winter season, I put the zip-in fleece liner in the jacket. You can always take it out if you don’t need it.

Update what’s in your Get Home Bag as well. You need heavier gloves and a warming layer. I add a fleece watch cap and a grid fleece one as well. That way, I can wear either or both, depending on how cold it gets. Pull out the shemagh and replace it with an actual scarf.

I change out my pack cover for the season as well. Instead of the woodland camouflage one I carry in the spring and summer, I put a snow camo one in the pack. I also toss a set of lightweight snow camo in the pack to pull over my pants and coat if needed. I pull out a lightweight jacket to make room for it.

If your ready gear contains a set of camouflage clothes or a camo jacket, it’s time to change the pattern. In most of North America, desert camo patterns work well in late fall and winter. I personally use MARPAT desert or British Desert DPM. For the northern tier, snow camo over-whites are a good idea to have available as well.

This is a good time to go through your food stocks and rotate, just like the grocery store. Pull out any long term storage food that is set to expire and rotate it into your normal use stocks. Remember to make a list and replace that with new stock on your next trip to the store.

Check all your fire extinguishers to make sure that they have a good charge, both in your house and car. Ensure that all your first aid kits are stocked and buy any replacements needed.

Its also a good time to test all your radio gear and make sure that it is all charged up, so that you can put it into use immediately. Update the programming on any radios programmed to use local repeaters or frequencies.

It’s just a good time to put your hands on all your gear and make sure that it is current and ready. Get in the habit of doing it quarterly.

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