Another February start weather concern thread. Last minute concerns.

[Tipi Walter]

Higher elevations with deep snow are not good for your dog.

Maybe not good for a hairless chihuahua but excellent conditions for a great many dogs. My dog sported for 15 years living outdoors and backpacking in deep snow and cold temps.

[squeezebox]

I would think hiking with someone would be important. Someone is there to take care of you if hypothermia sets in.

[forrest!]

What I worry about with a dog is cold rain that soaks the fur followed by a freeze. This is common in the southern mountains and is very different than snow on a dog's coat.

Forrest

[The Solemates]

Hate to sit and wait for the snow to melt? Your liking "to keep on the move" may go haywire when Miss Nature has other plans. A slight attitude adjustment may be needed. It is winter backpacking after all where things will go against your plans. The mileage monster may not be able to be fed.

I hear people say this all the time, and I dont understand it.

Tipi, I'm not going to argue that you have more winter 'camping' experience than me. But I prefer to hike. Bad winter weather has never stopped me before in the Appalachians south of PA, and I've been in some pretty nasty thigh-deep, post-holing whiteouts. Hiking keeps you warm(er).

[Tipi Walter]

I hear people say this all the time, and I dont understand it.

Tipi, I'm not going to argue that you have more winter 'camping' experience than me. But I prefer to hike. Bad winter weather has never stopped me before in the Appalachians south of PA, and I've been in some pretty nasty thigh-deep, post-holing whiteouts. Hiking keeps you warm(er).

In thigh deep postholing with a pack on a ridgetop (and deeper drifts), I've only been able to make around 3 miles a day. And then to set up my tent in 2 feet of snow required ideally a snow shovel but instead I wore out a couple pair of nice gloves scrapping the snow off the ground and making a level site. Most backpackers, a great majority of AT thruhikers, bail off the mountain in such conditions (not to mention a polar snap with -8F) and lose elevation quick and zero in town. Very few will stay out into, during and after such a storm. Hence my recommendation to be fully open to a change of plans, or hunker in a tent or shelter for a couple days.

[mountain squid]

You could buy a liner for your sleeping bag or something similar for added warmth if you don't want to buy another bag that's rated to a lower temp.

Disagree with this, especially since the original poster has not specified their temp rating for bag. I would not rely on a liner to add warmth. It might and it might not. If the original poster is starting with a 40f bag (I hope not, because even in April you'll likely be cold), a 10f additional liner would bring it down to 30f, in theory . . . . which is still not good for a Feb start. Regardless, I would not rely on a liner for additional warmth.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

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[Tri-Pod Bob]

Maybe not good for a hairless chihuahua but excellent conditions for a great many dogs. My dog sported for 15 years living outdoors and backpacking in deep snow and cold temps.

Hi, Tipi....being a lifelong dog owner in New England, I fully understand the capabilities of various breeds during the snowy winter months. That's why I've always had large breeds as wandering companions. My last, Charlie, was a giant breed Black Lab who weighed 132 lbs. It was a pleasure to bushwhack thru deep snow, over extended periods of time, with him. I posted because the OP questioned his own capability, as a grown man, in deep snow. His Border Collie is no where near as tall (18" - 22" on avg) as he is, which should be a concern, IMO. Especially on an extended, long distant winter/early spring hike where deep snows, at high elevations, are common. Smaller breeds waste a lot of energy when they have to 'snowplow' through chest high white stuff.