What to Bring

If you’ve never done something like this before, don’t be intimidated by the idea that you need a lot of expensive gear.  While the risks are real, if you use your head and what you have on hand, you’ll do just fine and have fun.  Alternatively, feel free to come for the day, play in the snow, and lend a helping hand.

Here are some tips and thoughts.

*       Parking.  First, timing is critical to find parking.  Especially on Saturday, if you’re not leaving Elk Grove by 5:30 you probably won’t get a space.  Second, drivers need to make sure to reserve parking space at the Sno Park ahead of time.  You can do that at https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1233#passes.  Note that a parking pass does not guarantee a spot.  By 9:00 the lot is usually full and there’s a line half a mile long waiting to get in.

*       Dry clothes.  THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!  If you remember nothing else, bring extra dry clothes.  Once your cave is built, you'll trade your wet duds for dry ones. 

*       Professionals will tell you avoid cotton in favor of wool and synthetics.  They’re right, but irrelevant here.  Whatever you're wearing will almost certainly be soaked by the time you finish your cave, and you'll be putting on dry clothes at the end.  I use whatever I have for layers, and that includes cotton.  I’d rather have dry cotton than wet wool.

*       Kids.  If it’s your first time, I’d leave under-12’s at home.  I brought Samuel when he was six, but probably should have waited till he was seven.  Either way, make sure they’re warmly dressed.  Everything I said about dry clothes goes double for kids. 

*       Sleeping bag with a good pad – the bag should be rated to at least 30 degrees.  Mine is rated to 20, and with warm clothing is fine. 

*       Sleeping pad.  An insulated pad is essential.  I like to supplement my pad with a strip of Reflectix (see below) or a cheap blue pad from Walmart.

*       Sunglasses. 

*       Ski pants.  Something to keep your pants dry.  I’ve had good luck with sweatpants under a pair of cheap rain pants.

*       Snow boots.  The last few years I’ve just used my waterproof hiking boots with an extra pair of wool socks.  Bring extra socks!

*       Gaiters.  Keeps the snow out of your pant legs and boots.  Cheap versions run about $20 on Amazon.  In a pinch, I’ve made an emergency pair out of duct tape and plastic bags.

*       Snow shovel.  I recommend the one linked below as a good starter shovel.  Avoid any shovel designed for dirt.  Also avoid long handled shovels; they're great until you're in cramped quarters.

*       Saw.  Handy for carving snow.  Amazon has a cheap saw that should do the job.  Link below.

*       Snowshoes.  Nice, but usually unnecessary. 

*       Gloves.  You need at least one pair of insulated gloves.  You also need an uninsulated pair of gloves for the actual digging process, or your hands will overheat.  Gardening gloves, the kind with rubber palms, work really well for this.  Anything more and my hands get too hot and sweat. 

*       A piece of foam to sit on will keep your backside warm when we're sitting around the campfire, and can double as a pillow.

*       Stove and pot for cooking and melting snow. 

·       Food.  I like Mountain House freeze dried meals because they’re simple.  Don’t forget hot chocolate and a cup for warm drinks.  

*        Water.  Don’t bring water!!!  Melt snow instead.

*       Something to carry it all.  In the past I packed everything on my back, but lately I’ve started bringing a sled and stacking stuff on it. 

*       Bring a plastic bag for wet clothes.

*       Get in shape.  You don’t have to be in great shape to build a snow cave, but you’ll pay for it if you aren’t.  What to focus on?  Touch your toes.  Now do it again while holding a 30-pound weight.  Now have a small child sit on the weight.  Do that 10 times a day for a week.

*       Reflectix.  Construction grade insulation that can really come in handy in the snow.  It's like bubble wrap with a space blanket on each side.  I like to put a strip underneath my sleeping bag to supplement my pad.  You can find it at Home Depot or Amazon.

The important thing to keep in mind is that this is something you can do.  Don't be intimidated by gear requirements or the cold and snow.  Use your head, improvise with what you have on hand, and have fun! 

Link to basic shovel

https://www.amazon.com/CARTMAN-Utility-Scalable-Portable-Aluminium/dp/B00FRAVFNO

Link to better shovel

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0924C3K2T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Link to basic saw

https://www.amazon.com/GreatNeck-74032-Compass-Precision-Plastic/dp/B0BMW6XYLB