By Joe Ferronato
I put down roots in the Rocky Mountain West. I love it, but late fall and winter can kill you. I’ve gone into the backcountry in -40 degrees to help my idiot friends who killed two cow elk on the front of a historic storm. We got the elk out, but I got frostbite on my ears. Nothing got cut off, so I’m still just as ugly as I was before.
Somehow, I didn’t learn from that experience and still reside in the West. For reasons unbeknownst to me, I have deep love for the region, and the late season offers some of the best adventures. A favorite of mine is chasing mountain lions with dogs in the dead of winter. Searching for tracks well before the sunup means bitter cold snowmobile excursions. It’s damn cold then, but the right gear keeps the cold from taking the enjoyment out the experience.
Now don’t get me wrong, when the temps drop well below zero, you WILL be cold, regardless of your gear, but there’s a big difference between being a little uncomfortable and being dead. Over the years, I’ve used a variety of gear. Now I have a few key pieces that always go with me for a late-season hunt.
BASE LAYERS
A next-to-skin layer that works well will keep your core warm. For a shirt, I prefer the ULTRA Merino 120 LT. It’s comfortable and if I get warm hiking, I can wear it on its own to mitigate sweating. If I do get sweaty, the Merino wool still insulates while wet. It fits snug against the skin to keep warmth in and can be layered with other Merino offerings or heavier mid layers depending on the temperature. My choice to put on top of this piece is the StrongFleece 275 Full Zip Hoodie—which I often wear as my outer layer during strenuous hikes.
For my legs, which are rarely graced with a base layer until it’s a true necessity, Kuiu’s ULTRA Merino 145 Zip-Off is my go-to. They keep me plenty warm, fit well underneath pants, and can be easily removed without fully undressing while afield.
OUTERWEAR
For outerwear, the Axis Hybrid system has been a favorite for both a jacket and pants. The jacket combines the warmth of a puffy with the functionality of a softshell. It breaks the wind, is body mapped to insulate in key locations, and has strategic waterproof paneling. It looks like you should be celebrating pride month when you have it on (but not anywhere close to First Lite), but you can’t knock its functionality.
The pants share the same ingenious design. They are fleece lined for extra insulation and feature waterproof paneling in the areas that are most likely to contact snow. I’ve worn these on countless hunts from Idaho and Montana to Alaska and even New Zealand now and wouldn’t dream of leaving them at home. The zippered hip vents allow for easy temperature regulation while hiking.
THE SHELL
I already listed out my pick for outwear, but shells are a necessity when things go from bad to worse. I’ve been colder in 37 degrees when it’s raining and wet than I have been in -15 degrees when it’s snowing. Getting wet will kill you quicker than anything—ask Charlie Benton about his run in with hypothermia, and he’ll tell you to not chance it.
The Yukon TR rain gear has traveled with me on every hunt the past two seasons. It’s packable and lightweight yet ultradurable. On Kodiak Island, being continuously tormented by rain and snow, the TR gear kept me bone dry and held up while busting through brush and climbing from sea to summit. The rain gear also breaks the wind, letting the insulation do their job and keep you warm.
These pieces of gear are my go-to, they aren’t the only things I pack, but they always go with me. I pack extra layers and refine my system when needed. If you do the same, you’ll be punching tags in the bitter cold. Who knows, maybe you’ll even enjoy it more than sipping a Mai Tai on the beach in the summer; I know I do.
Pros: Durable gear that is designed to layer and work in the harshest conditions.
Cons: Will drain your bank account faster than a night in Vegas.
