Winter is the time of the year when many people pack up their hiking gear and snuggle up on their couches. However, they do not know the majestic views and glorious experiences they are missing out on.
Winter hiking is an experience like no other. While hiking across the snow-laden areas may seem daunting, you just need the right gear to power through them.
Who knows, you might forget all about summer hiking and choose to hike in the winter because of all the fun you will have.
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Why Cold Weather Hiking
Those who prefer to stay away from large crowds can use winter as an opportunity to hike. Generally, most people do not hike in the winter season, which allows you to have a peaceful and quiet time.
The majestic beauty of the winter landscape is truly mesmerizing. Even if you are an avid summer hiker, you will be entranced by the magical winter beauty that the sceneries encapsulate.
Also, there would not be any wildfire smoke.
One more perk of cold weather hiking is that you would not have to swat away annoying critters all the time. Insects die when exposed to temperatures below the melting points of their body fluids. Hence, you can enjoy hiking without the insects buzzing around and sucking your blood out.
So, embrace hiking in cold weather and go hiking on the snowy blanket.
What to Wear?
When hiking in the cold, you should be cautious about your clothes. If you wear too less, then you can be cold and miserable. However, if you end up wearing too much, you may sweat, which could lead to you getting cold (Ironic, right?).
You should be wearing multiple layers to stay warm in the cold. For the upper body, you will need these:
Base Layer
The layer right next to the skin is called the base layer. You can wear a long-sleeved and light base layer. The layer should not be too thick so that it can dry fast – in case you sweat. You can look for shirts with thumb holes, so they do not keep sneaking between the gloves and sleeves.
Mid Layer
The mid-layer should be made up of polyester, wool, or even a merge between the two.
Hooded Jacket
You can choose a zippered and puffy jacket to wear here. The hood can help in acting as a heat trap when the temperature is frigid. If the wind is whipping back the hood, you can fix it up with a goggle band or headlamp strap.
Outer Shell
The outer shell you wear should be made of a breathable, waterproof fabric with taped seams. It should be big enough to fit you over all other layers.
Note:
Make sure you do not wear white layers or carry white gear, as it would make it hard to spot you in the snow.
Tips for Cold Weather Hiking
Here are some tips that can help you hike like a pro in the cold.
Make Sure That You Have Adequate Footwear
When selecting hiking shoes, ensure they are comfortable, warm, and compatible with your snowshoes, crampons, and other traction gear. You can wear boots that have adequate insulation.
- You can wear crampons if you plan on going to a steep area.
- Microspikes can be used for areas with packed snow but are not too steep.
- You can take out the snowshoes for sloped or flat hikes with loose snow.
You can carry all three of them with you and use them as per your needs.
You can also keep an ice ax and use it to keep yourself stable and prevent falls.
Make Sure That You Are Hydrated
It will help if you are hydrated during winter hiking. Do not go for long hours without water, as it can lead to dehydration.
You can use an insulation hose for the hydration packs to ensure that your water does not freeze due to the cold. If you opt for a water bottle, you can wrap it up in beanies or woolen socks to keep them insulated.
Make Sure that You Have Plenty of Snacks
When hiking in cold weather, your body requires more calories to stay warm. You can keep an adequate supply of high-protein snacks that can give you a boost of energy.
Pack snacks that you can quickly eat while you are on the move. If you stop for a long time, it will make you feel cold, making it harder for your muscles to warm up again. Hence, munch on snacks as you hike.
Make Sure To Keep a Warm Drink
Fill up a bottle with your favorite hot drink – hot chocolate, chai tea, cider, or even soup broth. Drink a few sips whenever you need an instant warm-up.
Make sure that you do not use alcohol because it lowers the body temperature (which is something that we don’t want at that time).
Make Sure That You Stay Cool
You tend to generate lots of heat when hiking, which can lead to sweating. You need to try and stay dry and not sweat because sweaty and wet clothes can make you feel cold.
Hence, you can use the layering method to maintain your temperature. We have mentioned the layers above, and you can wear them or take them off per the body’s requirement.
Final Thoughts
Cold weather hiking can be a fun adventure only if you are prepared for it. So, make sure to do proper planning and take all the necessary precautions .