But you don’t need to stay indoors as days get shorter. Making sure you’re prepared for the fourth season before you head outside can help you reap the great benefits of winter hiking. Evan Gill, an expert mountain climber known on YouTube as Black Sherpa, recommends starting with a warm, snug, synthetic base layer designed to wick moisture and dry quickly. Then add a warm mid-layer like a fleece or synthetic hoodie. If it’s really cold out, top it all off with a puffy jacket, ideally one that uses synthetic insulation, as when down gets wet it loses its ability to insulate. Finish things off with a water- and windproof shell to protect you from the elements. If you’re wondering if all those layers are actually necessary, the answer is simple. Body temperature fluctuates wildly when you’re exerting yourself in the cold, so you need to be able to make small adjustments throughout the day to stay warm, but also to keep any moisture out. Once your clothes become damp, they lose the ability to keep you warm and there’s a greater chance for hypothermia to set in. As for feet and hands, they should each get a thinner synthetic liner sock or glove under a thicker, warmer layer. Add in a hat and neck gaiter or balaclava and you’re good to go. When it comes to winter hiking, avoiding sweat is the name of the game, and the key to winning it, says Schnitt, is to be proactive. Before you start hiking up a slope, remove a mid-layer or two, and as soon as you start heading down or stop to take a break, replace those layers so you don’t get cold. Once you start feeling a chill it’s harder to warm back up. What equipment you bring along with you will depend on the terrain. If there’s deep snow, you’ll likely need snowshoes and trekking poles. You may also want to consider waterproof gaiters to keep the white stuff out of your boots. If you’re expecting thick ice, bring crampons, heavy-duty spikes that attach to the bottom of your boots. And in any winter conditions, Schnitt recommends keeping a pair of microspikes in your pack. These small, lightweight spikes that you strap around the soles of your shoes come handy any time you want a little extra traction, like when you tread on ice or thinner snow. Carry plenty of water in an insulated bottle or get an insulated hose for your hydration reservoir to keep it from freezing and sip regularly. You can also add electrolytes to water to delay freezing: the salt will slow down the process. Finally, as with any hike, don’t forget a first aid kit, and extra layers in case the ones you’re wearing get wet.
Be prepared
“Plan ahead and prepare” is a good rule to have for any outdoor outing, but it’s especially true during winter. For starters, no matter how many times you’ve hiked a trail in warm weather, don’t think it’ll offer the same experience in the colder months of the year. “Bonus points if you can keep your gloves on while you’re eating,” she adds. It might take a bit more preparation and gear, but winter can be a rewarding time of year to enjoy time outside. So layer up, brush up on your navigation skills, hydrate, and make the most out of the cold temperatures. Delays are common and they may be the result of a handful of factors. Snow and ice are guaranteed to slow your pace, but the trail might also be obscured by snow and trees might be downed. Things could look so different, you might have to switch to plan B. “That’s when your landscape-bearing skills come into play,” Gills adds. As you hike, Schnitt also recommends checking in with hiking partners. Ask them if they’re warm enough and if they’re drinking or eating enough. This will, in turn, make you ask yourself the same questions and help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation. Finally, because winter days are shorter, make sure you make the most of daylight by starting your hike early. While on the trail, be constantly aware of time, so you know exactly when to turn around and get back to the trailhead before dark. And just in case you miscalculate, bring a headlamp and extra batteries.
