Winter hiking, while potentially rewarding and fun, calls for additional care and planning. To ensure that your winter hike is both safe and enjoyable, here are some suggestions from Outside Walla Walla.
Check the Weather and Path Conditions
The weather is one of the most crucial factors to consider when planning a winter hike since sudden changes might unclear the path in a few inches of snow, for example. Knowing the expected temperature and wind speed is helpful to be well-prepared. This way, you will not have to worry about your safety when venturing on a snow hike.
Drink Plenty of Water
Bring an insulated water bottle and a sleeve to keep your water cool when trekking in the winter. Even if the weather dips below freezing while you are hiking, the water will remain liquid. A spare sock or a cloth can be used to insulate and reheat water if you do not have an insulated bottle.
What to Bring on a Winter Hike and How to Prepare
When going on a hike, it might make a difference if you wear suitable shoes, bags, clothing, and equipment for the weather. When traveling in snow, it is essential to remember the importance of maintaining body heat. Keeping warm and dry in chilly weather is as easy as layering your clothing: start with a thin, wicking base layer, add a heated fleece jacket for insulation, and finish with a waterproof outer shell. Due to their ability to keep your core warm and block the wind and snow, winter hiking guides highly recommend soft-shell trousers. Always have a spare woolen hat, gloves, and socks on hand.
Always have Spare Equipment
Waterproof gear, such as a backpack and matches, is a must, as is a fire starter, first aid kit, pocket knife, and an emergency blanket. When venturing out in the snow, it is especially important to pack some emergency supplies in case of inclement weather. These items shield you from the cold and give you better traction on the slushy snow encountered during snow trekking.
Pack some Snacks
The key to surviving a long day on the trail is frequently stopping to rest, eat, and drink. If you want to keep your body temperature up when hiking in the winter, you will need to eat about twice as many calories as usual. For sustained energy throughout the day, pack hearty, nutritious meals. You may stock up on organic pumpkin seeds, granola bars, protein bars, and other nutritious cold-weather snacks and prepare your trail mix.
Use Appropriate Footwear
Warm footwear for your feet is a must when traveling through snow. Suppose you want to keep your feet dry while trekking; wool hiking socks are your best bet. The material insulates and can dry out gradually if it becomes wet during hiking. Wearing boots above the ankle when hiking in the snow is a must. On winter hikes, you will spend a lot of time in your boots, so make sure they are comfortable and warm.
