10 tips for staying warm on winter hikes
Hiking in winter is very different from summer. We give you 10 tips for safe hiking. Winter is an incredible season to enjoy nature and breathtaking scenery.
Tip 1: Avoid humidity
I'm not teaching you anything by telling you what freezing water is. That's why it's important to regulate our perspiration during a winter hike. One way to do this is to choose the right materials for our clothing.
Cotton is often used, but it dries slowly. It therefore retains more moisture than polyester or merino wool, which are to be preferred.
Also, bring a change of clothes so you can stay dry after your effort.
Tip 2: Preserve your extremities
Your main source of heat loss is your extremities. Because the skin on your head, hands and feet is thinner, the blood capillaries are closer to the outside environment. It is therefore imperative to protect your extremities. Toques, mittens and spare socks are a winter backpack essential!
Tip 3: The onion technique.
Why an onion? Because the onion is well garnished with all its layers! You will need to do the same to manage your heat during your activity. We often recommend 3 layers: a layer on your skin that properly evacuates your perspiration and keeps you dry, an insulating middle layer that keeps your body heat and finally an effective protection against wind and weather.
For those who are more sensitive to the cold, don't hesitate to wear two intermediate layers: a fleece and then a down jacket. You can remove them if necessary to regulate your temperature according to your effort.
Tip 4: Stay hydrated
When it's cold, you feel less thirsty. Yet you need just as much water to manage your effort. Remember to protect your water containers from the cold if you don't want to have to suck on ice cubes!
Tip #1 : Remember to keep your bottles upside down in your bag to avoid freezing water at the cork.
Little tip #2: Don't hesitate to bring less water on you, you're surrounded by snow! On the other hand, you should know that snow melts less well than ice. Dilute a little water with your snow to make it melt. Or, compact a little snow between your fingers to pack it down into an ice cube to suck on quietly (if you don't have other options).
Tip 5: Adequate caloric intake
Eat! Eat! Eat! In winter, you burn even more calories to maintain a homeostasis at 37°C! It's important to think carefully about your meal break. Will you be warm? If not, plan a meal that is easy to eat without having to take off your gloves. This is certainly not the time to spread lengths and lengths of bread to the detriment of your warmth.
Tip 6: Anticipate your effort
Walking in the snow, even with crampons and/or snowshoes, requires more time. An easy hike you did this summer could be much more complex in winter on the same route. So allow extra time for your effort.
Tip number 7: Preparing for your exit
It is more difficult to find your way around in an all-white landscape! Streams / lakes are frozen, sometimes even invisible under the snow. It is therefore imperative to know the topography of the place you are going to explore, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
You like the outdoors, but hate to read a map? Don't be discouraged, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy winter hiking. Among others, the national parks maintain their trails. Depending on your activity, you just have to follow the markings in place.
Tip number 8: Going out equipped
It is important to take good care of your equipment and to check it before each outing to ensure optimal comfort. Personally, my hiking bag is always more full when I go out in the middle of winter.
As I'm very cold, during a bivouac outing despite my -19°C down, I always bring with me a sleeping bag, a large insulating mat to put under my tent and I peel the snow around my camp to protect me from the wind and to pack the snow.
Tip 9: Know your equipment.
Is your duvet labeled -19°C? That doesn't mean you're going to sleep well just with it on your back at -20°C outside. Test your equipment! In spring, summer and autumn, don't go camping directly at -20°C. You will quickly learn from your mistakes.
On a hike, I had put a pair of spare socks in the bottom of my bag. During my breaks, my bag, lying on the ground, warmed the ground. The melted snow quickly froze... and so did my bag. So I was allowed a pair of frozen socks!
Today I don't get fooled anymore, I put my clothes in waterproof bags in my backpack and during my breaks I hang my bag as high as I can.
Caroline Guillon
Scribbler & Hiker