I feel very fortunate to live in an area with a multitude of mountains to climb, from over 4,000 feet of elevation to lowland flat walks in the forest. I have learned from experience that it doesn’t matter if you are up high or down low, accidents happen.
December 21 officially marks the winter solstice, which is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the shortest day of the year. If inquiring minds want to know as to what the difference is between the winter solstice and winter equinox, I looked it up online: The equinox signifies a time when day and night are approximately equal in length, so there you have it.
We have a bit to go before reaching Dec. 21, but the two seasons have collided, resulting in trees bursting with colors of red, orange and yellow topped with bright, white, fluffy snow. It is a classic case of beauty and the beast.
With winter conditions making an early visit to the mountains this year, I thought it may be a good time to refresh our memories on hiking in cold weather on shorter days. I’ve put together a few tips on how to prepare for hiking in freezing conditions:
— In the warmer months, an emergency may not be so critical, but in the winter, for those starting a hike unprepared, a day hike can rapidly change from a fun day to a life-threatening event if you are injured, get lost or weather suddenly changes.
— When heading out on a hike, be responsible by checking trail conditions, weather forecast and carrying proper supplies, enabling you to survive an unplanned night in the woods. When reading the weather forecast, pay attention to the wind chill factor. Do your research and choose gear and clothing that will perform well for you. A soft shell jacket with full pit zips is a favorite staple of mine to combat the ever changing mountain weather. There are many excellent brands of hiking poles, snowshoes, crampons and traction, such as micro spikes, from which to choose.
— Don’t wait until you are many miles from civilization to test your new winter clothing and gear. You can practice your layering system or how to use crampons on smaller hikes such as Mt. Jo, Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain, to name a few.
— Always bring plenty of water and help reduce the chance of it freezing by using an insulated holder. Adding some energy mix can help supply much needed electrolytes. I’ve seen hikers fill their bottles with a mix of hot water and sugar. Carrying your water bottle upside down can help keep the mouth from freezing over as quickly since ice will form quickest at the water’s surface. I always have my water and snacks on the outside of my pack to make they’re easily accessible to ensure I eat and drink often.
— Keeping warm and dry are two important factors in having a positive outing, but also know the first signs of frostbite and hypothermia and how to treat them. Frostnip is the first sign of frostbite. When you have frostnip, your skin will turn red and feel cold to the touch. If you continue to stay in the cold, it could begin to feel numb or have a prickling sensation. You can rewarm your skin by soaking the affected area in warm — not hot — water for roughly 15 minutes. If you have no way of warming your hands, it may be time to turn around.
— Before we hit full blown winter, there are days when you may hike in wet snow. This is a perfect storm for hypothermia if a hiker is not careful. Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, shallow breathing and lack of coordination, to name a few. To treat hypothermia while hiking, move the person to a dry place out of the wind, remove wet clothing and provide insulation and warm fluids. If this does not help, it may be time to call for help. I usually open my hand warmers at the trail head so they are nice and warm when my hands get cold.
— Throughout winter, the days are shorter, making it important you have a headlamp and extra batteries. Besides my main light source, I also carry a spare light with fresh batteries already inside in case there is a malfunction with my main one. I mention preloading the batteries in the spare head lamp as it would be difficult to install them in the pitch dark. Familiarize yourself with your planned route while carrying a map plus compass with the knowledge of how to use them. A first aid kit is necessary.
— Pack extra clothing in dry bags or large Ziplock bags to ensure it stays dry. You never know when the weather can change or you go for an unexpected dip in freezing water. I also pack plastic grocery bags and spare socks to use if my boots get wet. A contractor-grade garbage bag can be invaluable in an emergency, along with waterproof matches, a lighter, a candle and fire starter, all of which add little weight.
— During the coldest season of the year, the mountains should never be underestimated as even the most knowledgeable hiker can get lost or injured. Always sign in at trail heads, where often an emergency contact number is posted, and store this number in your phone contacts or take a photo of it. Always tell someone your planned route and a rough estimate of when you should be home and stick to it.
— Many times rescues occur when groups have separated. Always keep your group together and have a turn around time.
There are endless resources online with information on how to travel safely in winter. You can gain invaluable information by joining a group hike in the winter or by hiking with an experienced winter hiker.
In the end, it is all about respecting our wilderness, being safe and having fun hiking.
Happy trails.