Winter Hiking Tips

We live in the Yukon, Canada, where we have about 6 months of winter every year. It's great to get outside and hike, but you need to be prepared. Having the right gear and appropriate respect for nature can make the difference between a fun hike and hypothermia or frostbite!

We have a saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Wearing the right clothing is super important when it is cold and will make the difference between an outing being fun vs. life-threatening,

Being wet and cold can lead to hypothermia, so it's important not to sweat too much when winter hiking.

Therefore, instead of overdressing and wearing a heavy parka, it's best to dress in layers so that you can remove a layer as your body warms up from hiking. You will start your hike feeling a bit cool, but will warm up as you hike.

Pay attention to your extremities - hands, feet, head and face.

For your body, you should wear the following layers:

• a base layer that wicks moisture - a long sleeved top made from merino wool or a synthetic, and long underwear or fleece lined pants if it's very cold
• a middle insulating layer for your core - this can be a fleece vest, or if it's very cold, a light weight down-filled vest or jacket
• an outer layer (jacket and pants) which is water and abrasion resistant, for example, goretex or nylon
• for all layers, especially your base layer, avoid cotton as it absorbs and retains water

For your hands - mitts are much warmer than gloves. In extreme cold, down filled mitts are recommended. You can also wear gloves with a pair of over mitts on top. Or use hiking poles which have hand warming pogies or over mitts attached (see next step) - these will keep you quite warm and you may not even need gloves underneath.

For your face - a neck warmer that can be pulled up over your face, like a buff, is useful and versatile, as are triangular face warmers that attach via velcro. If it's very cold, wiggle your nose and move your face to keep blood flowing in those areas. If it's sunny, wear sunscreen - the suns rays are amplified when reflected off snow. Sunglasses will be useful too - sun reflected off snow is very bright!

For your head - a warm hat that covers your ears is essential. A hat with a brim will also protect your face from falling snow and will shield your eyes from the sun.

For your feet - wear warm socks, preferably wool, and consider wearing 2 pairs of socks with a thinner inner sock that wicks moisture. Wear good hiking boots with good ankle support. In deep snow, attach snow gaiters to your boots to prevent snow from getting into your boots.

Note: Clothing choices will depend on how cold it is outside. This blog describes what to wear for a winter run if it's 0 to -10C, -11 to -25 C, and below -25C. Note that runners will not dress as warmly as hikers because the exertion level is greater for running.

Hiking poles will help to stabilize you, will help you push yourself up hills and pull yourself out of deep snow, and allow for more efficient hiking. For general hiking tips, see my Hike Like a Pro instructable.

In the winter, put over mitts on your hiking poles to keep your hands warm.

Wear hiking boots with good ankle support, as it's easy to slip and twist an ankle in changeable snow conditions.

Attach ice grips to your boot to improve your grip on both snow and ice.

Unless you are very experienced, are wearing snowshoes, and are prepared to sink into deep snow, it's best to hike on trails which have been packed down - either by other hikers or snowshoers, or by a snow machine. Deep snow will not support a person's weight, even with snowshoes.

To prepare a trail for your own use in a remote area, start hiking or even better, snowshoeing on it after the first big snowfall to pack it down. If you snowshoe on loose fresh snow, the snow will recrystallize and harden in a few hours, and you will be able to walk on it. Maintain the trail by continuing to snowshoe or walk on it after each major snowfall.

Being lost in sub-zero temperatures can be life-threatening.

Always be able to identify where you are, whether by following a known trail, or having a GPS, trail app, or other mapping and locating system with you. Bring a cell phone to call for help if needed and make sure you can identify where you are through a cell phone app such as What3words that identifies your GPS coordinates.

IMPORTANT NOTE - cellphone batteries lose their charge rapidly once temperatures are below freezing. Keep your cell phone in an inside pocket close to your body where it will be kept above freezing by your body heat. If you think you will be taking photos on your hike, bring a camera, rather than taking your cellphone out which will quickly run down your battery.

For any hike longer than an hour, it's a good idea to bring water in an insulated thermos, and a first aid kit.

It's fun and much safer to hike with friends, whether 4 legged or 2 legged. Always hike with at least one other person in sub-zero temperatures in case you become injured and need assistance. Bright clothing will help rescuers find you and looks better in photos too! Have fun and stay safe out on the trail!