Here’s something surprising.
Many people believe hiking is a sport that is best enjoyed in summer, but the reality is that it’s a year-round sport. While you might think that it can only be a pleasant experience when the sun is high in the sky and warm air is surrounding you, the truth is that you can hike any time of year.
In fact, a lot of people are surprised to learn that hiking in winter is actually an option. Learning how to hike in the snow isn’t like you would imagine. Winter hiking is a unique experience that affords you a beautiful way to connect with a side of nature that not that many people see.
Most would imagine that hiking in winter would be a cold experience that they might not enjoy, but this is one kind of an outing you might quickly become addicted to.
The fact some people only hike during certain seasons is a bit of a shame. While there is something to be said about spending time out in nature with the sun on your face and a warm breeze to guide you, nature doesn’t shut down because the warm seasons end.
Going out in the cold can be a brisk and thrilling experience that you can enjoy. As long as you have the right gear, you will be surprised to learn that hiking in winter can be a really pleasant way to get exercise in the off season and enjoy seeing some truly spectacular views.
As long as you have the right gear, you will be surprised to learn that hiking in winter can be a really pleasant way to get exercise in the off season and enjoy seeing some truly spectacular views.
It is all a matter of going into it prepared, and you can enjoy some great time exploring nature during the quiet parts of the year.
In the rest of this article, I’ll show you some easy tips that can ease your life when winter hiking. Let’s dive in.
Dress In Layers
The biggest consideration that needs to be made when it comes to hiking in the snow is how you are going to dress. The most effective way to dress for hiking in the snow is to really put a special emphasis on layers.
Dressing in layers makes it possible for you to stay warm, but it also lets you remove layers to cool down in the event that you get too hot. This is great because it gives you complete control over your physical comfort.
Since the temperature can be pretty cold when there is snow on the ground, it is nice to be warm. It is important to also remember that the temperature will only decrease as you increase your altitude. This means that you want to dress for the summit.
Wearing layers allows you to wear less at the bottom of the mountain and add more on as needed while you begin to climb. Being too warm or too cold on the mountain can be miserable. This gives you the option to manage your preferences on the go.
Protect Your Feet
Another huge consideration when you begin to hike in the snow is how to protect your feet. Your feet play a huge role in regulating the overall temperature of your body and this is exponentially more important when you have been exposed to the elements.
Snowy weather brings something unique to your dress situation. You will want to make sure that you use incredibly warm socks.
Wool socks are a popular choice because they are both warm and can manage any extra sweat if your feet get hot. These are great for comfortable walking. You will always want to wear shoes that are both warm and waterproof.
A good pair of waterproof boots can be excellent for hiking when there is snow on the ground. This will let you safely navigate the trail, even if you step in snow or water. If your feet get wet, you will be in for a miserable time, so focus on handling it upfront with preventative measures. This will preserve the integrity of your hike.
Find A Good Jacket
An important part of hiking when it is snowy out is making sure that you stay warm at all costs. Nothing will ruin a hike faster than being cold. While you can always increase your physical activity levels in order to increase your overall body temperature, this is not something that always works.
In fact, this technique is something that tends to not go well at all when you are somewhere cold enough for there to be snow on the ground. This is an approach that works well with a slight chill, but doesn’t work well in full cold. Since this is the case, you are going to want a warm coat to keep your body heat centralized.
Many people do not like wearing bulky jackets, but those days are behind us. While you can certainly still find large and puffy coats, you no longer need a large coat to stay warm. Coat technology has come a long way and you can actually enjoy a completely warm experience in a jacket that is slim and easy to navigate with.
Coat technology has come a long way and you can actually enjoy a completely warm experience in a jacket that is slim and easy to navigate with.
In fact, some jackets come with technology that is designed to take your body heat and actually direct it back to you, providing you with a perfectly insulated experience. These are called thermal jackets. As an added bonus, this technology can help you stay warm without causing you to overheat as well. Realistically, your typical winter jacket should work just fine too if it isn’t too bulky.
Make Sure You Eat Beforehand
Taking a hike when it is snowing out is a unique experience for a lot of reasons. On one hand, you’re out exploring a cold area that will help you to see a whole new side of nature. On the other, you’re exposing your body to a high degree of exercise while you actively navigate a frozen wasteland.
Eating a good meal in advance and during a hike can help you to stay warm and energized as you take on the mountain.
The biggest thing that you need to focus on when you’re on the mountain is undoubtedly regulating body temperature, but also managing your output. Hiking in the cold, particularly when wearing winter gear, tends to be a more taxing process on the body than a traditional hike.
Making sure that you enjoy a good meal or strong snack before you go on a winter hike is important for a managing these two issues. Eating will turn to energy which your body will directly turn to heat. In addition to this, eating beforehand will give your body something to break down as you begin actively burning calories.
Eating a good meal in advance and during a hike can help you to stay warm and energized as you take on the mountain. You can also bring snacks to keep your body operating to the best of its abilities.
Watch Out For Ice
One thing that is easy to forget about hiking in snow is the fact that with snow comes ice. When you are going on a hike when it is snowy out, ice is going to be a very real concern for you. Now, the last thing that anyone wants while they’re three miles into a hike is to hit a patch of ice and end up sliding down the mountain. In order to avoid this, you want to make sure that you are taking the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Ice can lead to some seriously nasty spills that can result in some truly terrible injuries. Since it is likely that the inclement weather will also impede any potential rescue efforts, these problems are simply best left avoided.
Safely navigating ice takes a couple of things. First, you will want to make sure that you are wearing appropriate shoes. While traction is important on just about any hike, it becomes infinitely more important when there might be ice on the ground.
Invest in some good shoes that will help you to avoid slipping on any ice that might be hidden within the snow. In addition to this, you will want to give careful consideration to the ice itself.
This means taking the time to look where you are stepping in order to minimize your chances of being caught off guard. Careful footing is crucial when it comes to protecting yourself with slippery ground.
A useful tool when hiking in winter is the ice axe. It’s super handy when you’re walking on steep terrains where you need to keep your balance and break some ice. The cool thing is it’s very easy to attach an ice axe on your backpack. Most of them, even the cheap ones have ice axe loops on both sides.
Embrace the Warmth
When you go on a hike in the snow, you will want to feel warm. This isn’t just a matter of staying warm, but a matter of finding a special kind of comfort. There are few things more satisfying than having pockets of warmth when you are on a cold hike.
This brings about an exciting sensation that is actually the foundation for a concept called hygge, which focuses on warmth and comfort. You will absolutely love wandering through the cold forest if you have something to warm you up.
Though you will already have a warm and secure clothing setup, you can up the good feelings by including pop of warmth in one form or another.
Popular options include hand warmers or a hot drink. Both are always great if you can swing it. Hand warmers are absolutely genius tools. They come in small containers and you can activate them as needed. These hand warmers can bring you a high amount of warmth in a mere matter of seconds, and there is nothing better than shoving them in your hands or boots.
You will love squeezing these pockets of warmth as you traverse the icy forest. A warm drink in a good thermos can give you bursts of warmth throughout the course of your entire hike. You can enjoy sipping a warm beverage or soup that will keep your core completely warm even as the world freezes around you. It is one of the best parts of going on a hike in the cold.
Conclusion
There are moments when we all want to experience something special. Hiking in the snow is a beautiful and thrilling experience that will bring you a unique sense or peace.
When you hike in the snow, you will hear the crunching of snow under your boots, crackling out amongst the silent backdrop of the forest. Everything is different. Instead of raw summer energy, you will realize that you are experiencing a world that appears to be suspended in time.
While some people might think that the snow has little to bring to a hike, it is something that must be experienced to be fully understood. The reality is that a hike in the snow might be just what you need to clear your head. You will love staying warm as you battle the chill in the air.
How to Hike in the Snow like a Boss
- Dress in Layers
Dressing in layers makes it possible for you to stay warm, but it also lets you remove layers to cool down in the event that you get too hot. This is great because it gives you complete control over your physical comfort.
- Protect your Feet
Wool socks are a popular choice because they are both warm and can manage any extra sweat if your feet get hot. These are great for comfortable walking. You will always want to wear shoes that are both warm and waterproof.
- Buy a Good Jacket
Coat technology has come a long way and you can actually enjoy a completely warm experience in a jacket that is slim and easy to navigate with.
- Eat before your Hike
Eating will turn to energy which your body will directly turn to heat. In addition to this, eating beforehand will give your body something to break down as you begin actively burning calories.
- Watch out for Ice
Safely navigating ice takes a couple of things. First, you will want to make sure that you are wearing appropriate shoes. While traction is important on just about any hike, it becomes infinitely more important when there might be ice on the ground.
- Embrace the Warmth
Popular options include hand warmers or a hot drink. Both are always great if you can swing it.
