The new year didn’t take long to make its presence known. A large cold wave has crested over the majority of the country. Snow in the north, ice in the south. Wind and frigid air gripping the rest with an iron and frosty grip. There seemed to be no escaping the cold snap.
Outdoors in the Cold Snap
While a lot of people like to hunker down with the air drops below zero, there are a lot of folks who like to make their way to the outdoors. Ski Slopes were packed with people and fresh powder, although for many, the warmth of the lodge was a tad more inviting.
The trails are also a great option for those who are stocked with layers and the proper cold weather gear. While the slopes fill up on these bitter days, the trails typically enjoy a bit of a lull. The smaller crowds and snow covered ground, lead to a more quiet and peaceful adventure through the frigid lands.
No matter what your pleasure, it is important to have the proper gear to stay as safe as possible in the outdoors on the coldest days. Everyone is a bit a different when it comes to how they gear up but there are a few constants that are important. Again, this is just what I do, make sure you try different options to see what is right for you.
The Fatman’s Thoughts on the Cold
As for me, I have always enjoyed the winter and the cold and that goes extra for hiking. My body typically runs warm and has plenty of internal insulation. Despite that, I always try to be as prepared as possible for the winter adventures.
Starting at the top, I like to have a good wool stocking cap. For my face, I like to wear a neck gaiter that I can use to cover my face, neck, ears and can even be placed up around head as a sort of baselayer for the hat. Speaking of baselayers, top and bottom wool baselayers are a must for me.
I follow the wool baselayer with a fleece insulating layer and then depending on how cold, I typically add a thinner hoody next. I like having a hoody so I can put another layer on my head if necessary. As a top layer I like to have a nylon blend that protects from wind and is water resistant for the pants. Same for the jacket. Usually, an insulated windbreaker with another hood to protect from the wind.
I like wool gloves as a base layer, and a heavier leather glove to the top layer. A latex (medical style) glove works as a nice base to really block the wind on the coldest days. Gaiters are a great way to waterproof your lower legs. Under that I go with thick wool socks and always have a spare pair for if they get wet. Waterproof boots are also a must through the wet snow. Finally I like to put spikes and carry a hiking pole anytime I am out in the winter.
The Plan
Once you have the gear, it is time to plan. It is super important in the winter to know the weather conditions, possible storms, and avalanche conditions. Also, I always like to check the road conditions to make sure that there is no ice or closures where I am heading. Checking trail conditions is also crucial in the winter. The comments on apps like All Trails can give a decent idea of what the conditions will be like but they are never 100%. You may want to keep snow shoes at the ready and attached to your pack.
As far as the pack goes, make sure you have food and water. It is important to make sure that you keep the water in a container that won’t freeze on you! One trick I like to use, that my friend Alex taught me, is to wrap water bottles in a wool sock to slow down the freezing process. For longer hikes, I like to keep an SOS satellite device on my pack, a fire starter and some form of shelter in case of an emergency where I need to stay warm. A small shovel and knife are also good to have for a winter hike.
Keep in mind that all of this stuff that I talk about are for short day hikes in the winter. I don’t do any overnights in winter, I typically try to stay to just a few miles because of the conditions. Hiking in snow, really takes it out of you and I don’t like to over do it but I like to be overly prepared.
The Final Step
There is one final step that I think is really important. For me the final step is to stand outside for a few minutes before I even get in the car. If the cold, wind, snow and ice are too much in the driveway, they are going to be even worse in the open of a trailhead. In this case, it is important to march right back inside, take off all the layers and lay on the couch under about 10 blankets with a cup of hot chocolate!
There is no shame, especially in winter, to calling it quits and trying again tomorrow! I have seen too many people miserable by being unprepared for the weather. The best way to stay safe on the trail if you aren’t comfortable is to not leave the couch at all! Be safe out there if you decide to go. Enjoy the wonders of the winter hike, or just enjoy the next sip of hot cocoa!
More from The Fatman
If you enjoyed this post you may enjoy more of the posts on my Fatman’s Rambling page. Blogs such as “Screw it, I’m Trying”, “Hiking Alone not Lonely Hiking“, “Winslow, Arizona” and “Lost in the Woods” as well as many others may interest you there. If you have any comments or topics you would like me to cover, feel free to email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com. Or you can keep the conversation going by following me on any of the below social media platforms.