“You can’t get too much winter in the winter”
Robert Frost
Life gets busy. So busy in fact that I went four months without hitting a trail. September ushered in a slew of changes. Week day hiking is no longer an option and on Saturdays I can be found first at Cross Country Meets and now at Wrestling Tournaments cheering on my son and his team. As winter break approached I was excited to get out there and put some miles under my feet. Sub zero temperatures hit the Northeast the last week of December and kept me grounded once more. Don’t get me wrong, I love cold weather exploring, but when temps outside the door fall to minus 36 degrees Fahrenheit it is time to stay inside.
The extreme weather that settled upon us here in Northern New England had me thinking about what it takes to stay safe and warm in these conditions. I do not like to be cold, but I do like to be outside. That being said I have invested heavily in cold weather gear over the years. I am also very thrifty, which means I have thoroughly researched every article of gear I own and where to get it at the best price. Where do I start? Google of course. First I google exactly what I am looking for. For example: Winter Hiking Boots. I read a bunch of articles about different brands and make a decision as to exactly what I need in a winter hiking boot. Next, I am off to Amazon to read reviews. Amazon is not the only place to read reviews it is just my first go to site because they have just about everything I need or want. After reading reviews, I start a retail search to find the best price for the item I am looking for and read more reviews along the way of course. When I am sure I am getting exactly what I want for the best possible price I make the purchase. Most of the time I am happy with my decision using this method. You could of course ask someone at an outdoor gear store for advise, but for me, that would mean a three hour round trip drive to a store that I may or may not make a purchase from. I am more of an, arm chair in front of the wood fire shopper.
Boots and socks are two of the most important items for cold weather exploring. Boots should be insulated and comfortable. A non slip sole is also a good idea, although often micro spikes make that a mute point. Socks should be wool. If wool socks get wet they are still warm because they trap and hold the warmth from your body. No cotton socks ever. I do not even wear cotton sock during summer excursions. A better rule of thumb is no cotton anywhere on your body, especially next to your skin.
Dressing and packing for a winter hike can be a challenge. I try to follow a motto I read in an article a long time ago. I would give the author credit if I could remember where I read it, but I can’t. “Be bold, start cold”. If you dress for comfort at the trail head it will not be long before you are sweating. If you are sweating you will begin to peel off layers. Now your clothing is wet and exposed to cold temperatures. It won’t be long before you are uncomfortable, and, unless you have packed other clothing to change into, unsafe. I like to start cold at the trail head and add layers if I find I need them. Generally I find that I am fine until I reach the summit. When you reach the summit it is time to add those extra layers before you start to get cold. Warming up after you are cold can be tricky on a windy mountain top, so staying warm is the way to go.
The layers I like to start with are smart wool leggings and a base layer top. Over the leggings I wear a pair of water resistant winter hiking pants. Over the base layer top I wear a light fleece and a soft shell jacket. If it is a warm day the soft shell over a base layer might be enough. I also wear a light face shield as a neck warmer. It is thin enough that it does not cause me to sweat while hiking and easy to pull up over my nose at the summit. In my pack I carry a heavier fleece and a pack jacket for the summit. In my pack I also carry extra socks and hand and toe warmers. As soon as I feel like my hands or feet are getting cold I stop and use them, because, like I said earlier it is better to stay warm then to have to warm up.
Another concern of winter hiking is how deep the snow is. Will you need snowshoes or will micro spikes due? I generally bring both and check the trail when I get there. If the trail is well traveled micro spikes are probably enough. If the snow is deep and the trail is not packed snowshoes are a must. Sometimes the trail starts on a groomed snow mobile trail and there is no way to know what looms ahead. In a case like that it is a good idea to start with the micro spikes and strap the snowshoes to your pack with bungy cords.
So, now you are dressed appropriately and have on the proper foot wear. Your pack has all the necessary cold weather supplies to keep you warm and dry. What next? Food and water of course. Forego the hydration system during the cold weather months and use a water bottle. I find that the hose to my hydration system freezes up rather quickly. A hot drink or hot soup will help to keep you feeling warm and toasty. High calorie nutrient dense snacks are also a good idea. Energy bars, beef jerky, nuts, cheese, and dried cranberries are my snacks of choice. If I plan on hiking for more than 2 or 3 hours I like to bring along a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or some hard boiled eggs.
Winter exploring can be a lot of fun, but being prepared is important. Staying warm out on the trail not only makes for a much more enjoyable experience, but also a safer one. The days are shorter during cold weather months, so don’t forget to pack a flashlight or head lamp.
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