Step by Step Winter Hiking Advice

The following articles were submitted by the Northern Hiking committee at the REI Winter Gear Seminar on Dec. 2, 2010

AMC Activities Risk Statement

The activities listed here involve varying degrees of danger. When you participate in one of these activities you should be both physically and mentally prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. The trip leader is not responsible for your safety: YOU are! Prior to registering for any activity, you are encouraged to discuss your capabilities with the trip leader. In order to participate in these activities, individuals under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, or obtain prior consent from the trip leader. Those accompanied by a minor are responsible for the minor’s actions.

Mountain Weather

Mountain weather can be extremely changeable and unpredictable. Be sure to plan for a wide range of weather conditions. Good rain gear and protection is essential. Temperatures drop 5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. Snow, gale force winds and sub-freezing conditions occur in every month of the year in the White Mountains.

Health Issues

Hypothermia: Hypothermia, possible even in summer months, is caused by a lowering of the body’s core temperature and the body’s inability to rewarm itself. Prevent hypothermia by staying dry, never depleting your energy reserves, staying aware of wind-chill effects, and keeping an eye on each other.

Cold injuries: Frostbite is freezing of flesh caused by exposure to cold. Susceptible areas are the nose, ears, face, fingertips and toes. Prevent by minimizing exposed flesh, staying dry, having adequate gear, staying aware of windchill effect and keeping an eye on each other. Early symptoms include cold, reddening & pain. Later symptoms include whitened, waxen skin, & numbness. To treat, stop immediately and notify the trip leader. Protect the affected area and re-warm by skin to skin contact. Never rub the area or heat quickly with hot water. In extreme circumstances it may be best to delay re-warming until you're back. Watch out for shock and hypothermia and never give alcohol.

Nutrition and Hydration: A diet of complex carbohydrates, protein, fruits, plenty of water and minimal simple sugars are necessary for a successful hike, particularly in winter. Suggested trail snacks include nuts, trail mix, energy bars, granola bars, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, candy bars, dried fruits and/or vegetables. Sports drinks (Gator Aid) are OK, but should be diluted with and additional 4 parts water. Drinking an adequate amount of water is critical (at least 2-3 quarts) so that your urine is clear and copious.

Physical Requirements: If you have not been doing frequent and regular aerobic activity, you may have difficulty. Although the pace will be moderate, this is an all-day hike and there are some steep, challenging sections. Those who are not comfortable with long days under winter conditions may have problems.

Winter Day Hike Clothing and Equipment List

Inadequate personal clothing and equipment will compromise your ability to participate fully and will jeopardize the safety of your entire group. Blue jeans, sweat shirts, and other cotton clothes are popular but, once wet, dry very slowly and may be uncomfortable. In adverse weather conditions, they often become a serious drain on a cold and tired hiker’s heat reserves. As such, they are not allowed. Synthetic materials (such as fleece or polypropylene) and wool keep much of their insulation value even when wet, and are indispensable for hikers who want to visit places from which return to civilization might require substantial time and effort if weather conditions deteriorate. Not only do hats, mittens, and other such gear provide safety in adverse conditions, but they also allow you to enjoy the summits in comfort.

Any hiker not properly equipped at the trailhead will be disqualified from the trip by the leader. All gear should be tested and adjusted prior to the trip. To help you and the others in the group enjoy the hike, we have prepared the following list of required clothing and equipment.

Group Gear: In addition to your personal gear, each member will carry some group gear, such as emergency sleeping bag, foam pad, zarsky, stove, fuel, pot, first aid kit. Please allow room in your pack for your share of this gear.

Footwear

Bottomline on pac boots: Decent all ‘round boot recommended as a starter boot if you aren’t sure you’ll like winter hiking, or are on a budget. Not recommended on steep terrain (e.g. I wish i had an axe). Cost: $70 to $120

Bottomline on winter hiking boots: Decent all ‘round boot recommended as a starter boot if you aren’t sure you’ll like winter hiking, or are on a budget. Not recommended for backpacking trips Not recommended on steep terrain (e.g. I wish i had an axe). Cost: $100 to $130

Bottomline on plastic boots Recommended for steep terrain, or where extensive crampon use is expected. A much safer boot & one you can ‘grow into’ not grow out of Cost: $250 to $400, typically $275, or just $27.50 per toe

Cost: $30 to $90. Common brands: Outdoors Research (Crocodiles - $50), Mountain Hardwear, EMS, Log Cabin Designs

TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Ed Poyer

PLAN YOUR MOVES: Adjust footgear, eat, drink, pee, adjust clothing & footgear.
Lunch starts right after breakfast & ends when we get back to the car.
Keep easy to eat food where you can reach it without removing your pack. Bring easy to eat trail snacks such as granola bars. Open them before you leave, so you don’t have to remove your glove liners.
Store water in readily accessible, insulated containers.

ASK FOR HELP. It’s much quicker & less tiring to get items of each other’s pack pockets than to remove the pack, & put it back on. If you’re too warm, remove clothing last, if you are too cold, add clothing first, starting with a hat.
The leader may ask everyone to eat & drink, adjust clothing, or put on (or remove) crampons or snowshoes. Doing this as a group.
saves time & energy. The leader knows the trail & what lies ahead, and may have good reason to ask you to do this now.
Where possible, move off the trail; at least put your pack off trail.
Prior to reaching summit or tree line, put on hat, activate handwarmers & store in mittens.

Toilet paper should be carried out, not buried in the snow. This is better for the environment, and saves time over burning it. (Be careful using alcohol based cleaners, which can freeze your hands) When buying gear, consider the color & its effect on others: bright colors are safer, but obtrusive.