Hiking does not become less pleasurable just because the days are shorter and the air is colder in winter. Cold weather hiking has fewer daylight hours than hiking in the summer. Estimate the number of useful daylight hours you have.
If you take a little more precaution and add to your pre-hike preparations, you’ll have just as much fun on the trail in the winter as you do in the summer. Before you go, make sure you take these precautions to stay safe and comfortable.
In this article, we have given the 7 best tips for your next cold weather hiking
Dress With Several Layers
A base layer that wicks sweat away from your skin, a mid-layer that insulates you from the cold, and a shell layer that keeps wind and moisture out are all part of the layering system. It’s easy to remove or add layers of clothes to be comfortable when you’re dressed in many layers. It’s important to remain dry and avoid sweating because if you stop trekking and your clothing is wet, you’ll be chilly. On a chilly day, being wet might put you in danger of hypothermia.
Tip: When doing cold-weather hiking, try to wear as few clothes as possible and reserve the warm ones for when you stop.
Cotton Clothes Must Be Avoided
Cotton absorbs moisture quickly and takes a long time to dry, leaving you damp, chilly, and unpleasant. Synthetic and wool layers dry quickly and wick moisture away from your skin.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to invest in high-quality materials like wool and down. These textiles might be a little more expensive, but will last longer and perform a better job of controlling your body temperatures than ordinary clothes.
Put On A Cap
The top of our heads is where we lose a lot of heat during cold weather hiking. Because our skulls are packed with oxygen-carrying capillaries that feed our brains, wearing a winter hat will not only keep you warm on a chilly day but will also help you retain function.
Tip: Bring a warmer/heavier hat with you on long walks for trail stops.
Keep Your Feet Warm (And Your Electronics Too)
On cold weather hiking, and having chilly feet and frozen toes is not fun. To keep your feet dry and comfortable, start by wearing breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like wool. Then put money on winter hiking boots, particularly with a Gore-Tex waterproof covering. Summer hiking boots are designed for maximum breathability and weight savings, whilst winter boots are designed for maximum insulation and warmth.
Batteries die in cold temperatures. You don’t want to trek for several kilometers just to discover that your camera isn’t working when you get to your desired viewpoint. Your phone should also be functional in case you need to use it as a GPS or make an emergency call.
Tip: Keep your feet out of the snow while taking rests on the path. Instead, stand on a wood or a rock. To keep gadgets and backup batteries warm, place them in a jacket pocket or near your body.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
When it’s chilly outdoors, we don’t always drink as much water as we should, especially if we’re active. Because our bodies work extra hard to maintain core temperatures in cold weather, dehydration is a typical concern. To keep the water from freezing, take tiny sips of water often and keep the water bottle near to your body, maybe inside your jacket.
Tip: Start your cold-weather hiking with near-boiling water and turn any excess water bottles upside down to avoid freezing from the top down.
Eat Regularly
Keeping our bodies warm on the trail requires ensuring that we are supplying them with enough energy. Bring high-calorie foods with you, such as gummy candies, energy chews, chocolate, almonds, and so on. Keep these snacks in a pocket of your jacket or a convenient pocket of your bag and munch while hiking. Maintaining your body’s metabolism is the greatest way to keep it warm.
To keep meals from freezing during cold weather hiking, keep them near to your body.
Don’t Forget To Use Sunscreen
Just because it’s chilly outdoors doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned about getting sunburned. This is especially true if you are trekking in areas where there is snow. The sun’s rays can bounce off the white snow, giving our faces a double exposure. For the greatest protection, apply sunscreen on the underside of your nose and chin.
Tip: Bring sunglasses or goggles with you to protect your eyes from the sun and wind. Buy sunscreen at best price with a lot of coupon codes on Couponupto.com.
As a reminder, you don’t have to go trekking in the dead of winter to face chilly weather. Always plan ahead of time during cold weather hiking, including checking the weather forecast. Simply being outside during the winter months is the greatest method to become comfortable in cold weather hiking
