Top Ten Winter Hiking Mistakes

Winter hiking often has two very special highlights: Magical views and fewer people. For those that are willing and able to venture out into the snowy mountains, the views can be spectacular. For those folks that like a little more solitude on even the most popular trails, winter hiking usually deters the larger crowds. However, and this is a big ‘however’, there are some serious issues that should be taken into consideration when hiking in winter.

Here are the top ten mistakes folks make when winter hiking.

1. Not properly researching the trail or route before setting out. It's important to know the conditions of the trail, including any potential hazards such as ice or avalanche risk. Spend a while reading trail reports and weather forecasts. Check the local ranger site too.

2. Building on #1, not checking the weather forecast and being unprepared for the conditions. The weather forecast you’re reading is usually for the town near where you’re going hiking. It’s likely the weather will be different on the trail than in the town nearby. Remember, in the winter, the weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly. It's important to be prepared for the potential for extreme cold, snow, and wind. This is especially true if you hike in the mountains. I have had the weather go from a balmy 50F to 30F in under 30 minutes.

3. Not carrying enough water or food. It's important to stay hydrated and fueled up, especially in cold weather. Bring extra water and high-energy snacks in case your hike takes longer than expected. A couple of Snickers bars are good to bring. You’ve got lots of sugar in them to fuel your body.

4. Not telling someone where you are going and when you plan to return. It's always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back, in case of an emergency. Leave them a map of where you’re going too.

5. Not wearing appropriate clothing or footwear. Layering is key for winter hiking, as is having proper footwear with good traction for walking on snow and ice. (You want that moisture-wicking base layer, a thermal layer, (maybe two), and a weatherproof layer. Oh, and no cotton.

6. Not bringing a map and compass (or knowing how to use them). In the winter, trails may be covered in snow, making them harder to follow. It's important to bring a map and compass and know how to use them in case you need to navigate off-trail. Download AllTrails or some similar hiking app then download a copy of the trail you plan to hike. Check your progress often and make course corrections as needed.

7. Not knowing how to handle an emergency situation. Cold weather can be dangerous, and it's important to know what to do in case of emergencies, such as frostbite or hypothermia. Take a class on wilderness first aid, and do some research on what to do in case of frostbite or hypothermia. Bring along one of those $4.99 thermal reflective blankets.

8. Not being aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. In the winter, there are additional hazards to be aware of, such as thin ice on lakes and rivers, and tree wells (holes around the base of trees filled with snow). Use your hiking poles to check the snow, especially if you’re venturing into areas no one else has hiked. Listen and look at the slopes around you.

9. Not being respectful of the environment and Leave No Trace principles. It's important to practice Leave No Trace principles in the winter to protect the environment and prevent damage to fragile ecosystems. Often those winter trails aren’t quite the usual trail. The snow will obscure the official trail and you’ll be tramping over bushes, small trees, etc., that would usually be left unmolested.

10. Not being prepared for the physical demands of the hike. Winter hikes can be more strenuous due to the cold weather and potentially challenging trail conditions. It's important to be physically fit and prepared for the hike. A four-mile hike uphill in snow shoes is a very different hike than your normal hike. You will burn a lot of calories and work up a serious sweat quickly. Be aware of your body’s limitations and respect them.

You Injured Yourself Hiking

Let's face it, hiking around in nature carries with it inherent dangers. Everything from twisted ankles to broken bones or worse. Knowing this, and being thinking beings, we plan for that contingency and take steps to prevent injuries. However, things happen. So now you've been injured, what to do?

Assess the situation: If you are injured, stop and take a moment to assess the situation. Determine the severity of your injury and whether you are able to continue hiking. If you are unable to continue, it's important to stay put and wait for help. Review the equipment you have with you. What can you use to stabilize the injury? What can you use to call for help?

Stay calm: It's important to stay calm if you are injured while hiking. Panic can make the situation worse and can hinder your ability to make good decisions. Take deep, slow breaths and try to remain calm until help arrives. Panic destroys thinking. Thinking is how our species survives and overcomes. Calm yourself and think things through.

Seek help: If you are unable to continue hiking and your injury is severe, it's important to seek help. Use your phone or other communication devices to call for help, and provide as much information as possible about your location and the nature of your injury. If there is no cell phone reception, can you send a text message? If not, use your whistle to call attention to your location. Lost your whistle? Bang two rocks together and shout out for help.

Treat your injury: If your injury is minor, you may be able to treat it yourself. Use first-aid techniques to clean and dress the wound, and take pain medication if needed. If your injury is more severe, you're going to have to do the best you can with what you have while you wait for professional medical help. I strongly recommend taking a Wilderness First Aid course at least once.

Stay warm and comfortable: If you are injured and unable to continue hiking, it's important to stay warm and comfortable until help arrives. Use a first-aid kit or other supplies to create a makeshift shelter. This is especially true when the weather is either cold and wet or hot and dry. Hypothermia or dehydration will only make a bad situation worse.

Coming back to the idea of prevention: bring along the Ten Essentials, check out the trail conditions and weather before you go, stay on the trail, and use the most important tool you bring on every outdoor adventure, thinking. :)

Hypothermia - The Killer in the Cold

With the season changing to winter, it seems appropriate to talk about hypothermia. Roughly 1,300 people die each year from this very preventable condition. Hypothermia is a condition in which the body's core temperature drops below the normal range, resulting in symptoms such as shivering, numbness, and confusion. This condition can be caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, or by wet and windy conditions, which can reduce the body's ability to retain heat. Left untreated hypothermia can lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death.

To avoid hypothermia, it is important to be prepared for cold weather and to wear appropriate clothing, such as layers of insulation, a waterproof and breathable outer layer, and a hat and gloves. Keep in mind the old saying, “Cotton kills”. This is because cotton will hold onto moisture and as that moisture cools, so will you. So, for all your layers, stick to moisture-wicking materials or wool. It is also important to stay hydrated and well-nourished and to avoid strenuous activities, which can increase the body's heat production and metabolism.

If someone is experiencing hypothermia, you need to take immediate action to help them recover. This may involve removing any wet or damp clothing and replacing it with dry and warm clothing, such as a dry jacket or blanket. It is also important to provide warm and sweet drinks, such as hot chocolate or tea, and to provide gentle and passive heat, such as a warm water bottle or heating pad. If you’re outside, get a blanket or pad under them to prevent the ground from pulling even more heat out of their body. It is also important to seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe or if the person is unable to recover on their own.