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Cold Weather Hiking Cold weather does not just
occur in winter. It can also occur in
early spring and late autumn. Mountain
weather is inherently mercurial. Temperature drops about 2 ½ degrees
Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation gained. Wind velocity can vary
by tens of knots due to the channeling effect of terrain. A rain storm can come out of nowhere. A balmy day can change into a
hypothermic challenge in a matter of minutes. The only reliable way of keeping warm in bitter cold weather is body heat. To generate body heat, you have to keep moving. If you are not in adequate physical condition to keep moving you should not be hiking in cold weather. It may not be safe to stop and rest. A fair number of people die from exposure every year due to exhaustion and the resultant hypothermia. Cold weather hiking is not for neophytes. Cold weather hiking apparel
consists of layers of lightweight clothing.
The outer layers are removed in sequence for uphill exertions when
heat is generated. They are stored in
the backpack. This allows the heat to
dissipate and reduces moisture accumulation.
The layers are reapplied as needed to stay warm when stopping to rest
or when the trail levels. When you
stop, it is necessary to prevent the loss of heat. Most hiking clothing comes with Velcro straps to seal the
extremities, including the neck. A change of clothes for
the end of the hike is considered by some to be a mandatory provision in the
winter. When you finish the hike you
stop generating heat. The dampness of
your undergarments and socks persists, however, and, unless you stay in a
warm car, you will get a chill. You
will never really get warm again until you take a hot shower or bath. But dry clothes help. Long Underwear (long sleeved shirt and
pants) is essential for cold weather hiking.
A synthetic fabric such as polypropylene wicks the moisture away from
your skin very effectively. Silk long
underwear is an alternative but it is not as good at removing moisture,
though it dries faster. Synthetic long underwear come in three grades; light,
medium and expedition. Expedition is
the best choice to make sure you stay warm.
The cotton long johns used by farmers and hunters do not work for
hikers. When they get moist from the
sweat generated by climbing, they do not dry. When you stop to rest you get cold and stay cold. It is not practical to change your
underwear on a bitter cold day. Hiking Pants and Shirts made from wool work very
well in cold weather. Wool is an
excellent insulator and dries rapidly.
It is the material of choice in Scotland where wet weather is endemic
(and sheep are profligate). Some
hikers prefer synthetic tight pants for winter hiking. Though sufficient, they are not necessary
for heat retention. A wool shirt over
a polypropylene or silk undershirt is an efficient system for wicking away
moisture and dissipating it. A Jacket is the top layer for the
upper body. Synthetic insulating
fabric jackets that extend to just below the waist work well. They allow heat
to escape to reduce the effects of moisture on body temperature. Some new jacket
materials have a wind resistant layer in addition to the insulating
layer. These also work quite
well. Wool jackets are too heavy and
bulky to be stored in the backpack when not in use. Wind Clothing consisting of a
lightweight jacket and pants are necessary when wind chill becomes a factor.
Even if you are wearing a wind resistant insulating jacket, a separate wind
jacket is advisable. If a jacket
without a wind resistant layer is used, a separate wind jacket is a
necessity. Jackets with just the
insulating layer are transparent to the wind. Wind jackets and wind pants
should be about one size too large to fit over the underlying layers. A Stocking Cap is the most efficient
method of temperature control for mountain hiking. A substantial amount of generated body heat is dissipated from
the head. The cap can readily be
removed during strenuous uphill climbing to reduce sweating. It is the first thing you put back on when
you stop to rest. A snug wool cap that covers the ears is best. Gloves are essential, as it is
not practical to keep your hands in your pockets and negotiate uneven
terrain. The arms are needed for
balance and to break a fall if you stumble.
Keeping your hands warm is the most challenging aspect of cold weather
hiking, as they are isolated from the body and remain relatively static when
hiking, unlike the feet. Mittens
afford the best cold weather protection, but you can’t use your fingers
should the need arise. The result is
that the mittens must be removed frequently at the expense of keeping the
hands warm. One system that works is
wool fingered gloves with oversized synthetic windproof mittens that go over
the gloves for extreme conditions. As
with other clothing, layers are removed as conditions warrant. Winter Footwear - Boots
that are made with rubber lowers and leather uppers (a winterized version of
the Maine hiking boot of LL Bean fame) are very good for hiking through snow,
particularly when it is wet and slushy.
Some leather boots are more waterproof than others and some claim to
keep your feet dry. However, I know
of no leather boot that will keep your feet dry for a full day of hiking
along slushy trails. Socks - A good combination is
a synthetic sock liner with a wool sock.
As is the case with the clothing, the sock liner wicks away the
moisture to the wool, which absorbs quite a lot before it gets
saturated. Synthetic hiking socks
work as well as if not better than
wool socks. A spare set of liners
and socks should always be carried, as you never know when your feet will get
wet. This is especially true in cold
weather, when wet feet can lead to frozen feet. Ice Cleats - Ice cleats come in
various shapes and sizes, but in essence they are studded sandals that strap
onto boots for traversing ice. Ice is
endemic to trails as the sun melts snow from upper elevations during the day
which flows to lower elevations in perpetual shadow to freeze at night. When
a trail is icy, as it often is, it is nearly impossible to negotiate on two
feet. Sometimes even four won't
work. It is generally a good idea to
have a set just in case. One last note. Cold weather implies winter, which in turn
means shorter days and longer nights.
The sun sets very early in December and it can get surprisingly dark
in some mountain valleys as early as 4 PM.
A good flashlight is absolutely essential in the winter. Even though this is part of the standard
equipment for any time of the year, it is worth carrying spare batteries and
making sure your flashlight is in good working order when Daylight Savings
Time "falls back" at the end of October. It is generally a good practice to do a total pack inventory
at this time of the year anyway. You
never know what you are going to find at the bottom of your pack after a
summer of hiking. |