Must Have Gear For Winter Hiking

If you’re new to Winter hiking, you might be unsure what you need to safely prepare. This guide to Winter hiking gear will have you out on the trails with warmth and safety in mind!

Layer up, Darling!

It is imperative to prevent sweating. If you are already soaked in sweat, you didn’t understand the assignment. Start cold, you’ll heat up quickly. I go into depth with layering basics here: https://adkmountaingirl.com/?p=124.

To keep warm while not perspiring is a fine balance that will be unique to everyone! You’ll have to play around with varying layers to see what is going to work for you. What works for me, might not work for you. I can get away with hiking in a base layer and often have my gloves hooked onto me rather than on my hands. (I run hot!!)

If you’ve stopped for a snack you’ll want to throw on a down jacket. This will usually curb the cold unless you’ve stopped for a longer duration or on a summit. In that case, you’ll want to throw on your outer shell jacket on top of your down to stay warm. In extreme negative temperatures (including wind chill) frostbite can occur in 15 minutes! With that being said, it is important to cover delicate extremities. Nose, ears, fingers, toes are all vulnerable body parts that you’ll want to keep extra warm. You’ll want to gear up before exposing yourself above treeline. Avoid exposing your skin at all in extreme temperatures!

• Liner gloves
• Hardshell gloves
• Balaclava
• Thermal hat
• Ski goggles
• Hand warmers

Choosing the Right Traction

Terrain can vary greatly as you ascend to higher elevations. You might not need traction at the trailhead, however you don’t want to be caught without them closing in on the summit!

Icy trails without snow will require a more aggressive traction device such as microspikes or crampons. If the trail is heavily iced or on steeper slopes, crampons or an intermediate will be the best bet to safely ascend.

Here in the Adirondacks snowshoes are a requirement for 8+ inches of snow. Many people become confused on this regulation because the trail is packed down and nicely groomed from the amount of foot traffic. However, you step off of that nicely groomed trail and you might catch yourself knee to waist deep in soft powdery snow or a spruce trap! Good mountaineering snowshoes are those that have aggressive crampons and a televator. For hiking in the backcountry I buy the shortest ones I can find. You don’t want to be awkwardly maneuvering if your snowshoes are too lengthy. I wear Tubbs Mountaineer and they’ve been my trusty go-to for almost 7 years!

It is noteworthy to state: no one likes a postholer. Postholing is barebooting or spiking your way through deep snow. When the trail freezes like that it becomes a dangerous safety hazard for all.

*Side Story* I was out for a winter sunset hike on Poke-O-Moonshine (I ended up missing the sunset because my hiking partner and I were breaking trail the whole way) as I was reaching the summit it became dark but not dark enough to use my headlamp yet; I was going rather fast because I wanted to catch the last colors of the night and I kept falling! I was like, what in the world is going on?! I was too stubborn to stop then, however on my way back out with my headlamp on, I noticed someone had post holed underneath the fresh snow!

You could see how this could be dangerous if people aren’t lucky enough to fall without injury. People break bones. It is not something to take lightly and it is not something that should ever be a conscious choice.

DON’T BE A POSTHOLER.

END RANT.

Along with traction, I like to add in trekking poles. I have a love hate relationship with these things. I don’t use them in summer hiking but I will never go without them in Winter. They are super helpful when stabilizing yourself to either ascend or descend icy spots. Just like with my foot traction, I like to dig into the ice with these.

Another tool when ascending in really icy conditions is an ice axe. Although I do have one, I haven’t had to use it yet in the Adirondack backcountry. They can be dangerous if not used properly, so if you opt to use one, make sure you practice using it correctly!

Navigation

Far too many people rely on their phone for backcountry navigation. While you may get away with it during the summer, electronics do not work so good in cold weather and will shut down on you.

Keep a map and compass and know how to use it.

Newer Garmin watches or a Garmin InReach are excellent and handy additions to your map and compass.

Be Prepared for the Worst

No one likes to think of what can go wrong. However, it might save your life. Being prepared for the worst means that if the worst did actually occur, you would survive.

• Waterproof matches and firestarter (dryer lint is great for this!)
• Emergency Bivy
• Lithium ion batteries
• Headlamp + a backup
• Extra food and water
• Change of clothes
• Extra socks and liner gloves
• First aid kit
• Water filter + way to boil water. (Jetboil or small container to put over a fire)
• Medications (pain reliever)
• Gear repair kit (knife, duct tape, zip ties)
• Extra pair of contacts or glasses if you wear them

Winter Hiking Requires More Energy

Winter hiking can be taxing on the body. Tramping through snow with a heavier load and breaking trail is hard work that requires extra calories and extra hydration. You’ll burn a minimum of 100 calories/hr and for more strenuous hikes you can burn up to 500 calories per hour! You’ll want to consume a total of 3-5000 calories. No need to feel guilty as your body will burn all of this energy. I’m giving you permission to pig out!

Adequate hydration and food consumption will keep your energy high and buffer you from onset of hypothermia! Educate yourself with the signs/symptoms of hypothermia and know your limits. The mountains will be around for a long time to come; make sure you are too.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you’re planning a winter hike and have questions! I love to help out!

Happy Trails!

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