How to Prepare for a Winter Hike

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Dress in layers.

   Wear a wicking, snug-fitting under-layer to help keep you dry and warm.
   
   Add 1 or 2 layers of insulating fleece, wool or synthetic materials.
   
   Avoid cotton, which gets wet and stays wet against your skin, robbing your body of heat.
   
   Finish with a windproof, waterproof and breathable--or at least wind- and water-resistant--outer layer of both pants and jacket.
   
   Don't forget to don warm gloves and socks that are loose enough to allow adequate circulation in your fingers and toes.
   
   You can layer your gloves and socks just like you layer the rest of your body, but try to limit yourself to about 2--or in extreme conditions, 3--layers.
   
   Add a warm, insulated hat and an extra windproof, waterproof head layer--the hood on your jacket will do for the latter.
   
   Sturdy, insulated shoes help keep your feet warm.
   
   Avoid wearing tennis shoes during a winter hike; the shoes will just turn into a soggy, squishy mess full of melted snow.
2. 2

   Step 2: Consider the snow conditions where you'll be traveling: Do you need snowshoes or skis to travel safely?

   , Avalanches aren't random, and recognizing the elements that create ideal conditions for a natural or human-triggered avalanche helps you avoid them. , These include:
   Fire building First aid Digging snow caves and other emergency winter shelters How to conduct an avalanche beacon search, and an avalanche probe search How to navigate in the low visibility winter weather can cause. , These include:
   First aid kit Headlamp Fire-starting materials, including a lighter or waterproof matches Emergency shelter (a bivvy sack or "space blanket" is a good start, although probably not enough on its own) Knife Whistle, mirror or other signaling device Map and compass Avalanche beacon, probe and shovel Extra food , Then stick to the plan.
   
   Ask around for information about avalanche hazard on your chosen path.
   
   Pay attention to not only avalanche hazard on the slope you're on as you travel, but the slopes above you and to the sides as well; avalanches can run a surprising distance past the foot of a mountain. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Learn to evaluate and manage avalanche hazard.

4. 4

   Step 4: Learn seasonally appropriate emergency skills.

5. 5

   Step 5: Pack seasonally appropriate supplies and

6. 6

   Step 6: most importantly of all

7. 7

   Step 7: know how to use them.

8. 8

   Step 8: Let somebody know where you're going

9. 9

   Step 9: which route you intend to take

10. 10

    Step 10: and when you'll be back.

11. 11

    Step 11: Pay attention to your gut; if the weather looks like it's turning bad

12. 12

    Step 12: you'd do better to turn back and hike again later

13. 13

    Step 13: instead of getting caught out in a storm.

Detailed Guide

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