11 Safety Tips for Winter Hiking and Camping

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If you’ve never gone hiking and camping in the winter, you’re missing out. Now’s your chance!

As winter approaches, you should prepare for your first winter hiking and camping trip. Not sure how to start out? Besides following the hiking safety essentials, you should follow safety tips like hiking with an experienced hiker, wearing a medical alert bracelet and bringing along basic safety gear.

1. Never go alone

First and foremost, as a new hiker, you’re always best off when hiking with someone experienced. Why? They can provide you with tips and tricks that will make the hike easier. Also, they can help you avoid potential pitfalls which could lead to serious injury.

This is especially necessary for winter hiking and camping, as they can protect you against the more dangerous sides of being outdoors in cold, snowy weather.

2. Wear enough layers

 The problem with winter hiking and camping is that the weather is bound to get cold, to the point where the temperature gets below freezing or, at worse, below zero. You shouldn’t take your chances with the weather. Instead, you need to make sure you wear enough clothes to stay safe.

Clothing you should be wearing include:

  • Thick merino wool socks
  • Waterproof pants
  • A pants underlayer (if needed)
  • A shirt
  • Another shirt (if needed)
  • A warm, waterproof jacket
  • A hat
  • Gloves and/or mittens

These are simple ways to ensure you can keep your core and limbs warm, both during your hike and at night.

3. Don’t overdress

While you want to be wearing enough clothes, you also don’t want to overdress. A good rule of thumb, for your hike, is to dress as if it’s 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the actual temperature. The reason being is that you’ll warm up once you begin hiking.

If you’re wearing too many clothes, that could lead to you sweating too much, which will cause sweat to collect in your clothes. That sweat will begin to cool once you stop hiking. Worst of all, that may lead to you developing hypothermia — if it becomes cold enough.

Instead, pack some extra layers and put them on if you need them. Otherwise, dress a bit lighter.

Source: trek6500/Shutterstock

4. Bring along extra clothes, underwear and socks

Accidents happen. Not even the physically dangerous kind, either. An accident could be as small as falling on your butt, which causes your jacket and pants to get wet. While that’s fine in the summer, that can spell certain trouble during the winter. That’s why you should store an extra pair of clothes within your pack.

5. Trekking poles seriously help

Trekking poles can be a total lifesaver amidst snowy weather. With them, you can tackle snowy slopes, ridges and mountains without worrying about a slip and fall accident.

6. Wear a medical alert bracelet

As mentioned above, accidents happen. But sometimes accidents can be more serious. Rather than taking your chances, you can wear ID bracelets to remain safe while on the trail. In the event of a serious injury, a stranger can use your medical alert bracelet to verify your identity and medical history, all of which can be a true lifesaver when in need of help.

7. Pack a headlamp

Worried about moving around in the morning or late at night? Hear something go bump in the night and want to check outside your tent, without having to get outside of your tent to see it?

Remember to pack a headlamp so you can see your surroundings with next to no problem.

8. Wear the right boots

The right boots go a long way when hiking and camping in the winter. What are the right type of boots?

Winter hiking and camping boots should include the following:

  • They should have reliable traction on the outsole
  • They should be waterproof yet breathable
  • They should be warm
  • They need to fit
  • They should be comfortable

Why all of the above? You want to make sure that your feet are comfortable throughout your hike, all while being protected against the elements. This ensures you don’t have to worry about poor weather conditions. Best of all, you can keep calluses at bay while helping your feet retain their warmth through the day.

9. Carry your compass and map

No matter how much you think you are prepared, don’t take your chances. While you may think Google Maps is reliable, you never know when your phone will die or when you’ll be without internet. Instead, be sure to pack a compass and map. Consider them a last line of defense when you need them most.

10. Don’t forget your essential safety items 

Don’t leave your First Aid kit at home. A small cut shouldn’t cause you anxiety while out on the trail. Instead, you should have nearby tools that can take care of small injuries while also having the tools needed to maintain a worse injury until you can get it seen by a professional.

Source: Halfpoint/Shutterstock

11. Sun protection still matters

Lastly, you might not realize it, but a pair of sunglasses and some sunscreen will go a long way. Why? It’s winter, isn’t it?

That’s exactly why. With it being winter, you’re bound to have a lot of snow. Snow reflects a lot of UV rays, which can cause your face to get sunburnt after enough exposure. Moreover, it could lead to a condition known as snow blindness.

For that reason, you’ll want to dab some sunscreen on your nose and face. You should also bring along a pair of reliable hiking sunglasses to protect your eyes.

While you can follow all of the above tips, the best thing you can do is remain flexible. Camping and hiking tend to never go perfectly. There’s always some hitch that requires you to think on your feet, taking action in the moment so you can remain comfortable and safe. So follow the above tips, remain prepared and keep your head on a swivel. And don’t forget your gloves at home!

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