Winter Conditions are Here

[MichaelJ]

Up to 10" of snow reported in various parts of the Whites, primarily above 3500' or so. Mt Washington this morning is buried in the clouds with 55mph winds and an ambient temp of only 18°F (that's a wind chill of around –6°F).

Time to start bringing the real gear in your packs ... balaclava, gloves and overmitts, wind pants, plenty of layers, goggles, crampons for up high, possibly stabilicers for down low, some kind of down or other über-warm layer for stops or in case of emergency.

To be really safe, start carrying a small stove and pot, extra food, and a sleeping bag; make sure that if injured you can live through the night out there. Even if hiking with a group, it can take a while for them to get help back up to you.

Any other good winter hiking tips anyone has to share?

 

[andyzee]

Good advice MichaelJ, this year I unexpectedly got stuck in the woods at night and it wasn't a great experience. After this I immediately purchased a headlamp. Winter brings a whole nother bunch of obstacles that people may not think of and then unexpectedly get stuck in.

 

[skibum9995]

Give yourself some extra time. It will take you longer to hike through snow and/or ice than it would on bare ground.

 

[MichaelJ]

Oh, here's one I just remembered ... have a shovel in the car! Often you may arrive at a hike to find the trailhead not plowed. Even worse, you may finish a hike (or backpack) and find yourself snowed in.

A thermos of hot cocoa or tomato soup can be a welcome treat on the summit. Don't forget the hand and/or toe warmers too, they can save you from frostbite if you're having extremity issues.

Bring on the cold!

 

[Mike P.]

The thermos with something warm to drink is great, a real pick me up & better than a cold drink on a hot day.

Glove liners are great too, suprised that thermometer picture has bare fingers, even a couplef of minutes with bare fingers can be tough, thin glove liners allow you to keep something on your fingers & you can still do zippers, buckles & tie laces. if your next layer is some type of fleece or wool glove, practice doing some things with them on. If zippers are hard to grab, add or modify zipper pulls so they are easier to operate with gloves. (This should be a consideration when buying gear too)

Carry extra lash straps so you can carry things on your pack like snowshoes.

While in summer poles are a big help (but some may debate this or how big & complain they are a pain or noisy) they are a even greater help in winter when you may not want to put all your weight on a foot that might be on ice. Can also be used to knock snow off branches in front of you before you knock if off with your head & have it go down your back. (wearing a hood prevents this but uphill may leave you sweating)

 

[MichaelJ]

Glove liners are great too, suprised that thermometer picture has bare fingers, even a couplef of minutes with bare fingers can be tough

They're not my fingers.

 

[MichaelJ]

Heh-heh!