Tips For Backpacking in the Winter
Have you ever considered taking a cold weather backpacking trip? If you haven’t, you should! The forests are quiet and even more gorgeous when covered in glistening snow. However, winter backpacking is not easy and it requires a lot of thought and preparation. These tips for backpacking in the winter can help you get ready for your cold weather trek, but should be paired with plenty of additional research as well.
Why Go Backpacking in the Winter?
You know those gorgeous sites you see on your hikes? Now imagine them covered in a sheet of clean, fresh, and sparkling snow. That’s why you should try backpacking in the winter.
It’s also nice to be able to extend the number of months you can go out hiking for. When you start going cold weather backpacking, your trips are no longer confined to the summer months. You can take a trip whenever the urge strikes you.
You’ll also find that trails and campsites are a lot less busy during the winter. Backpackers will still come across some hikers and skiers, but not nearly as frequently as they do in the summer. If you like to avoid the crowds, a winter trek may be right for you.
Backpacking in the winter has plenty of other challenges and joys that make it worth your time. So if you’re curious, give it a try! Just be sure to use these tips for backpacking in the winter to make sure your first trip goes off without a hitch.
Tips For Backpacking in the Winter
Eat Plenty of Good Food
Eating a hearty, warm meal just feels right in the winter. It warms you up as you eat it and it gives your body the fuel it needs to brave the cold.
You may have heard you burn more calories in cold weather. It’s true, your basal metabolic rate goes up slightly when you’re cold. After all, your body is putting in work to keep you warm (e.g shivering).
The cold weather makes it that much more important to be fueling your body properly before, during, and after your hike. Bring plenty of snacks (like these!) and use these trail nutrition tips.
Reduce Mileage Goals
A cold weather backpacking trip should be shorter than a summer trip. When planning your daily mileage, be sure to keep in mind that you won’t keep up with your warm weather pace.
One reason for this is that you have fewer hours of daylight to work with. Winter days are short, and you’ll want to set up camp before it gets too dark out.
Winter also slows you down. It’s hard to keep a fast pace when you’re trudging through snow. Setting up and packing up camp takes a lot longer, too. All the bulky gear you need for the season will require more effort to pack.
Keep your mileage light, especially during your first cold weather backpacking trips, to keep the experience enjoyable and safe.
Layer Up
Make sure you wear plenty of layers when you’re backpacking in the winter. Have a moisture wicking base layer to keep your body dry and warm. Then add some bulkier mid layers to trap in more heat, such as a fleece or a sweater. After that, toss on a shell layer to keep moisture and wind out.
In addition to these layers, be sure to bring warm accessories such as hats, gloves, socks, and scarves. (here’s our guide for what to wear when hiking in the winter!)
Make sure you manage these layers appropriately and remove the outer layers as you get warm. If you begin to sweat, the inner layers can get damp and you’ll feel yourself getting cold fast. In terms of fabrics, hiking clothes should always be comfortable and breathable. Avoid cotton and other materials that hold on to moisture.
Keep Your Breaks Short
If you only take home one of these tips for backpacking in the winter, make it be this one – keep your breaks short.
While you’re hiking, your consistent movement is keeping your body temperature up. Once you stop, you begin to cool back down. Taking a lengthy break can cause you to catch a chill and have trouble warming up again.
Keep your snacks handy so you can eat as you hike. After a particularly strenuous segment, rest just enough to catch your breath, then continue on your way.
Take Advantage of the Abundant Water
When you’re backpacking in a snowy climate, you are surrounded by water. It is a backpackers paradise to have a water source nearby at all times!
While clean snow is typically thought of as safe to eat, it’s a good idea to boil it before consuming. Especially if the snow isn’t fresh. When you grab snow for water, get it from a clean and untouched area. Designate a zone near your campsite where you are going to grab water from.
Of course, don’t scoop up snow that is discolored or in a trafficked area.
Know Your Trail
In the summer, it can be easy to spot a well-traveled trail. In the winter, a few snow flurries can make your route difficult to find.
Before heading out on the trail, check that the trail is fit for winter hiking and has visible year-round trail markings. To be safe, you should also bring an up-to-date trail map and use it to keep track of where you are at all times.
When it comes to safety, this is one of the tips for winter hiking you don’t want to ignore. Getting lost in the woods can be incredibly dangerous, especially in the winter.
A GPS device such as this one can be essential to someone who frequently hikes on snow-covered trails.
Be Careful With Your Hydration Bladder
When the temperature drops, water freezes. Go figure. But if you’re bringing along a water bladder, this can be a problem.
Water tends to sit in the hose, which can quickly turn to ice in the cold weather. To avoid this, blow into the hose when you’re finished taking a sip to send the water back into the bladder.
Another good alternative is to bring water bottles instead. If you go this route, be sure to carry them in insulated sleeves or pockets. A water bladder is held close to the body, so it stays warm. Water bottles, on the other hand, are more exposed to the cold air. Keep them insulated so they don’t freeze.
Make Snow Work For Your Campsite, Not Against It
Setting up camp in a snowy area is brand new territory for first time winter backpackers. Make sure you know how to use the snow to your advantage to make your campsite the perfect campsite.
Before setting up your tent, pack down the area with boots or snowshoes. When snow is loose, it is more likely to melt. A well-packed base will help keep you dry at night.
If it’s a windy night, try forming a snow wall around your tent. This will help break the wind. If you have nice, packable snow, don’t stop there. Build yourself a chair and a kitchen table for comfortable eating. Might as well build dinner guests, too, while you’re at it.
Keep Your Boot Liners and Socks Warm
If snow has gotten into your boots or your feet sweat, your boots, boot liners, and socks may get wet throughout the day. Leaving them out to dry is a great idea in the summer, but not as great in the winter. They may freeze overnight.
The last thing you want to do on a cold morning is stick your foot in a frozen boot.
Keep your socks and boot liners in your sleeping bag overnight. They will stay warm from your body heat and won’t freeze. This is also a good idea for keeping your clothes for the next day warm. You can put your boots in your sleeping bag as well, but it might not be comfortable. I recommend keeping your boots in your tent and leaving fresh hand warmers inside each boot at night.
Bring the Right Gear
There are some pieces of gear that you can use for both summer and winter hiking. It’s important to know what gear on your packing list you will need to swap out for the weather.
Sleeping bags, socks, and tents are all key pieces of gear that will differ for the season.
Thinking you can get by with your usual backpacking gear is a mistake you shouldn’t make. Even if you sleep warm, a 40 degree sleeping bag isn’t going to keep you comfortable when the temperature dips below freezing. Invest in quality winter gear. Or, if you’re not sure if you’ll be making cold weather backpacking a hobby, rent some.
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Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash
