Trekking in winter may sound intimidating. While planning the trekking activity is one thing, handling the cold weather is another.

It is important to be ready for chilly winds and freezing temperatures, in order to keep yourself safe.

Here’s how you need to plan your trip:

Footwear

Invest in a good pair of hiking boots; you will need a lot of support when carrying your heavy backpack up a cold and snowy slope. Make sure that the boots are the right fit. They may cause blisters if they’re too tight.

Good quality hiking boots will also keep your feet warm throughout the trip. When you go to sleep at night, remember to keep your boots in a watertight bag so that you do not find them frozen in the morning.

Adding layers

You should take several layers of clothing on your trip. Once you stop moving, your body will start cooling immediately; add more layers to your body.

It is important to always have a jacket handy, which you should be able to put on instantly when you have to stop for any reason. Once the body starts losing heat, it is very difficult to warm it again.

Don’t take cotton

Try to not to take anything cotton on winter hikes, such as gloves and socks. Cotton absorbs water easily. If your cotton clothing items becomes wet, it will put you at risk of hypothermia.

Sleeping bag

A normal sleeping bag that you have been using for your summer camps will be never be enough to keep your warm. You’ll need to buy a bag for winter use. Check out the expected temperatures of the location you are looking to trek—day and night. Get a sleeping bag that is rated at least 15 degrees lower than the expected weather. This is because temperatures in high altitudes are a lot lower than what is showing on the thermometer.

Tent

Tents come with permanent and detachable rain flies, which must be used effectively in winters. The rain flies play an important role in maintaining warmer temperature inside the tent.

Keep a slight distance between the rain flies and outer walls of the tent for proper ventilation.

About Light Hiking Gear

The author of this blog is a passionate hiker and regularly writes for Light Hiking Gear. Aarn is an award winning, New Zealand-based designer and manufacturer of hiking materials especially designed to suit different body types and improve agility, stability and comfort. For more information, visit their official US website https://lighthikinggear.com