Backpacker Magazine – Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012

Winter Survival Guide: Travel

Hiking through the snow is beautiful, but not exactly easy. Use these tips to make your winter traverse all the more pleasant.

Tags:
• Survival
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• Skills
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Keep Crampons Clear
“Snow can ball up between the spikes and cause you to slip. Prevent buildup by getting anti-balling plates, plastic pieces that block and shed snow so it doesn’t build up underfoot and compromise traction. You can buy them for $25 to $50, or make your own with plastic and duct tape.”
—Brendan Oldham, Colorado Mountain Club instructor



Preempt Frostnip
“Examine the skin on your face, ears, fingers, and toes for white-looking, waxy, or numb spots. Rewarm with skin-to-skin contact or warm water (no rubbing).”
–Tod Schimelpfenig, NOLS/WMI curriculum director