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Backpacker Magazine – October 2009
Stay Comfortable in Any Weather: Cold
Staying warm is easier than getting warm: Plan ahead.
On the Trail | In Camp | Key Gear | Where to Camp
ON THE TRAIL
Lose layers. If you overdress at the trailhead, you'll soon be sweaty. Instead, do jumping jacks or jog in place so you're not chilled for the first 10 minutes.
Stay dry. In extreme cold (below zero), manage your layers and pace with this legendary Arctic adage in mind: You sweat, you die.
Keep layers handy. You'll take them on and off frequently. When you're not wearing a hat or gloves, stow them in pockets, down your shirt, or clipped to a shoulder strap. Stash your puffy jacket and a shell in the top of your pack.
Breathe through your nose. In temps below 20°F, some hikers experience chest pain from cold air. Inhale through your nose and the air will warm up before it hits your lungs.
Take short breaks. Maintain the body heat you've already generated by resting briefly (and more frequently if needed). At breaks, put on an extra layer right away–don't wait until you're chilled.
Eat fast. Stash snacks in each pocket of your puffy jacket, so that when you put it on during breaks you can refuel without digging around. Keep energy bars from freezing by storing them with a hot-water bottle or hand warmer.
Sit on your pack. Conserve energy during rest stops: Sit on your pack (read: insulation) with your back to the wind.
Keep your feet warm. Prone to cold toes? Cut a square from a closed-cell foam pad (light and cheap) to insulate your feet during breaks. Always change into dry socks if your feet get sweaty.
Use chemical hand warmers. These have myriad uses beyond saving cold digits: Stuff them in interior pockets to increase core temp; pre-warm a sleeping bag by tossing one in an hour before bed; thaw frozen boots in the morning; boost stove output by taping one to the canister.
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READERS COMMENTS
Put a chemical hand warmer in your camera case when it gets cold. Keeps your batteries working and much better than stowing the camera close to the body and having it condensate.
Posted: Nov 15, 2009 Ken Jones
Put a chemical hand warmer in your camera case when it gets cold. Keeps your batteries working and much better than stowing the camera close to the body and having it condensate.
Posted: Nov 15, 2009 Ken Jones
Put your boots in a stuff sack in the bottom of your sleeping bag. They will be toasty when wake up.
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 gasimons
Carb up and stay warm all night..Before bed have some fatty food--mine is pepperonie and cheese on a Triscuit--just don't tell your heart doc about it.
Posted: Oct 24, 2009 Scout
For siting tents: in rain I avoid sleeping under trees as the drips can get very big and wet you if you get up during the night.
In snow: pitching your tent lee to a cornice but still close is a good idea as the cornice indicates an area of still air. This only works as long as the cornice formed in the same air direction as is currently or forecast to blow in.
We camped at a site like this on a long ridgeline and found the next day it was the most sheltered site on the whole ridgeline.
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 Honora
Bears should not be a problem in winter since they hibernate.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Hiking.Glory
Bears are usually hibernating in the winter and dont usually venture into cold alpine altitudes. stick the candy in your bag, youll be safe and warm
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 PACT
Please be careful when you advise people to take candy bars into their tents to snack on during the night. In bear country you must hang all food items. The same advice goes for cooking and eating inside your tent. Bears have an amazing sense of smell.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Linda Morrison
Wear vapor barrier clothing to bed or use a vapor barrier sleeping bag liner.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Frank
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