Adventure Tips
Cold Weather Hiking Edition
Layer up!
Gorgeous, puffy parkas are great for downhill sports and winter festivities, but they're not very practical for your winter hiking adventure. Layers are the ideal solution because you can peel them off and put them back on as your exertion changes on the trail. Make sure your base layer is a wicking fabric to keep sweat form accumulating against your skin, and if your jacket has pit zips (zippers in the under arm area) use those to keep air circulating and prevent wet clothes.
Keep your head warm.
Your brain uses 30% of your body's energy - keep it covered to maintain body heat and optimum brain functionality. If you have space, you might consider bringing two hats: one for active hiking and another, warmer version for periods of rest or down time.
Keep Your Head Warm
Your brain uses 30% of your body's energy - keep it covered to maintain body heat and optimum brain functionality. If you have space, you might consider bringing two hats: one for active hiking and another, warmer version for periods of rest or down time.
Protect your water.
Keep your water bottle from freezing up by using a foam sleeve, and consider tucking it on the inside of your jacket for extra protection (make sure it's properly closed!). If you have the chance for a campfire, boil some water to take along on the next bit of your journey - warm liquids keep everyone's spirits up.
Use that sunscreen!
You're using sunscreen every day already (wink wink), but just in case you sometimes forget, here's your friendly reminder that the sun doesn't take a break! In snowy areas, the sun's rays bounce off the snow and you get a double-dose of exposure. Protect your beautiful skin!
Mind the time.
During the winter months, dusk arrives sooner and more quickly than in the summer - be sure you always have a headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries on hand. It's also smart to be familiar with the number of available daylight hours when planning your adventure.
