1. Clothing Choices
One word: layers. Controlling your temperature can be difficult while adventuring in the winter, so it is important to have options. I, for one, usually get really hot while hiking uphill and end up stripping down to just my base layer within the first half mile of the hike. But, when I stop moving to take a break for lunch, I start to cool off almost immediately! It is important to have layers you can take off or put on depending on your activities and your environment. I have found that if I take off clothes before I’m actually hot or put on clothes before I’m cold, I usually can keep myself a comfortable temperature and can avoid the extremes.
I usually just hike in my base layers because I get so hot while I’m moving
I usually have three layers for my top. First, I have a synthetic base layer. It’s very thin and lightweight. Some people prefer wool, but synthetics materials work just as well. Cotton should be avoided at all costs. Once it’s wet, cotton does not dry, so could cause you to get hypothermic once you stop moving.
My second top layer is my insulating mid-layer, such as a puffy jacket or a fleece. I usually put on my puffy as soon as I take a break. My puffy can also block light breezes, which is nice, because it is usually little breezy all the time. I also carry a light fleece jacket with me when snowshoeing or winter hiking. If it is super rainy, I prefer to wear the fleece instead of the puffy. Fleece will insulate even in wet, but once puffies get wet, they are basically useless. I also just like having an extra layer in case an unexpected storm comes or it’s colder than I thought it would be.
I put on my hat and puffy once I reach my destination
My last top layer is a hard shell rain jacket. I wear this over my other layers to protect against precipitation or wind. There have been times that I’ve been hiking up super windy mountain summits and just needed protection from the wind. My insulated puffy would have made me too hot, but my rain jacket was perfect.
I only have two layers for my legs. My base layer is my pair of synthetic leggings. I have cold weather ones that have a light fleece lining, but any athletic leggings are fine (as long as they don’t have any cotton in them). My second layer is a pair of uninsulated rain pants. Similar to my rain jacket, they protect from wind and rain. Some people like to wear insulated snow pants, but I get so hot when I hike it’s not worth it for me to have them. I also find that when I stop for breaks, insulating my top half keeps me warm enough.
Finally, I always make sure to have hats and gloves with me. Lots of heat is lost through your head, so it’s important to have a beanie to keep your head and ears warm. I usually have multiple pairs of gloves with me when I hike. I like having back ups just in case one gets wet or I lose a pair.
Wearing rain layers at Mt. Rainier to protect against wind and precipitation
2. Traction Devices
Having the proper traction devices in the winter is very important. Not having them could make your hike harder than necessary, less enjoyable, and even dangerous. The two most common traction devices are microspikes and snowshoes.
Microspikes have a rubber top that goes around your hiking boot. Chains with metal spikes wrap around your boot. The spikes dig into ice and keep you from slipping and sliding down the trail. They are best used when the trail is covered in ice or packed down from people hiking before you.
Microspikes
Snowshoes are a large, flat platform with bindings that secure to your boot. They usually have some spikes on the bottom that can dig into the snow and help provide grip as well. Because snowshoes distribute your weight over a large surface area, they keep you from sinking into snow that hasn’t been packed down. They are most useful after fresh snow or if you are the one of the first people on trail. For the most part, snowshoes are not helpful if the trail is already packed down.
While snowshoes are cool and allow you a little more freedom, microspikes will get you almost everywhere you want to go. The only time I’ve actually used my snowshoes was when I’ve gone to Mt. Rainier National Park. All of the other trails I have been on have been really packed down by the time I got there, so I have been fine in just microspikes! Unless you plan to do a lot of less popular trails or want to be the first one on trail after a big storm, you will probably be alright with microspikes.
Snowshoes
It is also important to have traction devices for your car. Some places, like Mt. Rainier National Park, require that you carry chains in the winter months, even if your car is AWD or 4WD. I keep mine in the trunk of my car all winter just in case I ever need them. Before buying chains, make sure to read your car’s owners manual because some cars need chains with certain specifications.
3. Environmental Concerns and Safety
If you want to go snowshoeing or hiking in the winter, there are special environmental hazards that you have to take into consideration. The biggest one is avalanches. Avalanches are sliding snow that can bury, injure, or kill a person. I do not claim to be an expert in avalanches or avalanche safety, I just want to share what I do to keep myself safe.
First, I took a free Avalanche Awareness Class through the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). This class teaches the very basics of avalanche safety and provides resources if you want to learn more. NWAC also publishes an avalanche forecast every evening for the next day predicting the avalanche danger in different regions. Based on how high the avalanche danger is, I can decide if it is safe to go out or if I should find a snow free hike instead.
NWAC homepage with avalanche forecast
I highly recommend that anyone wanting to hike in the winter or snowshoe take a free Avalanche Awareness Class through NWAC. If you are not from the Pacific Northwest, you can likely find a similar class or the avalanche forecast through your state or region’s avalanche center. You can also find information for most of the western United States on Avalanche.org.
Avalanches are most likely to occur on slopes between 30 and 45 degrees. I have an app called CalTopo which allows me to overlay a slope angle map over the normal map. I can then evaluate my intended route to see if it passes through or under a slope that is 30 to 45 degrees. If it’s a small section, sometimes I am able to find a way around it. If I can’t find a way around the steep slopes, I find another hike with lower angled slopes. Of course, CalTopo cannot account for all hazards which affect avalanche conditions, but it’s a good place to start.
Though a popular summer hike, the trail to Snow Lake is right below avalanche terrain (circled in red) and should not be hiked in winter. This screenshot is from CalTopo.
Another thing to remember is that the sun sets earlier in the winter. If you don’t want to hike in the dark, you may need to start your hikes earlier to ensure you are out of the woods before the sun starts to set.
Weather in the mountains is unpredictable, especially in the winter. The forecast may call for sunny skies all day, but a storm could move in at any time with no warning. The first time I went snowshoeing, it went from sunny to white out conditions in the span of 15 minutes.
For these reasons, it is so important to make sure you have the 10 Essentials every time you go hiking in case something doesn’t go as planned. Having a head lamp, extra food, or extra layers could mean the difference between life and death in the winter. I don’t say this to scare you out of hiking in the winter, it is just important to be prepared on your adventures.
Old avalanche debris I saw on a recent hike (note, avalanche danger was forecasted as low on the day I did this hike, and the slope was away from the trail)
4. Finding Trails to Hike
In my experience, it is a little bit harder to find hikes during the winter than in the summer. There is so much more to take into consideration in the winter: road closures, avalanche danger, trail conditions, etc. My primary resource is the Washington Trail Association (WTA). I can search for snowshoe trails specifically and then filter by length, elevation gain, and region. If you don’t live in Washington, you can use the All Trails app. You can also use the same filters, I just find WTA to be a more complete resource for hikes in Washington.
Snowshoeing at Mt. Rainier National Park
I always take the time to read the trip reports before I go. Trip reports are a great place to learn about road and trail conditions and figure out if I need to bring my snowshoes or if microspikes will be sufficient. Occasionally, I find a hike that doesn’t have any recent trip reports. This may not mean anything, but it could indicate that hike is not a good one to do during the winter.
As mentioned above, I also use the CalTopo app to evaluate slope angle along and near my intended route. I always check NWAC for the avalanche forecast.
No single app can provide every piece of information, but by using cross referencing several apps or websites, I can usually get a pretty clear picture of the hike to ensure I am prepared for it.
Winter hike at Heather Lake
5. Other Things That May Be Helpful
Getting an insulated sit pad changed my life. Nothing is worse than sitting on a cold rock or in the snow and feeling it draining the heat from your body. It is so nice to be able to sit and enjoy my breaks while sitting on my pad instead of shivering to conserve body heat!
Gaiters have also been a game changer for me. Gaiters wrap around your lower leg and strap below your boots. They keep snow from falling into the top of your boots and getting your socks all wet. Last weekend, I was at my car after a hike had already taken off my gaiters when I stepped in some snow that I thought was solid. It was not solid and I sank into the snow. Snow fell into the top of my boot and it was so cold!
Having an insulated sit pad to use during my breaks has been a game changer!
I used to worry a lot about my phone dying in cold temperatures. My phone is my main form of navigation and I love taking photos, so it is important for me to protect it and keep it warm. I usually keep my phone in my hip belt pocket while I’m hiking. To keep it warm, I put a disposable hand warmer in the pocket with my phone. Disposable hand warmers are fairly cheap and light and can be used for more than just keeping your hands warm!
Bring something warm to eat or drink if you can. Sometimes I bring my JetBoil (camp stove) with me to make ramen when I stop for lunch. I have found that it is really hard to eat a cold sandwich after hiking in the cold for several hours. Eating something warm is just more enjoyable for me. Even if you don’t have a camp stove, you could bring a thermos of tea or hot chocolate to enjoy on your breaks!
Snowshoeing at Kendall Peaks Lakes
A Note on Affordable Gear
It’s no secret that hiking gear is expensive and winter gear especially. But, there are many ways to get affordable gear that is still good quality. I got my microspikes, gaiters, and snowshoes on Amazon for cheaper than I would have at REI. They may not last for 5 years, but if you are just getting into winter adventuring, this could be a good option for you.
While looking for clothing, check out your local thrift store. You can certainly find used athletic clothes and may even find a name brand item among the racks. There are also places to specifically buy second hand outdoor gear. Isella Outdoor is an online platform that allows people to buy and sell used outdoor gear. If you’re local to Seattle, you could also check out Wonderland Gear Exchange. I got some of my base layers and my running shoes there! Definitely one of my favorite stores!
Don’t feel like you need the newest or most expensive gear!
Winter hike to Talapus Lake
