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Winter Hiking and Backcountry SkiingWinter hiking

Safety

Winter is a beautiful and rewarding time to be outdoors, but its challenging conditions require taking special care.   Nearly every year in the Adirondacks a few unfortunate winter hikers or skiers suffer hypothermia, frostbite, become lost, or worse. The following information is no substitute for experience and proper instruction. It is written to serve as a general checklist and reminder to winter backcountry users. For complete coverage of winter hiking and camping, consult Winterwise by John M. Dunn (ADK, publisher).  You may also contact the ADK High Peaks Information Center at 518-523-3441 for trail information.

Trip Planning and Conditioning

Winter hiking, skiing, and backpacking are strenuous sports. Begin winter hiking with a summer or fall of hiking regularly, and build up gradually. A minimum of four people is recommended for winter hiking, with at least two people having prior winter experience. Stay together. Study a map and guidebook beforehand and know the terrain and elevation changes, mileage, trail junctions, and water supplies. Choose an itinerary consistent with the abilities of your group, remembering that weather and snow conditions can drastically alter the pace of a trip. Be sure to leave word of your itinerary with family or friends, and sign in at trail registers.

Weather

Mountain weather can change rapidly and unexpectedly. Temperatures can drop 40 degrees Fahrenheit in a number of hours, or a sudden warm front can bring winter rainstorms. When climbing peaks, every 1000 feet (305 meters) of elevation gain drops the temperature 3-5 degrees F (2-3 degrees C), and snow grows steadily deeper. Winds on the summit can be severe and whiteout conditions are possible.   Before starting out obtain the latest, most accurate weather report and keep an eye on changes in the weather. Click here for High Peaks weather information.

Avalanche Information

Food and Water

Heavy exertion in cold, dry air uses both calories and liquids, up to 4000-5000 calories per day and 2-4 quarts/liters of water. Drink frequently. If you wait till you are thirsty you are already dehydrated, and dehydration can accelerate hypothermia and frostbite. Take frequent short snack stops; eating and drinking enough helps prevent hypothermia, frostbite, and fatigue. Winter foods should be easy to cook and digest and hard to freeze.

Clothing

Wear several layers, adding or subtracting as needed to keep from cooling down or overheating (overheating leads to sweating and damp clothing, which greatly increases heat loss).   Inner layers provide warmth, while outer layers protect from wind and wet.

  • Base layer: Wicking long johns to carry moisture away from your body
  • Middle layer(s): Insulation to retain body heat
  • Outer layer: Wind and waterproof shell

Do not wear cotton! Cotton does not insulate once it is wet. Instead, it wicks heat away from your body and contributes to hypothermia. Jeans, sweatshirts, and cotton flannel and long johns are dangerous and should not be worn.

Recommended winter clothing

Wear wool and/or synthetics. Wool, polypropylene, fleece, and synthetic insulation are all warm even when wet. Down is also very warm, but it must be kept dry or it loses its insulating capacity.

  • Long underwear: polypropylene, polyester, or wool
  • Shirt:   Wool or synthetic fleece
  • Wool sweater or fleece jacket.
  • Pants:   Tight weave wool or synthetic
  • Fleece or down pants *
  • Hooded shell jacket and pants: For wind and water protection (Essential on summits)
  • Thinsulate or Primaloft jacket and down vest
  • Hat with good ear protection
  • Balaclava/Facemask:* Essential above treeline
  • Mittens or gloves with waterproof overmitts:   Gloves are not as warm as mittens and are not recommended alone, but may be worn inside mittens.
  • Socks: light wicking inner sock and heavier wool outer socks, plus dry spares
  • Winter boots: Felt-lined pack boots, double leather, insulated, or plastic boots, or military insulated Mickey Mouse boots.  Should be roomy enough not to restrict circulation. Avoid single-weight hiking boots.
  • Ski boots: Should be for backcountry use, not lightweight touring or racing .
  • Gaiters to keep snow out of your boots.

*  Optional

Skis and Snowshoes

Skis or snowshoes are required for safe travel in the backcountry during snow season.   Even when the trails are bare down low there can be several feet of snow higher up.   Off the packed trail snow can be waist deep.   Post-holing (hiking bare booted, punching holes in the snow with each step) makes the trail unsafe for the next person and is very tiring.

In the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, the use of skis or snowshoes is mandatory once there is 8 inches (20 cm) of snow on the ground.

Crampons or instep crampons may be necessary for icy areas and exposed summits, and trekking/ski poles or an ice ax are also helpful.

Gear

Do not rely on rescue – be self-sufficient!   Always be prepared to be out overnight in case of an emergency. Even if you are able to send for help, rescue takes time, sometimes overnight. Be aware that cell phones work inconsistently in the backcountry and do not take the place of trip planning and preparedness. Carrying and using the right equipment can make the difference between a safe hike and hypothermia, frostbite, or even death – it's well worth the extra weight. Pack the following in a good internal or external frame pack of at least 3500 cubic inches.

  • Food and water
  • Stove, fuel, waterproof matches, and pot
  • Emergency blanket and/or bivy sack
  • Ensolite padding or sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground during rest stops or emergencies
  • Map & compass
  • Headlamp and extra batteries (lithium works best in the cold)
  • Whistle
  • First aid kit including splinting materials and triangular bandages.
  • Knife
  • Sunglasses or goggles
  • Crampons or instep crampons for icy areas, difficult stream crossings, and above treeline
  • Repair kit for snowshoes, skis, etc.Trails Information

In Case of Emergency

In case of an accident attend to the victim, then carefully assess your predicament. If outside help is needed, write down the time, circumstances of the accident, type of injury, and the weight, age, and sex of the victim. Mark your location on a map. One person should stay with the victim while the others go for help. Stay as warm and comfortable as possible, and bear in mind that it may take several hours or even overnight for help to arrive. Forest ranger emergency dispatch can be reached at 518- 891-0235.

Environmental Concerns

The wilderness is a fragile resource. To protect it, carry out all of your trash and cover up all signs of your passing, including yellow snow. Stay out of the woods during unseasonable thaws and the spring mud season when the soil is especially vulnerable. At higher elevations frozen alpine plants are very fragile so please keep to the trails. Walk softly and quietly, enjoying the woods around you.

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