Preparing For Safe Hiking This Winter |Wanderung| Newsletter

Preparing For Safe Hiking This Winter

by Bob Manson, NSR

When we were young and learning to ride a bicycle, we learned the rules of
the road, how to lookout for hazards and avoid them, and how to ride
safely. These things made us resilient. When we go into the woods and the
mountains it is important to also learn the ways to remain safe and
resilient when recreating there.

The 10 essentials. These are things that are meant to keep you out of
trouble, keep you alive if you get into trouble and help get you out of
trouble. Know them and how to use them. Don’t skimp on them or they won’t
be able to do for you what you want them to do when you need them to do it.
Another essential should be the belief that ‘it’ can happen to you so you
know to be prepared.

Trip plan.  Check guide books or web sites to learn about your intended
route. How is it marked? What should I expect to see so I will know if I am
on the route? Where are good turn-around points if we are running late, or
lose the route? How long should it take for someone in our level of fitness
(considering the slowest moving person in your group)?  What will we do if
we lose the trail? What will we do if it gets dark? What will we do if the
clouds come down to ground? Trip planning is not just about where you want
to go, but the contingencies if it doesn’t go as planned. Plan to keep
yourself out of trouble.

Know your environment. Will your intended route take you into snow-covered
terrain? Will it be steep and icy? Does the weather forecast predict snow
that may obscure your trail or make travel slow and strenuous? Even if not
snowing, will there be snowmelt dripping off the trees or tree bombs
falling that can get you wet?

Be properly equipped. This is not just the 10 essentials but having proper
footwear (running shoes and light hikers are not proper footwear on snow),
traction devices such as microspikes, gaiters, multiple layers of clothing,
a shell that can protect you from wind and precipitation (including what is
falling off the trees), walking poles, a flashlight or headlamp and a
backup flashlight or headlamp. Have more than you think you will need. Plan
to stay warm, dry and mobile.

Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Since you
created a plan, share it with someone so they will know where you were
going and the details of your plan, including your contingencies. Let them
know when you expect to be back or check in so they will know when to call
for help if you don’t come back on time.

With a little foreknowledge you can be resilient in the woods this winter
and have an enjoyable trip.