Life Outdoors Magazine (Jan/Feb 2020)

Winter Hiking Safety Tips
Dress In Layers
Dressing in layers is one of the most important parts of hiking. Putting
base layers on first, followed by mid-weight, up to heavy layers. You
can easily remove layers when necessary as the temperatures change
throughout the day. Just make sure you have ample space to store your
shed layers on your hike, should you need to!
Plan Your Trail Well & Head Out Early
Winter days come to an end at early hours, so it’s essential to make sure
you allow yourself ample time to complete your trail before the sun goes
down. If you’re a beginner hiking enthusiast, it’s best to start small.
Remember that you are hiking in the wild outdoors, and nature can be
very unpredictable. With proper planning, allowing for ample time to
complete the trail, along with extra time for nature’s unpredictability,
sightseeing, and rests, you should be set for a day of enchanting
exploration!
As with any other outdoor winter activity, safety
should be a prime concern when it comes to hiking
off into the cold winter woods. Regardless of your
training and preparation tactics, make sure always
to check the weather and know you have all of the
necessary elements to keep you safe and warm in
any possible condition!
Winter
Hiking Gear
Base Layer Top
Smartwool Merino
250 1/4-Zip
$105.00
www.rei.com
Outer Layer
Patagonia
Women’s Nano
Puff Hoody
$249.00
www.patagonia.com
Back Pack
The North Face
Forecaster 35
Pack
$189.00
www.thenorthface.com
Be Prepared For The Unpredictable
Since you are heading out into the wild, being prepared for the
unpredictable is always very important. Make sure you have a small first
aid kit, a printed map of your tail, a compass, hand-warming packets,
and a headlamp. Always remember to stay in groups, or use a buddy
system on your hike. Safety in numbers in the wilderness is vital in case
of an emergency.
Check The Weather Before You Go
Make sure always to check the current weather updates for possible
adverse conditions or ones that could alter your trip. The weather
is a very unpredictable thing, but if you are fully prepared for the
possibilities, your chances of getting caught out in a storm are a lot less
likely!
Get By With A Little Help From Your Friends
Hiking is a great way to bond with your friends and share the beauty
that is held within the amazing mysteries of nature. Having friends
along for the hike is not only a great way to bond and make lifelong
memories, but it’s also a great way to stay safe. As we said earlier, safety
in numbers is an important factor in hiking!
Don’t Push Your Limits
Should you come to a point in your hike where you don’t feel
comfortable or experienced enough to continue over your pre-chosen
path, don’t be afraid to turn around or find a safer route. Even legendary
mountaineer Ed Viesturs (who has climbed every single 8,000-meter
peak in the world) once said, “Getting to the top is optional, getting
down is mandatory.” The mountains have been there for more than our
lifetime, and they will certainly be for a lifetime more to come. Take
your hike in stride and stay safe without pushing your limits.
Pack A Snack!
Always make sure to pack high protein snacks and water in your pack.
When hiking out in the wild, your body needs energy. Snacks that
are high in protein and staying hydrated can keep you going strong
throughout the day.
58 Life Outdoors Magazine
Snack Bar
Honey
Stinger
Cracker N’
Nut Butter
Snack Bar
$2.19 each
www.thefeed.com
Hiking Boots
Columbia Bugaboot Plus IV
$145.00
www.columbia.com
Snacks
SKOUT Organic Roasted
Pumpkin Seeds with Cane
Sugar & Cinnamon $23.95
www.amazon.com
Base Layer
Bottom
Smartwool
Merino 150
Long Underwear
Bottoms
$80.00
www.rei.com
Hat
Salty Dog Beanie
$26.00
www.thenorthface.com
Jerky
Chomps Trial
Pack
$19.99
www.chomps.com
Snacks
Bear Naked
Trail Mix &
Dark Chocolate
Bites $3.99
www.target.com
Socks
Ice Extreme Cold
Territory Military
Boot Socks
$23.95
www.covertthreads.com
LifeOutdoorsMagazine.com
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