Hiking in a snowy landscape is a balm for the soul. But the winter season brings a number of pitfalls that are not to be reckoned with in summer. And since fortune favours the prepared, let's remind ourselves what we should not forget when hiking in winter.
Short day
While in summer we were used to sunlight from 6am to 8pm, in winter the 14-hour day is reduced to 9 hours. The daily space for longer hikes is thus considerably reduced. Keep this in mind when planning especially longer hikes. Prior knowledge of hiking in summer conditions is invaluable and a joker up your sleeve in more challenging conditions.
When planning a winter hike, be sure to reasonable objectives and define fixed timewhen you have to turn around and start descending even if you have not reached your intended peak. The darkness will not catch you by surprise so easily. But of course, a headlamp in your backpack should be a must, along with working batteries and their backup.
Conditions in the mountains
When planning hikes, think about whether your intended the route follows the sunor is your planned trail hidden in the long winter shadows of the mountains. In addition to the thermal comfort of a hiker, you can experience diametrically different conditions on the trail. A pleasant snowy trail can often be covered with a layer of ice in shady places.
Check the condition of the footpaths with the area manager. In the High Tatras it is the TANAP Administration, web www.tanap.sk. Alerts on the page of the Mountain Rescue Service www.hzs.sk.
The basic thing is, of course, to verify weather forecast for mountains. Take due care when planning and also during the hike to frozen water bodies. If the ice cover on the water is not strong enough, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise, which in combination with the winter weather can be critical even if you manage to get out of the water.
Avalanche situation
Winter conditions in the mountains bring risk avalanches. Avalanches do not only threaten people who are on steep slopes. Hiking trails often intersect with avalanche paths, but an avalanche danger sign is not always commonplace in the mountains. Mountains bring risk, so improve your hike preparation by reading the avalanche danger report and apply it appropriately to your intended hike.
Where avalanches threaten, the holy avalanche trinity should not be missing: avalanche probe, shovel and search device.
The avalanche situation can be found at www.laviny.sk. If you are often in the mountains, you should not forget avalanche course.
Reliable navigation
But ice or snow is not the only problem. Strong winds can move tons of snow from windward to leeward slopes. This is also something to keep in mind. The trail doesn't always have to be traversed and clear. Visibility can also be a surprise in the mountains.
A common phenomenon is so-called whiteout, where you cannot see the difference between white terrain and sky due to wind, snow and/or clouds. Therefore, reliable navigation should be part of your equipment. Today we are enjoying the popularity of navigation apps on our mobile phones, but certainly don't rely on mobile phones alone. Their batteries have their limits, which you'll hit much sooner in cold weather than in summer. You certainly can't go wrong with a paper map and a buzzer, even if you run out of power from your power bank.
Let us know your plans and stay connected to civilisation
Telling home or friends about your plans, route and return time is a matter of course, even for the summer period. As long as you tell your loved ones about your hike during the hike, you'll be doing just fine. In case of problems, the situation is much easier to resolve.
Temperature and sunlight
The weather in the mountains changes frequently and quickly. In good weather you should expect much more intense sunlight in winter, so don't forget a good UV filter not only on your goggles, but also a strong factor sunscreen. Compared to summer, the sun not only reaches your body from above, but also by reflection from the snow cover.
Fluids and diet
Fluids and food are certainly part of the summer kit. What is the main difference from winter? In winter you don't walk on dry pavement, you often struggle in the snow, you sweat, you wear several layers, you are confronted with bad weather - whether it's the temperature or the wind. All of this causes a lot of energy expenditure, and with that comes energy and fluid replenishment. In winter, you'll appreciate a thermos. Stay hydrated! In addition to energy expenditure, your diet should also be easy-to-eat. How to explain this concept? Have you ever tried to bite into a honey-nut bar when it's minus 20 degrees? This is exactly what we are talking about. Choose a diet that you won't have problems with during heat extremes.
Clothing
Winter is also naturally associated with cold in the mountains. As the temperature changes throughout the day with the weather, sunshine and our activity, we also need our clothing to be flexible. Appropriately combined layers are essential:
- Base layerwhose role is primarily to provide moderate insulation, but mainly to wick away sweat. It is most often made of merino wool in winter.
- Insulating layer - fleece layer or softshell - its role is a slight additional insulation and wind protection.
- Extra insulation - we use this layer on hikes when we are not moving. Since we don't create heat through activity, we need to avoid losing it unnecessarily. This layer is made up of down jacket or a jacket made of artificial filament such as primaloft.
- The last, but certainly not insignificant, layer is waterproof layerOften called hardshell - the hard material not only deflects wind, but also snow or rain will not penetrate through it. These jackets are made of membrane materials such as GORE-TEX, SYMPA-TEX or EVENT.
Not to be forgotten headgear. 30 percent of the heat escapes through the head. Think about this when it's cold and you don't want to lose heat, but also think about replacing a thick cap with a thin one or a neck warmer or buff scarf if you need to ventilate your head during higher activity. In bad weather, ski goggles are also useful on a hike, as well as keeping your head well covered, they also protect your eyes and sinuses from the wind.
From the waist down, waterproofs are suitable pants with ventilation. In bad weather they'll protect you, and in warmer weather you can open the vents on them. Again, we're talking about softshell or hardshell material. Underneath the trousers are underpants - again, mostly made up of merino wool. The trousers may have integrated gaiters against snow. If they don't have them, gaiters are another part of your kit.
A sturdy boot with a membrane and snow and waterproofing will not only help with the temperature, but also when the snow is harder and the trail needs a bit of a struggle. In harder conditions, the feet either chain or hiking cats, in deep snow snowshoes. Hiking sticks or chakan. With all the above mentioned equipment it is necessary to know how to handle, otherwise it can easily become dangerous for the hiker. Most winter hiking trails can be covered with hiking poles and crampons.
Throughout your hike, remember to constantly adjust your clothing to the conditions and your current thermal comfort. Always be prepared for weather deterioration with backup clothing in your backpack. I'd rather wear something extra than be freezing cold on a hike thinking about a warm jacket locked away in my closet at home.
Always ready
A backpack should not only contain the standard equipment that we use on every hike. We should also be prepared for unexpected events. It should be a matter of course to have in your backpack all year round first aid kit. In case it is necessary to spend the night in the countryside, an excellent help is between - tarpaulin from which you can make a simple shelter. In winter it will help the most bivouac bag. Bivouac bags today come in a variety of forms, from the more massive sleeping bag-like and durable bags to ultra-lightweight rubberised thermofoils in the shape of a single or double sleeping bag, which take up minimal space in your backpack, but the added value in bad weather is invaluable.
Of course there should be a means to start a fire, extra food, extra liquids and extra layers of clothing or a signal whistle in case of an accident.
Don't forget the fuse
Visiting the mountains also involves the risk of a possible accident. Do not forget that the Mountain Rescue Service charges a fee. If you do not have a special insurance for mountainsyou may have an unpleasant bill waiting for you at home.
Tips for safe winter hiking have been prepared by František Mrázik, chairman of the Tatra Mountain Volunteer Service and international mountain guide of UIMLA.
Discover with us the charming winter in the Prešov region.
