Winter Hiking Tips

Winter Hiking Conditions in NJ:

• Check/post snow reports in our Forum

• NJ Snowfall/Snow Depth Maps

• Mid-Atlantic Snow Depth

• NWS Snow Spotter

• Snow Depth - shaded map

 

Dress in layers.

You can add and remove pieces as needed. Don't overlook packing a hat and gloves even in shoulder-seasons - they offer an easy way to control your temperature. Depending on the conditions you'll want:

• Bottom: moisture-wicking breathable shirt or thermal layer

• Mid: insulating layer like a fleece jacket

• Outer: water/wind proof layer

• Hat and gloves

• Decent boots and socks

Various layering items we use: REI OXT long-sleeved wicking tee, UnderArmour long-sleeve tee, UnderArmour bottoms; REI fleece jacket, PacTech packable wind/rain shell, Columbia Vertex jacket w/zip-out lining; EMS brand gloves, Mountain Hardwear Hat with ear flaps, Polar Buff headwear, Smartwool Socks.

Resist the tempation to dress too warmly. When you are shivering at the trailhead, you may think you need heavier stuff than you really do. You may be chilly for the first 15 minutes, but once you get moving you will warm up quickly. And if you will be doing a lot of uphill, you will heat up more than level hiking.

If you heat up too much and start sweating, you can risk hypothermia. With layers, you can remove a piece to cool down and dry out, then put it back on.

• Tip: If you tend to run cold and always find yourself shivering for the first 15 minutes of a hike... try jogging in place for a few seconds at the trailhead, or do a couple of jumping jacks to kick start your body a bit. Yes, you'll look stupid. But you won't be cold.

New Jersey gets varying amounts of snowfall... Northern Jersey usually gets the most and may have deeper snow and more ice than central or southern NJ.

Keep that in mind when choosing where to hike in the winter. We live in central NJ and will have no snow on the ground for weeks, or not have gotten any snowfall... but have headed north to the Gap only to find several inches of compacted, icy snow we weren't prepared for.

Now we always chuck our YakTrax in our winter get-out-and-go duffel, just in case. If it's snowed a lot and we don't feel like tramping through it, we head to south Jersey where they usually have less or no snow. (however, South Jersey is getting more snow in the 2009/10 season so far... so you never know)

Traction Aids/Winter Gear

• Yaktrax or Kahtoola MICROspikes can be helpful for traction in the snow. (YakTrax Pro with the strap over the foot is better; we have the original model which slips off sometimes)

• Snowshoes can be used for deeper snowy conditions; Crampons may be better in icy conditions.

• Gaiters can be worn around your lower leg and over your boot to keep deeper snow out and your pants from getting wet. Ones for snow are water repellant and usually go up above the calf. There are other lower models that are meant more for sandy/desert conditions.

• Trekking Poles add stability in slippery conditions. Even if you don't normally use them, you may want them for hiking in snow or ice.

Other winter hiking considerations/tips:

• Daylight hours are limited; know when sunset is. Start early and pack a headlamp in case you get caught out in darkness. A small, llightweight one can be had for $20-$30 and is easier to hike with than a flashlight. We have a little Petzl that barely weighs anything.

• Know and watch for signs of hypothermia.

• Tip: in under 20 degree weather try breathing in through your nose, out through your mouth to warm up the air before it gets into your system. More tips: Stay Comfortable in Cold Weather [Backpacker Mag, Oct 2009]