Cold Winter Adventures

To experience the winter wonderlands like Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand or Ladakh one must gear up with the right equipment. It is a world of both beauty and danger if you are ill-prepared. While this isn't an environment one can live in without the right gear and the right knowledge, we can survive even in these extremities.

Winter treks are be both rewarding and challenging. Lots of people trek & hike during the summer months, but getting out in the frigid winter air and snow demands both planning and dedication.

Why Winter Adventures?

There are numerous benefits of taking on the winter trek.

Less Crowds - The majority of people are fair-weather campers so you will have the pick of all the prime locations.

Unlimited Calories - You have to eat plenty of food to stay warm in the winter months, so high-calorie foods, chocolate, as well as hot drinks are all available.

 

No Bugs - Instead of being eaten alive, you're safe from insects because the floor is covered in snow. This alone is enough to justify it.

Lesser Wildlife - Winter's cold and snowy days is when our furry friends are taking the longest nap possible, so the bear population and wildlife is not a problem.

Walking on Water Winter is the only season you're able to actually walk on water. The frozen lakes could be part of your journey, however you should be aware of the safety precautions outlined below.

Winter Trekking Apparel Layering

In the event of dressing for the cold you're best off selecting multiple layers instead of one heavy piece. It's more comfortable and will be easier to alter the amount of clothes you put on based on the intensity of your activities. Begin with a wicking base layer of synthetic fabric or merino Wool. Add as many insulating layers as necessary and finally cover it all with a shell that cut the wind and keep snow out of you.

Control Your Moisture - Use merino thermal baselayers top and bottom. Merino wool blend fabrics absorb sweat and regulate your body temperature. On the lower body, you can wear a pant lined with fleece or a softshell pant that has reinforced knees , and then butt over that base layer. This provides enough weather protection as well as warmth for nearly any temperature. On the upper body I wear a light fleece coat with a wind-front and Gore-Tex shells will keep me warm in the hottest temperatures, even when I am moving. It's best to be just a little bit warmer than to be soaked due to sweat. I carry a down puffy jacket in my bag to wear when you stop for a break , to prevent from getting cold when you've put down the hammer. There is an additional fleece jacket that you can layer over the shell in case temperatures aren't frigid enough.

Begin Cool - When you are hiking you will benefit from starting off with a cool temperature as it helps you avoid sweating while you warm up. If you're warm enough, even when you're not moving, you will very quickly overheat and start sweating, especially when going in deep snow or uphill.

Protect Your Extremities Hands and Heads need to be protected from elements too so be prepared with a range of options depending on your job's demands and the conditions. I keep a lightly insulated gloves for work, shell-like mitts and an extra pair of gauntlet-style warm gloves. I will also keep a lighter liner glove in my bag as an extra pair to sleep in if it is particularly cold.

To protect your head, wear the lightest beanie, a headband with a thermal design that covers the ears, as well as an ear splint.

How to Stay Dry

Being dry is the initial step to staying warm during the winter months. Make sure you pay attention to your heat levels and remove layers prior to when you begin to sweat.

If you're expecting to see the fall of snow, be sure to cover your head so that you don't lose your hair as this will take a long time to dry, and it can also lose plenty of heat off your body. Bring a tent towel to dry your hair and any other parts of your body that have been wet to ensure that you don't become cold because of the sweating.

Make sure you have a spare set dry clothes that include socks and base layers, so you can change into if you end up getting wet from sweat or external moisture like snow or falling through the ice. Keep these clothes in a waterproof bag to protect them from being wet.

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