[at-l] Near-Winter hiking, was Winter Hiking

[jbryankramer@msn.com (J Bryan Kramer)]

One thing always to keep in your mind while winter hiking is that it can get
dangerous unpredictably and rapidly. The case of the fellow up in the whites
should be a warning that cold weather hiking can turn deadly.

This is not to say that you shouldn't do it but you must pay close attention
to what your body is telling you. Your toes are cold all day? Think
frostbite before its too late. You start shivering, stop and set up your
tent and climb in your bag to warm up.

In clear cold weather dehydration can be a problem too, you need to drink
plenty of fluids. Another trick is if your hands start getting cold, despite
wearing gloves then use some spare socks over your hands. In higher
altitudes sunburn is a real problem on snowpack.

Bryan

"Si vis pacem para bellum"

> Winter hiking is different than the other three seasons. You will not get
> away with a seventeen pound pack so get used to the idea of
> having to add a
> few pounds to ensure not only warmth, but survival. My summer
> pack weight is
> about twenty pounds more or less, up to 27 for late fall, and 45
> for winter.