Cold Winter Adventures

To experience the winter wonderlands of Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand or Ladakh you must be equipped with the proper equipment. There are a myriad of both beauty and danger if you are ill-prepared. While this isn't an environment we can survive in naked, with the right gear and skills, we can succeed even in extreme conditions.

Winter treks are be both difficult and satisfying. A lot of people walk and walk in summer, however taking a hike in the winter cold and snow demands both preparation and commitment.

Why Winter Adventures?

There are many advantages of embarking on a winter trek.

Fewer Crowds - Most people are campers who enjoy fair weather, so you'll have the chance to choose of all the prime spots.

Unlimited Calories - You need to eat plenty of food to keep warm in the winter, which is why high-calorie snacks, chocolate, and hot drinks are always available.

 

No bugs - Instead of being eaten alive by insects, you're free of bugs as the earth is covered with snow. That alone is reason enough to consider it.

Lesser Wildlife - Winter's cold and snowy days find our furry friends taking a very long nap so animals like bears is not a problem.

Walking on Water - In winter, it is the one season that you can walk on water. Frozen lakes can be part of your route but make sure you read the safety precautions listed below.

Winter Trekking Apparel Layering

When you're dressing for cold, you're best off choosing multiple layers rather than just one heavy layer. It's warmer and more flexible in adjusting the amount of clothes you wear based on the intensity of your activities. Start with a wicking layer of synthetic material , or merino wool. Add as many insulating layers as necessary and finally wrap it all in an outer shell that cuts the wind and keep snow off of you.

Control Your Moisture - Use merino thermal baselayers top and bottom. Merino wool blend fabrics absorb sweat and regulate body temperature. On the lower body, wear a pant lined with fleece or a softshell pant that has reinforced knees and butt over that base layer. This provides enough weather protection and warmth for just about any temperature. On the upper part of my body it is a light fleece jacket with a wind-front and Gore-Tex outer shell will keep me warm in all temperatures while moving. It is better to be a tiny bit more comfortable than get wet from sweat. I carry a down puffy jacket in your pack to put on when stopping for a break , to prevent from becoming cold once you've stopped moving. There is an additional fleece jacket to wear over the shell when temperatures are cold enough.

Start off cool - If you're hiking, you'll benefit from starting by being a bit cool. This will help keep you from sweating as you warm up. If you're hot enough when you aren't moving you'll soon overheat and sweat more, especially when you are hiking in snowy conditions or uphill.

Make sure you protect your extremities Your hands and your head need to be protected from elements too therefore, you must carry a variety of options depending on your job's demands and the conditions. I keep a lightly insulated working glove and shell gloves, as well as an additional pair of gauntlet style warm mitts. I will also have a lighter liner glove in my bag as a backup and for sleeping in when it's particularly cold.

For your head, carry your head in a comfortable beanie. You can also wear an insulated headband that covers the ears, as well as the balaclava.

Staying Dry

The first step in staying warm in the frigid winter weather. Be sure to pay attention to your heat levels and remove layers prior to when you start to get sweaty.

If you're expecting to see lots of snow falling make sure to protect your head with a scarf so you don't end up with wet hair. This will take a long time to dry, and it can also lose a lot of heat out of your body. Bring a tent towel to dry your head and other areas that have gotten wet so you don't become cold due to evaporation.

Have a spare set dry clothing including socks and base layers, so you can change into if you do get wet due to sweat or other external moisture such as snow or falling through ice. Place these clothes in an airtight bag to prevent them from becoming wet.

Trekking & hiking accessories to keep you protected from wind-chill and fierce weather conditions.