This one’s for the adventure lovers who don’t let harsh weather conditions subdue their love for outdoors. There are people who love climbing a frozen waterfall when the temperatures are extremely chilly. A lot of people love hiking during winter, when the mountains are covered with thick white sheets of snow.  In order to enjoy winter hiking, first of all, you need to be prepared. You need to have the appropriate gear at your disposal along with adequate knowledge in order to ensure your safety.

Here’s how you can prepare for a nice winter hiking exercise:

Keep an Eye on the Weather

This is perhaps the most important thing you need to consider before planning the hike. You’d certainly change your plans if there was a storm or an avalanche on the horizon. Nature is an indomitable force and can add unexpected twists and turns out of nowhere. You don’t need to push yourself too hard by going out there if the odds aren’t in your favour.

Bringing Appropriate Gear is a Must

You can’t go out in the field and bat if you don’t have your shin guards and chest guard. It’s always good to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. Bring appropriate gear such as a fully charged headlamp, an extra pullover and a pair of socks would always come in handy. Other things you need to keep can include: snacks rich in protein, water (A higher quantity than usual), avalanche equipment, a shovel, a fully charged phone along with a spare battery, a lip balm and sunscreen, a Swiss army knife, a lighter, and a compass.

Also, pack a couple of thermoses full of hot cocoa or tea to keep you up and running. Use this time to rest for a while, having a hot beverage.

Nothing can beat experience and knowledge

Hiking is an exciting activity, but that doesn’t mean it is everybody’s cup of tea. Make sure you have a couple of experienced people with you. You also need to make sure that these people are there to save you if things turn murky.

Layers are your best friend

When you're packing for your trip, it can be hard to predict what kind of temperatures you're going to face, but it's better to be too hot than too cold, so a safe bet is to prepare for the worst. Just in case you get caught out by unexpected weather you need to have spare clothing because the temperature can be highly unpredictable at times.

Winter Hiking Footwear is a Must

You must possess appropriate winter hiking footwear that is waterproof and well insulated. It will help your feet to counter several frosty surprises during the course of the day. Inside the boot, you’d need a warm and cozy winter sock. You might want to consider a sock made of wool.

Keep an Eye on Every Single Thing

You burn a greater amount of energy during the winter. So, there’s every possibility that fatigue might end up getting the better of you. Running out of daylight is a serious issue that must also be taken into consideration. While checking the weather before the hike, check the sunrise as well as the sunset times in order to be sure of how much sunlight you’ll have. Additionally, it would be great if you could undertake some research beforehand; if you find that the route is particularly long and uneven, then you'll know not to attempt it in a single day.

So, to Top it All

It’s always a good idea to review your plans one last time before you go hiking. Make sure all your gear is working properly. You also need to make sure that essentials such as first aid kits and waterproof matches have been packed. Most importantly, let someone know where you’re going so that they can know you are safe.