Cold Winter Adventures

To explore the winter wonderlands of Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand or Ladakh one must gear up with the appropriate equipment. There are a myriad of both beauty and danger when you're not prepared. Although this isn't a place that we are able to survive in, it is but with the proper gear and the right knowledge, we can survive even in the harshest conditions.

Winter treks can be challenging and gratifying. Lots of people trek & walk in summer, however getting out in the frigid winter air and snow requires both preparation and commitment.

What is the reason for Winter Adventures?

There are many advantages of a winter trek.

Fewer Crowds - Most people are campers in fair weather so you'll be able to pick of all the prime locations.

Unlimited Calories - You need consume a large amount of food in order to stay warm in the winter, which is why high-calorie foods, chocolate, and hot beverages are all available.

 

No Bugs - Instead of being eaten alive by insects, you're free of bugs when the ground is covered in snow. This alone makes it worth it.

Lesser Wildlife - The winter months is when our furry friends are taking an extremely long nap, so bears and other wildlife are not an issue.

Walking on Water Winter is the only season you can actually take a walk in water. Ice-covered lakes are a part of your journey, however, you must be aware of the safety guidelines below.

Winter Trekking Apparel Layering

When you're dressing for cold, you're best off picking multiple layers, rather than one heavy one. It will be warmer and more flexible in adjusting the amount of clothing you wear based on your level of activity. Begin by putting on a wicking base layer of synthetic fabric or merino Wool. Add as many insulating layers as necessary and finally wrap it all in an outer shell that cuts the wind and prevent snow from getting in the way of you.

Manage Your Moisture with Merino thermal baselayers on top and bottom. Merino wool blend fabrics absorb sweat and regulate body temperature. For the lower part of your body, a pant with a fleece liner or softshell pant with reinforced knees , and then butt over top layer. This provides enough weather protection as well as warmth for nearly any temperature. On the upper part of my body, a light fleece vest with a windfront and Gore-Tex outer shell keeps me warm in the hottest temperatures, even when I am moving. It's better to stay a bit cooler than it is to be soaked from sweat. I have a down puffy jacket in your pack to wear when you stop to rest to prevent from getting cold once you've stopped moving. It is recommended to carry an additional fleece jacket to wear over the shell if temperatures aren't cold enough.

Begin Cool - When you're hiking, you'll benefit from starting off a little cool as this can help you keep from sweating while you warm up. If you're hot enough even when you're not moving you will very quickly overheat and sweat, particularly when going in deep snow or climbing uphill.

Guard Your Extremities Your hands and head are required to be protected from elements too therefore, you must carry a variety of options based on your work output and the conditions. I carry a lightly insulated hand glove for my work and shell glove as well as an additional pair of gauntlet-style super warm mitts. I also carry an additional glove with a liner for an extra pair to sleep in the event of being particularly cold.

To protect your head, wear an easy beanie, the thermal headband that protects the ears, as well as the balaclava.

 

How to Stay Dry

Dryness is the first step to staying warm in the winter months. Pay attention to your temperature and take off your layers before you start to get sweaty.

When you expect to see an abundance of snow falling make sure to keep your head covered so you don't lose your hair as this will take a long time to dry and can lose much of the heat that is lost out of your body. Use a camping towel to dry your head as well as any other parts of your body that have become wet, so that you don't become cold due to evaporation.

Make sure you have a spare set dry clothing including socks and base layers to ensure you can change into if you end up getting wet from sweat or any other external moisture, like snow or falling through ice. Store these clothes in an waterproof bag to keep the clothes from getting wet.

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