Welcome back. Hopefully you have already read our winter prep post and today we're going to share with you our favorite tips and advice we've learned from our past winter hiking and backpacking trips.

If you haven't already read that post pr you’ve stumbled upon this, check out our previous post with all the information of what you need to know to hike in the winter and then come back here for extra tips and tricks.

Hiking in the winter is a completely different animal than hiking in summer or shoulder . Not only does it require additional clothing and specialized gear It also adds need for an extra level of. Preparation and research. Since there's a lot of information we're going to break it down into 3 categories.

• The first category is going to be general tips we have found beneficial and tips pertaining specifically to gear,

• The 2nd is tips for during your hike.

• And the final category will be for camping and backpacking trip tips.

So as always we're going to start off by making sure we have the 10 essentials and if you need to learn what these are read post number 2. Don't move on at all here until you're familiar with the 10 essentials and the LNT principles.

General Tips During Winter Hikes & Winter Gear:

• Tip number one. Is give yourself plenty of time. Hiking in the winter requires more energy. And extra time. You're going to be stopping for frequent breaks to add a layer or delayer, or if you need time to snack. Plus, the days are shorter so there's less daylight in the winter, make sure you start early to give yourself plenty of time.

• Tip number two. do plenty of research on the trail conditions! Make sure you. Research what the conditions have been a couple of days, even a week leading up to your hike. Sometimes there's been heavy snowfall. Sometimes there's been a thaw or warm spell and some rain. So this way, you'll know if you'll be tackling heavy snow, in which case you'll be breaking trail Which will require significantly more energy. Or if there's been a thaw and refreeze , you'll have heavier ice conditions. as always, check the weather for the day that you're going to be planning your hike So you're prepared with proper layers. If it's going to be super cold, you'll have some extra warm clothing. If it's going to be exceptionally windy or snowing, make sure you have your outer layers so that it protects you from getting wet.

• Tip number three is make sure you have the proper additional gear for winter hiking and do NOT cheap out on this. Gear will literally save your life. That's going to require spikes for the ice or snowshoes for deep snow. You can choose to use crampons, but if so, make sure that you know how to use them safely. using them to incorrectly arrest an uncontrolled slide can break an ankle! Some people carry an ice ax, if you bring one along with you, please make sure you know how to properly use it. And as with all of our hikes We strongly suggest trekking poles and remember to change out the tips with the snow baskets that come with them, so your poles don't sink deep into the snow, making more work for you. Believe me when I say you'll be regretting this one if you forget.!

• Tip number 4 is test ALL YOU GEAR! Before heading out! This is a really important one. You want to minimize the time that you're stopped dealing with or adjusting your gear. You can get cold very quickly.

• Tip Number 5 is START COOLER THAN COMFORTABLE You're going to be working really hard, and you'll warm up very quickly. Don't start your hike all bundled up because you'll find yourself sweating almost immediately. Your main goal throughout the day. Is to keep yourself from getting wet at all costs. The best way to combat sweating is to layer properly. We discussed proper layers in detail in our last post but make sure to have it all packed This way you can add or shed layers as needed. And when you're choosing your base layers, you're going to want things form fitting but not tight. You don’t want to restrict blood flowing to your extremities.  It might also be a good idea to try a few winter hikes on smaller mountains. Ones that won't be as time-consuming as longer trips. That way you can try out your layers, see what works for you. See what layers keep you warm. See what layers were too hot. And if you were sweating too often, so that you're prepared for the longer trips.

• Tip 6 electronics die quickly in the cold. Make sure you have all electronics charged fully before you set out, have a backup device and batteries, or more if you're hiking multiple days. Keep everything stored as close to your body as possible to keep them warm. Switch to lithium batteries which hold up much better in the cold that alkaline batteries do.

• Tip 7 know the signs of hypothermia. It can happen fast in the cold so don't ignore it. If you or anyone in your group starts showing signs of hypothermia, stop immediately an address it. It won;t get better on its own or go away with time. It will only get worse.

• Tip 8 is get yourself a winter pack. You’re going to need more gear so that's going to require a bigger pack. Now if you already hike with a large enough pack that’s great. But if you're like us and prefer to hike lighter in the summer months you’ll need to upsize. Your winter pack needs to be durable enough not to get cut by the sharp edges of your crampons and snowshoes when you’re carrying them on your pack. make sure to have pack covers to keep them dry if it's raining. Many packs come with covers, but you can easily purchase one on amazon or at any place that sells packs. Just make sure you buy the correct size. To be honest a good old garbage bag will also do the trick.

• Tip 9 Consider using a tracking monitor or a GPS system and know how to use it. We have a garment messenger that we bring with us. make sure someone has your trip itinerary and when to expect to hear from you

Tips for During Your Hike:

• Number 1 snack and drink often Since winter hiking burns extra calories. You.ve got to fuel that furnace. Your body is burning calories, just to keep you warm. So, make sure you have extra snacks, to replenish that energy. also try to make sure you're keeping your snacks warm. My favorite are honey stingers. And they get quite hard when it's very cold. Bars and liquid energy gels. also tend to freeze. So, keep that in mind, keep them tucked into your pack and insulated to keep them warm. Or consider snacks that won't freeze.

Also speaking about things, freezing, your water will freeze. Try to keep your water in something warm. We carry insulated cases for our Nalgene bottles. We do not use water bladders in the winter because they freeze even with those insulated pouches. If you're not out on a very cold day or only out for a short hike you might be able to get away with your bladder if you start with hot water. Keep the hose tucked into your jacket and blow air back into the bladder each time you use it. The back blowing is to clear your hose and mouthpiece because the hose will freeze quickly and then there’s no way to get the water out. Unless it's a warm sunny day in the winter, we don't carry a bladder, we use Nalgene bottles. We fill them with boiling water, one goes. In the insulated case that goes on our pack and other water bottles get put into a large wool sock and put in the center of our pack to keep them warm and insulated.

****Another tip for water is to carry your water bottle upside down in those storage containers, because the idea is. Water freezes from the top first. So if you. Keep your water bottle upside down, the bottom will freeze. And then when you turn it right side up, you still have drinkable water at the top of the bottle. We don’t generally bring a water filter on winter backpacking trips as most of the water we use gets boiled first. keep in mind if you DO bring a filter they are no good once they freeze. Trying to push ice crystals through a filter is a great way to ruin a filter. I will bring a steripen if we have to refill on the trail during day hikes.

• Tip 2 make sure to bring extra gloves, hat and socks and keep them easily accessible. for a quick change if needed

• Tip 3 bring a seat or pad for breaks and snack time xped makes a snifty little seat pad

• Tip 4 goggles for the summit to protect your eyes against snow and heavy winds.

• Tip 5 is to use oven roaster bags, or actual vapor barrier socks. We use the roaster bags as they’re cheap and don’t’ effect the fit of your boots. There’s 2 ways that these can be used. As an initial vapor barrier, you’d put them over a liner sock and then put your foot into your regular sock and boot. This keeps any sweat from transferring to your sock and boot, keeping it dry for the next day. Another way to use them is in the event that your boots wet through, or you go into water over the top of your boots. After you change out of the wet socks you can use the bags to keep your feet and socks dry from the wet boots

Tips for Backpacking Trips:

• Tip 1 you need 4 season gear, and that gear should be rated for 10 degrees cooler than the lowest temp you think you might be encountering.

• Tip 2 make sure you're setting up camp in a safe and legal camping spot. Now we're not at high risks for avalanches in the ADK but it can happen to check you're in a safe enough spot you don’t want to be camped below a slide

• Tip 3 pack down the area with your boots or snowshoes before you set up ypour footprint and tent. This will help keep the snow from melting oddly as you sleep and making it quite uncomfortable.

• Tip 4 bigger stakes for snow or you can use plastic grocery bags filled with snow and buried to tie down your tent. Just make absolutely certain to pack them out when you break camp.

• Tip 5 hang up spikes and any gear that's wont freeze to dry overnight on trees and store your snowshoes with the tips up so if it snows overnight, they won’t be buried under snow in the morning.

• Tip 6 bring a backup sleeping pad, in your inflatable mats pop. Full disclosure, we don’t do this, we just bring a repair kit. But we have seen this recommended

• Tip 7 fill all floor space in your tent. empty space will just waste heat inside. We keep our packs in the vestibule and bring our boots inside the tent and poot foot warmers in the boots overnight. Theres nothing worse than trying to shove your foot into a frozen boot in the morning!

• Tip 8 bring clothes specifically to sleep in, we use base layers under a second layer and our puffer jacket if need be. You don’t want to sleep in clothes that may have gotten wet during your hike.

• Tip 9 get yourself warm before you get into bed. It’s much easier for your sleeping system to KEEP you warm rather than trying to warm you from an already freezing cold place. So jump around, do some high knees or burpees and then jump right into bed.

• Tip 10 pee before you go to bed and anytime you wake up overnight don’t fight the urge because you' won’t sleep well and your body will waste more energy trying not to pee than if you just get it over with.

• Tip 11 bring camp slippers that you can sleep in. We have insulated booties with a waterproof tough sole that you can step right out onto the snow and make a quick run to the toilet overnight if need be. Then they can just slide right into bed without your feet getting cold.

• Tip 12 use white gas stove for winter cooking. Fuel canisters don’t work well when the temps get too far below freezing. Wrap your fuel bottle with duct tape so your hands don't get frostbitten. And when your melting snow start with a small amount of snow first, so you don’t scorch the pan.

• Tip 13 is anytime you're camping overnight and not just specifically for winter but remember where you leave your bear canister. Even though they are not requirement for the winter season If you're in a heavily used area remember most of us have the same DEC advised canister and they all look the same. Make yours stand out. We have some of our very favorite stickers on ours!

• Tip 14 store your electronics in an insulated bag over night and try to keep that bag in your sleeping bag near your torso to stay even warmer, so they don’t freeze or drain in the cold

• Final tip for backpacking is drop a pin on your phone of where your camp is when you set out for your hike. You'll most likely be coming back in the dark and it'll be easier to find.

 To wrap up, be smart about your choices. And remember to be flexible. The days are shorter, the conditions are tougher. Be ready to alter your plan if need be. Winter hiking takes a toll onyou. Know when you've reached your limits and don't be afraid to call it. Set a turn around time and stick to it. Don't continue to tough it out if you think youre in over your head. You can always come back another time. The mountains will allow you to give them another shot. I prom ise you th at.

Oh yeah,  And one bonus tip that I do like to recommend. Don't forget about your car, the conditions of where you park your car might be pretty different from when you returned to your car. When you park back into the spot. It may be difficult to back out if its been snowing while you were gone. We've gotten back from a hike and our car has been buried under. about six inches of snow that we found it very difficult. To drive the car out of.

Keep a shovel and ice scraper in the car. Should we need to dig out and a good option is always to have jumper cables so that you're prepared in case your battery should die. We always make sure that we have plenty of gas to get to. And from the trail and take notice where the nearest gas station will be when youre done. There rends to be less options open during the winter. And on that note we also keep a dry pair of clothes and towels in the car. Dependong on your vehicle you may want snow tires

Most importantly, enjoy it.

Hiking in the winter has this other worldly magical feel when you get to the summit of the top of these mountains. It's simply beautiful.

And if you prepare properly, you'll have an experience that will have you hooked.