Prepare your food
Food is a very big part of your hiking trip regardless of the season. But there are more things to consider when packing food for the winter. I usually feel like I’m one of those animals hibernating when gathering my food. However, bringing the right food benefits me all the time.
Snacks
This may be the time when you can indulge yourself with food and not feel bad about it. Hiking in winter burns more calories than in any other season. When taking winter hikes, I make sure to bring the foods that I truly love because most of the time, I just have to eat.
Winter Trick: Bring easily packed and easily consumable foods that don’t easily harden or freeze in the cold temperature of winter. You might consume more energy trying to bite into energy bars than the calories you get from it when it freezes. Remember that it’s best to keep eating while moving as stopping will only make you feel cold.
Meals
It’s best to bring warm food with you on a snowy hike. This can help you keep warm and fuel you to keep on moving. The food can turn cold along the way though. So if you want to always have hot food, keep your cooking gear with you.
Winter Trick: There are meals to which you can just add water. You need to save energy as much as possible and working on a complicated meal can drain you. Choose a recipe that can be easily prepared yet still remain appetizing. Check out this post to see more.
Prepare your survival gears
Whether the weather changes suddenly and you need to camp for the night or you may just want to experience the night in the snowy wilderness, it’s best to prepare the following:
Sleeping Gears
This includes your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Your tent, just like your shell, should be waterproof and strong enough to stand against the harsh conditions of winter. However, if you’re not sure about your tent, don’t fret. Just visit my post and you’ll have your tent fit for camping.
Winter Trick: Just like most of the gear listed, keep your sleeping gear lightweight without sacrificing quality and the heat it can give you. If you have damp clothing, or you want to have warm clothing the next morning, keep your clothes near your sleeping bag when you sleep.
The Essentials
Keep these things close whether there’s an emergency or not. These will help you in circumstances you’ll encounter during the trip.
Maps, compass, and whistle: Having these is very important so you’ll have a way to find your back to the right trail. And the whistle, for when you need to attract attention to emergency situations.
First Aid and Hygiene Kit: I always carry these in my backpack these kits. As a frequent camper, I have witnessed and experienced the importance of these things. And I believe you can picture them as well.
Tools and Repair Gear supplies: Got something to fix? Not a problem if you have these things ready. Just like in any other season, winter hiking should not be a source of stress but a source of beautiful memories.
Winter Trick: You may choose to leave some of the things listed here. Just keep track of the time when hiking. It’s best to start early and end before the sun sets if you only plan to have a day hike so you have enough light to finish your hike.
Now take out your hiking gear, and start planning for a winter wonderland hike with these hacks.
