Four Reasons Why Winter Hiking in Colorado is Difficult

In this video I talk about the four reasons why winter hiking in Colorado is so difficult. Although winter hiking is a different beast, it can offer seclusion, new routes and even more beautiful views if you are prepared for the new challenges.
Check out my full write-up for more information about winter hiking in Colorado: www.thevirtualsherpa.com/four-...
Useful Links:
Colorado Avalanche Information Center: avalanche.state.co.us/
CalTopo (use slope angle shading filter): caltopo.com/map.html#ll=39.06...
The winter gear I use:
Yaktraks: amzn.to/2SCHJKr
Kahtoola Microspikes: amzn.to/31KwwM5
Hillsound Microspikes: amzn.to/3bv0b0b
Crampons: amzn.to/37kpzT7
Crampon Bag: amzn.to/37i7apV
La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men's): amzn.to/2wcdTFj
La Sportiva Trango Hiking Booths (Women's): amzn.to/2UJG9cA
La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots: amzn.to/3bu1lJp
Snowshoes (similar pair to what I have): amzn.to/2Hgx4jq
Affiliate links to these popular outdoor retailers.
REI: bit.ly/2NvaMAd
Moosejaw: bit.ly/2XCNBsz
Backcountry: bit.ly/2NBJ9FY
Steep & Cheap: bit.ly/32a8r11
Black Diamond: bit.ly/2qSBR5v
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting The Virtual Sherpa so I can continue to provide you with free content!
Want content early? FOLLOW Me!
INSTAGRAM: thevirtuals...
HIKING WEBSITE: thevirtualsherpa.com
FACEBOOK: / thevirtualsherpa

[@k311ydcart3r]

I do winter hiking and camping in Colorado, and your "four reasons" are spot-on. Good job.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Thanks Kelly, appreciate it.

[@mattfitzpatrick4008]

Planning on Quandary in about a week with a group of people. Last weekend's report on all trails sounded good. Hopefully it will be the same next weekend. Hope to train this weekend by doing the Manitou Incline and maybe a section of westbound Barr.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

peep this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXzRc2Nqdsx9gtEsi=p2DeU-hRZpZW6yfR

[@subienorris]

I hiked Humboldt in late October last year. Although it had been very dry in Denver, I was unprepared for the amount of snow near South Colony Lakes and these large patches of snow made hiking ten times more difficult. The slow going added at least 3 hours to the trip since we were slogging through snow and off the trail, and this took a lot of the fun away. It took my friend and I almost TEN hours from car to summit to car, and we were able to drive all the way to the trail head in my Forester the previous night. Give me summer conditions all day, every day!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Jonathan Norris haha yeah I hear your - lots of type 3 fun with winter hiking.

[@edwardmontoya5936]

Pike’s Peak is my favorite in the winter time! Take Barr Trail all the way up to the Timberline Shelter and work up to the gulley all the way up to the summit. Shaves a large distance since the switchbacks are nowhere to be found. And the folks at Barr Camp are super friendly!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Edward Montoya love the idea - May have to try it out this winter ❄️

[@Maxmilion6004]

Did you ever ski down the mountain?

[@avisekmaity4551]

I came across your channel recently. All of your works are very informative and useful. Keep up the good work!

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Avisek Maity thanks man, appreciate it 👍🏽

[@carriholzman2788]

Love watching your videos! We had to move away from Colorado, so watching your hikes keeps heart happy! Would love to see a winter hike.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

Carri Holzman thanks Carri, really appreciate it and glad it reminds you of CO! Hoping to get a few winter hikes in this year but always tough when my first winter love is snowboarding haha

[@JuanGomez-tr7pq]

Very informative

[@zhenrad]

I miss winter hiking already

[@russlehman2070]

Responding to the title before watching video. Off the top of my head: Cold, wind, snow, avalanche risk. After watching: One out of four, though the other three factors you list are pretty much a result of cold wind and snow (as, of course, is avalanche risk).

[@erbium4308]

You said the word “backcountry”, better start looking for a lawyer now xD

[@ski4life9]

Nah dude. Skis require way less physical exertion. Can cover way more distance with much more efficiency

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

100% but this is a video about hiking...

[@ski4life9]

@@TheVirtualSherpa I know but you said it adds weight and makes it harder. But that’s incorrect. Yes there’s weight associated with it. But the weight isn’t in the pack. But the weight is offset by the increased efficiency. And it’s still hiking my friend, just like snowshoeing is still hiking. Just adds efficiency for travel across snow

[@mickeybrumfield764]

I had 2 border collies and they used to love hiking anytime but especially loved hiking in the winter guess you would think it was ok to take a dog.

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

mickey brumfield Love winter for dogs, they seem to have more fun than humans most of the time 😂

[@russlehman2070]

There's a lot of variation among dogs in coat and cold tolerance. Larger dogs with a thick undercoat tolerate cold very well. Breeds that were originally sled dogs, like huskies and malemutes will likely do better in winter than in summer. Smaller dogs, and dogs without a good, insulating under coat often don't tolerate cold well at all.

[@simonjones7674]

Difference in winter hiking and needing a rope. Living in the mountains of Colorado I would disagree with half of this video.

[@dancer1]

It’s not hard

[@TheVirtualSherpa]

That’s what she said.

[@dancer1]

@@TheVirtualSherpa bro have some respect 😂