What Should I Wear & What Hiking Gear Should I Bring WINTER HIKING? | WINTER HIKING GEAR + Tips

[@TheHungryHiker]

One of the MANY reasons why I love winter hiking is because it extends my hiking season, making it so I can hike year-round. I also love that winter hiking is a full body workout, helping me to stay in shape for the upcoming backpacking season. Plus, there’s less crowds out on trail during the winter and there’s no bugs! What’s your favorite thing about winter hiking? Tell me in the comments below.

[@candacetoms4927]

I’m having so much fun getting out on trail this winter, and all of the credit goes to you and The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System. The experience and information you share is SO valuable. It’s such a rewarding feeling to be able to rely on my own abilities and know that I am capable of taking care of myself and even helping others out on trail, and now I am getting to extend that through the winter. No more waiting for better weather, or for the snow to melt!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love this so much Candace and am so excited to be a part of your hiking and backpacking journey! I'm so happy that you've been having fun and getting so much out of The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System. Thank you for sharing!! :)

[@queenanne94101]

…and you were a rockstar navigator at the Butte! So excited to winter backpack now, too. Hope to see you on another hike again soon!

[@TheHungryHiker]

@@queenanne94101 Yes, Candace certainly was a rockstar navigator on our Cedar Butte winter hike!! Excited to get back out on trail with both of you ladies again soon!!

[@Topo.On.Trail1]

100% agreed! Who knew when we started this journey, just how many doors... or trails, would be open to us!

[@salumsden]

I learned so much, thank you. (And I'm an experienced hiker). This should be required watching for anyone who wants to attempt a winter hike. World class.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Wow! Thank you for this! I know when I first started hiking, winter hiking really intimidated me. This is why I’m all about creating resources that will not only help remove the intimidation of getting outdoors, but also help folks plan for a fun and safe trip while they’re out there. Thanks for watching! 😀

[@drewyager4020]

There is also a synthetic sock base layer that works really well on the coldest days. Double layering socks is magical

[@TheHungryHiker]

Great tip!

[@labellaescrima1996]

I love my injinji toe socks, love to wear them and a nice warm wool pair of sock over them, preferably Smartwool, Wigwam, Icebreaker, never froze my toes.

[@drewyager4020]

@@labellaescrima1996 that’s the way to do it. Perfect

[@rickkaylor8554]

Really good video with great advice. I live in southern California so winter hiking is lovely. Hypothermia is no fun. Some friends and I were hiking the beginning of the John Muir trail in Yosemite when I was in my 20s. It rained on us and then the temperature dropped below freezing. It started snowing and all of our clothes froze. We all started getting super cold and shivering violently. After a while we started getting sleepy and stopped shivering. This is when you are really in the critically dangerous zone. We realized what was happening so the first place we found to pitch our tent we got in, got into dry clothes and cooked some hot drinks and food. From then on we were safe. We called off the rest of the trip because there was just too much snow for hiking. We camped in Yosemite valley at a regular car camp in the snow. We were the only campers. It was great fun and we learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes you have to abort a trip to be safe.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yikes! What a crazy experience, but it sounds like you guys learned some valuable lessons while you were out there. I agree with you - sometimes the best (and most important) decision is to know when to call a hike or backpacking trip and turn around. Live to hike/backpack another day! The trail will always be there waiting for your return. Thank you for sharing your story!!

[@fallingthroughclouds]

Thank u. I just moved to Montana and intend to do a lot of winter hiking. Which is new to me. So. Ur recommendations r very appreciated

[@TheHungryHiker]

Awesome! Where in Montana did you move to? The snow is starting to fly up in our nearby mountains here in Missoula. Hope you have an amazing winter full of hiking.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Good Morning .. from a 'Baby Boomer South African currently living in Switzerland .. 👍👍👍 .. now that was impressive, most informative and will certainly be of benefit to anyone taking note. 72 summers under the bridge, 'kaput' knees 🙄 and hip joints now starting to feel their mileage 😏, any distance hiking is now, for me, a fond memory. However, I still Nordic Walk regularly (this morning's session, -10°C and yes, 'bold and cold' .. with backup fleece top, neck warmer, beanie and gloves in a lightweight 'Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Daypack 22 litre) .. regularly and living adjacent to a forest, daily walks therein are a given. Your presentation covered about all that I can imagine; if I may please, from own experience and that of others, reinforce the following .. 1. NAVIGATION: * Carry a Compass! Electronics can (and will eventually) fail. * Know what is NSEW of you. Research the Area beforehand and what Major Features lie in each direction and distances. Rivers, Hills, Roads, Identifiable Trails, etc, etc. Handy if one has to 'escape'. * Know where you are .. even if you step off the trail to 'take a leak' / whatever .. and in what direction, NSEW. The story of the Lady on the Appalachian (I think?) who went off trail momentarily for fore-mentioned purpose, lost her sense of direction and got lost. She survived a month approximately and kept a diary up to until her demise. Her body, camp and tent were eventually found about one mile only (?) from the trail. Gut-wrenching even now when I think about it .. and absolutely unnecessary! 2. TURNAROUND Absolutely! Know when to 'bail' and stick to it no matter what! Some years back, the experienced Alpinist (his name escapes me) who 'bailed' Everest 100 vertical metres below the Summit because he had reached his pre-determined turnaround time, comes to mind. He survived (others did not) and succesfully summited the following year. * Credit to Susanne Williams for the following .. THE 70% RULE. Always keep '30% in reserve' .. never 'push the limit'. You never know when that reserve will be needed. There .. 'useless information' over 🙄😏. I'm certain that you have covered this somewhere .. but if at least one reader can benefit, then good 👍. All power to those wanting to get out there .. DO IT! Planning beforehand helps somewhat 😊. Once again, a good share .. thanks. Take care ..

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for the reinforcement reminders. :)

[@thomasmusso1147]

@@TheHungryHiker 👍

[@heatherann4390]

I prefer hiking in the winter, mainly because it's simply beautiful, I don't get so hot and sweaty, and no bugs to drive you crazy. I also love the isolation with not so many people on the trail.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Totally agree!

[@33Jenesis]

My must have snow hiking items are: wool socks, down mini skirt, wool leggings, wool cami, glove liners and thick mittens, microspikes or crampons (depending on route), snow shoes, small plastic shovel (also double as a seat), neck gaiter, down leg gaiters, face mask, snow goggles, sunblock, thin wool beanie under hard brim hat, hydroflask 20oz with hot tea. I just bought a pair of down pants. Now sure if they’d be too much snow hiking but they sure are wind and cold proof.

[@TheHungryHiker]

I just purchased a pair of down pants myself for some winter camping I plan on doing a little later this season. Can't wait to put those to the test and see how they do out there. Last time I tried winter camping, I was so cold. Since then, I have made quite a few gear changes that I'm excited to try on my next trip!

[@33Jenesis]

@@TheHungryHiker same reason for my down pants purchase (for winter car camping). I also bought down socks and down balaclava. I have like 5 various material floor layers in the trunk of my suv hopefully to stave off cold from underside :)

[@TheHungryHiker]

@@33Jenesis That's awesome!! I plan on winter camping outside of my car this year (yikes!!) and somewhere up near Mount Rainier later this season. I want to make sure I stay really warm for this trip because I anticipate it being really cold sleeping out on snow in my tent. So hoping for clear skies and beautiful views. Fingers crossed!

[@Pamela_PNW]

Excellent video! Perfect for this time of year and comprehensive… I am a pretty experienced hiker/backpacker but this video reminded me of a couple things not in my daypack, like an external battery pack and hand warmers :). Thank you ❤

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you! Glad you found this video helpful and was able to get a couple good reminders out of it. Happy safe and fun winter hiking!

[@thereandbackagain6982]

the bottle upside down trick is brilliant!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love this tip!!

[@bickayer]

I love winter hiking in the whites of NH

[@TheHungryHiker]

Sounds amazing!

[@chemistryflavored]

What perfect timing and so informative! I live in Oregon and just bought snowshoes for the first time with the plan to do some winter hiking. Was feeling a little intimidated thinking I needed to buy a bunch of new stuff but realized I have most of this. Now I feel like I can be prepared and really enjoy this season! Happy holidays!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love this! Glad you found this video helpful. There are a couple of pieces of gear that are specific to winter hiking like snowshoes and maybe microspikes, but everything else most hikers and backpackers probably already have, which makes winter hiking really accessible. No sense in buying all new gear for the winter season. Use what you have and get new gear only when it makes sense. Happy fun and safe winter hiking this season!

[@pnwhiker4239]

Great video, very useful for all winter hikers ❤

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!

[@carolguezen5829]

An awesome video with great tips. And as always...wonderfully delivered.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!

[@leelindemann7729]

Such an excellent video. Thank you.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@humbertocarrionjr8111]

Great tip on carrying water.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@samiches4500]

With the ultimate goal of being solo winter camping I'm starting with with winter hiking as I collect gear and experience. Your video is great, I now see winter hiking and camping as 2 different activities(Beasts), though many similarities. Got my sub thank you!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yes, winter hiking and winter camping are two separate beasts. I completely agree! I'm getting ready for my winter hiking redemption trip this year. Excited to put my new gear to the test and I'm determined to sleep warm and comfy out there on the snow in February. Stay tuned for THAT video. Hahahaha!

[@BlessThisStress35]

Thankyou!!!! Love the winter video😊 So much good info!!!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for watching and glad you found this one useful. This one was a lot of fun to make.

[@sharrison3974]

Really great video. Thank you!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@CKeutmann]

Snow hikes are the best. Sad we don't get as much snow in southern new england as we used to.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Snow makes everything so much more beautiful, even if it is challenging to travel over.

[@MacyPooh196]

I love hiking in the snow. I think it’s so beautiful. (Also a lot of work 😅)

[@TheHungryHiker]

I totally agree! Hiking in the snow is quite the workout.

[@johnchaney9932]

Thank you for this post lots of good information was hoping for information on Gators or other ways of keeping your feet dry and warm

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad it was helpful! I personally always use leg gaiters as opposed to trekking or rain pants. You can find a link to the Gore-Tex gaiters I use on my Winter Hiking Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/l5idly

[@mikarose3993]

This is a great video! Thank you for all the good information, like always 💛

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@besttrekking]

very useful nice video

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you liked it

[@sleepsound9000]

I love the outdoors ♥️♥️👍👍

[@TheHungryHiker]

Me too!

[@MakeItSo_ST]

I love your channel so much! I’m in North Carolina lamenting the demise of winter hiking… and your winter hiking videos are making me feel better and have me looking forward to the end of the year! 😂

[@TheHungryHiker]

Awesome! Glad you've been enjoying my videos!

[@MakeItSo_ST]

@@TheHungryHiker I really, really am! Your videos have been playing all day while I’ve been working from home. My Outback and gear wish lists have grown!!! Keep up the awesome work! You’re my favorite outdoor KZbinr. 😊 Your videos make me miss my days of being an Appalachian Trail guide.

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love it!!!! 😀

[@setapart6937]

Excellent video! You should try adding hot cocoa to black/green tea. Game changer!!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed and the video and thanks for the awesome tip. I never thought to try that before.

[@HolisticHikes]

Great video! Perfect for us PNW hikers. Thanks for putting this together. 😊 🌲 ❄️

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this video. As a fellow PNW hiker, I know how important this information is to have when getting out for a safe winter hike. Something I wish I had known when I first started hiking because I might have started winter hiking much, much sooner.

[@HolisticHikes]

@@TheHungryHiker 100% agree. And many people associate PNW with just rain, when in fact it’s incredibly snowy! And at elevation can change on a dime. This video of yours will benefit many people.

[@TheHungryHiker]

@@HolisticHikes Spot on there. Just yesterday, I hiked up to the top of a trail I had hiked up to less than 24 hours before and the trail was completely covered with knee deep SNOW! I couldn't believe how quickly the weather and conditions had changed up on that trail. My hope for this video is that inspires people to want to get out for winter hiking and encourages them to do their research and preparation so they can have the most safe (and fun) winter hiking experience possible.

[@HolisticHikes]

@@TheHungryHiker Exactly. And your mention of extending the hiking season is spot on. We’re in that exact position now. Avid 3 season day hikers, 4 season at lower elevation, and pct section hikes, but are really moving towards learning about snow hiking so our hiking season can be year round at higher elevations. That’s what caught our eye on your video. (Thanks again). Our plan last year was to sobo WA pct but ended up nobo OR PCT because we weren’t comfy with the late snow melt in the north cascades. Your video can even help hikers like us get comfortable with the snow!

[@kriseikenbery112]

I love the silence! I am in Ohio and we have a great park system with lots of trail options. In the southern part of the state there is Wayne National Forest and Shawnee State Park. It’s not the Cascades but it’s the foothills of the Smokies. This is my favorite part of the year!😎❤

[@TheHungryHiker]

I love the still and silence of winter as well. Winter hiking is the best!!

[@BADazzJewelryCo]

I just signed up for a conference call with you and I’m super excited. I joined the HikerBabes Community also so I’m hoping by incorporating your knowledge with their challenges, I’ll start a wonderful hiking season with my four kids in tow.

[@BADazzJewelryCo]

Also, I’m in the market for a new knife for hiking. Do you have any videos or suggestions about the best knife or multi tool?

[@TheHungryHiker]

Excited for our call. Looking forward to chatting with you and meeting you online on the 29th!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I haven't made a video about the knife I carry. The knife I carry and love is a Buck knife. I got the recommendation from a fellow hiker/backpacker/KZbinr. You can check out her video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqS8f5SArrWei6M

[@doubleoseven273]

Great video

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!

[@hikesome]

Nice gear and tips ;)

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching.

[@harrytraction1380]

Your an absolutely a studett! 😅 love the videos. ❤

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 Kathleen, greetings from Northern California. Thank you for sharing the many vital life saving tips. You did an excellent job. You are certainly well organized. You thought of everything. Always the best of good things for you. Stay safe out there. 🤗 👋

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed this video!

[@geauxherd762]

Is there anyone else who sells a grid fleece “dress” like your melly? They are still appointment only and I’m over 1000 miles from Leadville. Been trying to find one for the wife cause I think it would benefit her hiking but also whenever else she’d want to wear. Solid tips. I know I’ve had my phone fall out of my sleeping bag/quilt before and was dead ☠️ in the morning. I had a battery pack so not an emergency but I did have to use up some of my battery pack.

[@TheHungryHiker]

I've seen various companies online sell something similar to the "Melly" fleece dress, but I don't have any firsthand experience with any of those companies or products. I live in Washington state so getting to Leadville, Colorado isn't easy for me either. During COVID, Melanzana offered a weekly lottery to purchase a limited amount of online products and I was lucky to win one of those weeks. My only wish is that I would have bought more than one dress. I love my "Melly" dress and wish I could have it in more colors so I wouldn't have to do laundry so often. I wear the one I have almost every single day, both on and off trail. One of these days, I'll make a trip to Leadville, so I can another Melly or two to my wardrobe.

[@MomWentBackpacking]

Lightheart Gear! I have their hoody and it has become my favorite mid layer.

[@leekarsonkal2090]

Great videos as always! Your Osprey Tempest 20 seems too jam-packed. Do you recommend a Tempest 24 litre backpack for winter day hikes instead? (For males, bumping up from Talon 22 to 26). Thanks so much!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Good eye! Yes, my Osprey Tempest 20 is now at it's limit for the winter so I'm getting ready to move up to the Osprey Tempest 40, which is listed on my Winter Hiking Gear List here: lighterpack.com/r/l5idly I think the male's equivalent to the Osprey Tempest 40 would be the Talon 44. Hope this helps!

[@leekarsonkal2090]

@@TheHungryHiker ok!!! Thanks so much, Kathleen!!! Btw love the videos about Nepal. A great and spiritual trail!

[@pyronitro]

@thehungryhiker. curiousity overcomes, what is that cow like character in your background. it looks familiar. Thank You.

[@TheHungryHiker]

It's a yak made of yak wool, which I bought when I was in Nepal back in September. It's a really special, symbolic souvenir I brought back with me from my trip and even has a bell!

[@pyronitro]

@@TheHungryHiker interesting. the horn is more of a carabao (water buffalo) to me than a yak. i wouldnt have guessed it was from Tibet. Thank You.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yup, it’s definitely a yak. Looks just like the ones I saw out on trail on my way up to EBC 😀

[@drewyager4020]

Have you done Skyline Lake snow shoe yet?

[@TheHungryHiker]

Yes, I sure have! In fact, if you look closely at some of the snowshoeing shots in this video, you'll see me snowshoeing around Skyline Lake, right across from Stevens Pass of of Highway 2 here in Washington. :)

[@drewyager4020]

@@TheHungryHiker yay!! I have yet to go but it’s on the short list. People are actually parking on HWY 2 on he weekends. What a mess

[@rickoneill4343]

As a man who is about to start backpacking these are great general tips. I don't think it needs to be gender specific.

[@TheHungryHiker]

You're right, the tips I provide in this winter hiking video are not gender specific hiking tips. As for my online backpacking program for women, The Confident Solo Female Backpacker System, yes, my program is gender specific. Not only do I teach the program from my own experience as a solo female backpacker, but I also wanted to create a safe, supportive and comfortable space where women can come to learn how to overcome their fears and intimidation about backpacking solo and where NO TOPIC is off limits.

[@paddle_hike]

lots to see....You can get some views that you wouldn't get during summer with all the leaves blocking the view.

[@TheHungryHiker]

That is very true!

[@thebeardedhomesteader]

We haven't had a good snow in 10 years here

[@TheHungryHiker]

Oh no. What a bummer. We've been getting plenty of snow up here in the PNW lately. It's looking to be a solid winter.

[@dandeleona4760]

What? No hat? 25% of core heat is lost through the scalp. Heat loss is fine for moving, but accelerates calorie burn to sustain body heat that might be needed when tired and headed back. It should be first dress before emergency hat. :)

[@TheHungryHiker]

Sounds like you didn’t watch my video long enough. I always wear/pack a hat, especially for a winter hike. I mention hats when I talk about winter hiking accessories. 😀

[@TolikNiemtsov]

mid layer it's not an insulation layer

[@TheHungryHiker]

The mid layer is an insulation layer. Think of insulation for your house. Insulation isn't on the outside and it's not the actual walls of your house. It's in the middle, in between the walls and the outside.

[@labellaescrima1996]

You don't need to bring that much food you can go without food much longer than you can without water, so need to overload you backpack with food you won't even eat. Just make sure you bring good food that will energize you, not food that will make you bloated and sleepy. Put electrolytes in your water to give you stamina and necessary strength. Don't forget eating too much will make you want to eliminate not easy for women to do their business like men, so plan ahead and don't over eat. You need to know your own body what it can do and not do, don't overestimate what you can do, learn the hard way.

[@TheHungryHiker]

I agree that you should know your own body and give it whatever it needs, but when it comes to cold weather hiking, you do need to fuel the furnace and eat more calories than you think you'll need. Your body transforms chemical energy from food into kinetic energy, which keeps you moving and your body systems functioning. Eating on a regular basis will help the body maintain its warmth. As for drinking water, in the cold, dry air, your skin and lungs can release large amounts of moisture without you even knowing it. Having good hydration reduces the risk of cold-related illnesses and can improve your overall physical performance. Goal: try to drink at least 1-1.5 cups of water every 20-30 minutes, avoid caffeinated drinks, pack electrolytes and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If you do, then you're probably already dehydrated.