Winter Survival Skills: Eating Snow versus Ice

We posed a similar situation over the weekend, but will ask again: What if you're out several miles from the trailhead during a winter hike and find yourself in an emergency situation in which you've run out of drinking water? In this particular situation you'll have plenty of snow and ice around, but the question is, do you consume any of it to help with your increasing dehydration? Is one source better than the other? And do you know why? The folks over at Vermont-based Peak Survival provide the answers to these questions in this short video:







Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

How To Dress For Winter Hiking

Although the winter season is already upon us, we shouldn't use it as an excuse to NOT go hiking. It all comes down to being prepared and knowing how to dress properly. Below is a pretty good video demonstrating how you should dress when venturing out on a winter hike. Although the spokesman doesn't mention it, you should always have an extra pair of socks in your pack, just in case the ones you're wearing get wet. An extra pair of gloves aren't a bad idea either, not to mention an emergency blankets and the ability to start a fire.








Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

Discover the Joys of Winter Hiking

Many hikers tend to run from the woods as soon as the first snow flakes begin to fall. However, winter is great time to hit the trail. Not only are the crowds gone, but many parks show off their true beauty after a fresh snowfall. With just a little more attention to detail beforehand, anyone can have a safe and enjoyable hike during the winter.

Although it might feel quite frigid at the trailhead, your body will begin generating plenty of heat after just 10 or 15 minutes of walking. The best thing you can do to keep the cold out is to dress in layers: a base layer that wicks moisture off your body, a fleece jacket for insulating warmth, and a shell to keep you dry and to keep the wind from penetrating your core. Most importantly, dressing in layers allows you to adjust your attire as you heat-up or cool-off. When dressing for a winter hike, always remember the adage: cotton kills! Never wear anything made of cotton while hiking in the backcountry. Once wet, cotton no longer insulates you from the cold. Moreover, it wicks heat away from your body and puts you at risk of becoming hypothermic.

Some people are prone to cold feet in the winter. One of the keys to keeping your feet warm is to make sure they stay dry. Wear a good pair of hiking socks, made of wool blends or synthetic fabrics, that wick moisture away from your skin, retain heat when wet, and dry faster if they become wet. I always keep an extra pair in my pack in case the ones I’m wearing do get wet. (Expert Advice: How to Choose Socks) You should also wear above-the-ankle hiking boots which help to keep snow away from your feet. You may want to consider wearing gaiters, especially if there are several inches of snow on the ground.

To round-out your winter apparel, don’t forget about a good pair of gloves, a ski cap and maybe even a balaclava.

If the snow is too deep in the mountains, consider hiking at lower elevations, or even wearing snowshoes. If you expect a lot of ice, especially in areas where there might be steep drop-offs, consider bringing crampons specifically made for hiking. These are sometimes referred to as traction devices, or in-step crampons, which you can either strap-on or slide onto your boots.

Trekking poles are another excellent choice for helping to maintain your balance on sections of trail with slick ice and snow.

After outfitting yourself with the proper winter gear, hikers will then need to focus on staying hydrated and properly fueled while out on the trail. Hiking in the cold, especially in snow, burns more calories. By some estimates, hikers can burn as much as 50% more calories when compared to similar distances and terrain in the summer. By not consuming enough calories while on the trail you become prone to getting cold faster. Make sure you bring plenty of high-energy snacks with you to munch on periodically throughout your hike. Watch out for foods that can freeze solid, such as some power bars. Or, instead of storing in your backpack, put some snacks inside your fleece jacket. Your body should generate enough heat to prevent them from freezing.

Although it may sound counter-intuitive, it can actually be easier to experience dehydration in the winter, versus hiking in the summer. Dehydration can occur faster in cold weather because the air is much drier. Moreover, dehydration can be dangerous because it can accelerate hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure you bring plenty of liquids with you, and drink often while on the trail.

If you’re storing water bottles in your backpack during a very cold day, you may need to insulate them to prevent them from freezing. An old wool sock will work in this case. Also, you may want to turn the bottle upside down to prevent the water from freezing at the neck. If you plan to be out for several hours, consider bringing a thermos containing a hot drink, or even soup.

Other winter hazards hikers need to be aware of include hiking in steep terrain that’s prone to avalanches, or a storm that covers the trail with fresh snow, thus making navigation difficult. You should always carry a topographical map and a compass with you in case you ever need help finding your way back to the trailhead if you were to become lost.

Other gear to bring with you includes a first aid kit, firestarter, waterproof matches, a pocket knife, an emergency blanket and maybe even a bivy sack.

Finally, let someone know where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and who to call if they don’t hear back from you at a specified time.

With a little care and preparation up front, anyone can discover the joys of winter hiking.





Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

Spring Snowstorms Bring Snowpack Levels Back to Long-term Averages

The snowstorm that socked the Rocky Mountains yesterday dumped nearly 20 inches of snow at Bear Lake. This storm, along with one other major and several smaller storms during the month of April, brought some much needed drought relief, and possibly fire relief later this summer and fall.

As recently as April 7th, the Bear Lake SNOTEL was reporting that the 2013 water year, which runs from October 1st through September 30th, was 6.7 inches below the average year-to-date total precipitation amount (all forms of precipitation from 1981-2010). As of yesterday, the gap was only 2 inches of precipitation (20.8" current levels versus 22.8" average). However, according to an April 15th posting on the Rocky Mountain National Park Facebook page, the park "missed a week during the Fern Lake Fire of taking measurements this year", which means the data from the Bear Lake SNOTEL is possibly not "an exact measurement". Meaning, the gap could be even smaller.

Judging from other SNOTEL sites in and around Rocky Mountain National Park, this appears to be the case:

* The SNOTEL at Lake Irene (near Milner Pass) is reporting 24.6 inches of precipitation this water year, which surpasses the long-term average of 24.2 inches.

* The SNOTEL at Wild Basin (SE corner of park) is reporting 18.1 inches of precipitation this water year, versus an average of 18.4 inches.

* The SNOTEL at Stillwater Creek (near Granby) is reporting 12.0 inches of precipitation this water year, just below the average of 12.2 inches.

* The SNOTEL in the Never Summer Mountains is reporting 21.8 inches of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), which is the weight of snow water equivalent to inches of water. I had to use this measurement because the website couldn't report on the long-term averages for precipitation amounts for this location. The SWE for the Never Summer location matched the long-term average for May 2nd.

To get an idea of how much improvement has occurred in the precipitation amounts at Lake Irene this past month, take a look at the chart below. The blue line represents the long-term average, while the red line represents the current water year:

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Heavy Snow Forces Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park

Heavy snowfall in northern Colorado today has forced the closure of roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park.

As a result of power, heat and phone outages in different areas of the park, both the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and the Fall River Visitor Center on the east side of the park closed at noon today. The Kawuneeche Visitor Center on the west side will remain open.

According to the latest SNOTEL reading at Bear Lake, roughly 18 inches of snow has fallen since last night. The latest forecast calls for another 3-7 inches this afternoon and tonight. Temperatures are falling and winds are expected to increase this afternoon to 20 miles per hour. Overnight temperatures are forecasted to be in the low teens.

According to park officials, there is limited access to portions of the east side of the park. Currently, Trail Ridge Road is closed at Deer Ridge Junction. Normally at this time of year it's open to Many Parks Curve. Bear Lake Road is closed at Park & Ride. Park snowplows continue to work on the roads, but park visitors are reminded that plows do not operate between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Hazardous driving conditions exist in the park.

For the latest weather updates and forecasts, please click here.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Removing snow from the highest paved road in the United States

With snow removal crews getting ready to tackle Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park over the next couple of weeks, I thought I would highlight a couple of short videos that show how much snow accumulates over the winter, what the conditions are like, and how crews go about removing snow from the highest contiguous paved road in the United States.

Weather permitting, Trail Ridge Road is projected to reopen this year on May 24th.








Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com