冬季徒步旅行在山上与雪鞋.正版图库-素材下载-图蜗创意图片库

With the arrival of winter, cold air frequently sweeps in. However, even in the freezing cold, it doesn’t deter the enthusiasm of many outdoor enthusiasts. The snow-covered mountains, the fairy-tale world of “a thousand miles of ice, ten thousand miles of snow,” beautiful yet full of danger.

冬季徒步旅行在山上与雪鞋.正版图库-素材下载-图蜗创意图片库

So, how can one hike and climb more safely in winter? This is a crucial question that every outdoor enthusiast should consider.

Things to Do for Winter Climbing:

  1. Adequate Preparation: Before embarking on a journey, understand your health condition, avoid pushing yourself too hard, and gather information about the destination’s environment. Prepare necessary items and equipment, learn essential outdoor self-rescue knowledge, and acquire wilderness survival skills.
  2. Check Weather Conditions Beforehand: Winter weather is extremely cold, especially in mountainous areas where weather conditions can change rapidly. Before setting out, gather accurate weather forecasts for the next three days in the activity area, and anticipate potential severe weather. Carry sufficient supplies and, if encountering rain or snow, adjust your itinerary accordingly. Always consider the overall situation and avoid unnecessary risks. Timely retreat is not a retreat; it’s about walking farther to see more.
  3. Choose Routes According to Personal Condition: In winter, temperatures are lower, and frost or snow may be present. This increases energy consumption by 10%-20%, requiring higher physical fitness. While winter climbing has many advantages, it may not be suitable for everyone. Winter is a season when cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent, and blood pressure may be affected. Those with heart disease, hypertension, and similar conditions should consider their circumstances before participating.
  4. Travel with Companions: Weather in the mountains can change suddenly, and wind, snow, and fog can directly threaten our lives. If you plan to climb in winter, always travel with companions. Whenever possible, join professional clubs or experienced leaders who can enhance the overall experience and minimize risks.
  5. Beware of Cold, Guard Against Hypothermia: Prevent hypothermia by avoiding the simultaneous occurrence of wet, cold, and windy conditions. In cold and windy weather, focus on keeping warm and change wet clothes promptly. Especially in rainy or snowy weather, do not continue walking or resting in wet clothes. Pay attention to the physical condition of yourself and your teammates during the journey, promptly identify and address issues. Plan the route and rest time sensibly, avoiding prolonged exposure to low-temperature environments. Take breaks, replenish calories, change clothes frequently, and stay dry and warm.
  6. Finish Activities Before Dark Whenever Possible: In winter, nights are long, and it gets dark quickly. Manage your activity time according to the route and try to avoid night walks. Nighttime activities increase the risk of accidents. Descending before 4 PM is ideal in winter. If lost and unable to return the same day, spending the night in the mountains without shelter is dangerous. If lost during nighttime walking and unable to identify the route, immediately seek help, use available items like flashlights or phone lights as signaling devices, and wait for rescue.
  7. Avoid Grasping Tree Branches: During mountain hiking, never casually grab nearby vines or branches to advance. In winter, trees lose moisture, becoming extremely dry and brittle. They cannot withstand much weight, and accidents often occur during descent. When descending, focus your body weight on the heels to reduce the risk of slipping, especially on steep slopes.
  8. Leave Markers to Avoid Getting Lost: In winter, vegetation withers, and excessive leaves or snow may obscure trail markers. Be attentive to landmarks at turns and intersections, and use stones or branches to make suitable markers along the way. If not, it’s easy to lose direction. Pay attention to identifying terrain features at turns and intersections, mark the route with stones or branches, or even create a trail using readily available materials. In case of an emergency, being stranded without clear markers makes rescue difficult.
  9. Watch Out for Slippery Surfaces: Due to the cold weather, roads become slippery, especially in icy and snowy conditions, significantly increasing the risk of slipping and falling. The consequences of slipping are unpredictable, ranging from minor injuries to severe functional loss or even death. Therefore, precautions must be taken before and during the journey to minimize the risk of slipping.
  10. Beware of Avalanches: Avalanches are rare occurrences, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Terrain with a slope of 20° to 50° is more prone to avalanches. Additionally, snow accumulation must reach a certain level for an avalanche to occur.
  11. Carry Sufficient Equipment: For winter climbing, besides preparing adequate cold-resistant gear, it’s crucial to bring a headlamp, portable food, first aid supplies, walkie-talkies, navigation tools, and a lightweight tent and emergency blanket. These items are essential to cope with unexpected incidents where movement becomes difficult or you get lost.
  12. Essential Equipment Checklist for Winter Hiking and Climbing:
    • High-top hiking (or climbing) boots with high waterproof and breathable performance for snow terrain crossing.
    • Quick-drying base layers to stay dry and avoid hypothermia.
    • Snow gaiters and crampons for preventing snow from entering boots and providing anti-slip capabilities.
    • Hardshell jacket and pants with windproof, waterproof, and breathable features for outdoor activities.
    • Hat, gloves, and socks for warmth. A hat with ear protection is recommended, and fleece gloves are effective. It’s advisable to carry spare socks for changing if needed.
    • Trekking poles, essential for snow hiking, especially in areas with unpredictable snow depths.
    • Cooking stove, gas canister, and cookware for preparing hot drinks or food during winter trekking or camping.
    • Snow-resistant tent with snow skirt for windproofing and insulation.
    • Down sleeping bag suitable for the expected temperatures. Use a sleeping bag liner or additional fleece sleeping bag for overnight camping in cold regions.
    • Communication and navigation devices with appropriate software. Walkie-talkies are useful for team communication, and downloading tracks and offline maps on your phone can assist with navigation. In case of no signal, a satellite phone can be a crucial backup.

Remember, in extremely low temperatures, battery consumption increases rapidly. Therefore, it’s advisable to carry a backup power source. However, since mobile phones often lack signals in mountainous areas, excessive reliance on them should be avoided.

By following these guidelines and preparing adequately, you can enhance your safety during winter hiking and climbing adventures. Stay warm, be vigilant, and enjoy the unique beauty of winter landscapes while minimizing risks.