11.17.08 - It's Good to Be Prepared

By Shauna Stephenson
sstephenson@wyomingnews.com

Follow these tips to be ready for anything the great outdoors throws at you and you'll have an enjoyable wintertime experience.

Winter brings a certain set of hazards to the Rocky Mountain west. With blizzards, high winds and avalanches, it takes a certain amount of skill and preparation to enjoy this snowy wonderland at it's fullest.

The most important thing you can do is plan before you go, says Jody Radtke, program director at the Women's Wilderness Institute in Boulder.

"You want to be warm, dry, happy and most importantly, get back home safely," she says.

So, don't let the cold winds of the season keep you inside. Here are a few tips to make your outdoor time more enjoyable.

1. Water

Water is one of the most essential items to have in the wilderness, yet in the winter, many people overlook it. With the dry air that usually accompanies winter weather, keeping enough fluids in your body can be more important than you might think.

"We tend to not want to drink as much," Radtke says. "With the cold, dry air of the winter, you're losing a lot of moisture through respiration."

She recommends taking a thermos or something that will keep water warm. If you use a water bottle, make sure to take one with a wide mouth, or store it upside down as you are out and about. With the popular water bladders, such as Camelpaks, find one with an insulated hose, and be sure to blow the water back into the bag after drinking to prevent it from freezing.

If you are faced with a situation where you are exposed to the cold weather and are without water for a long period of time, Radtke says to avoid eating the snow.

"It takes a lot of calories to melt snow," she says. "It will drop your core temperature really quickly."

2. Don't overdress

The first instinct people have when they go outside into cold temperatures is to throw on every piece of clothing.

That can actually be making you colder in the long run says Radtke.

"It's probably the number one mistake," she says.

Often, people will wear too much and begin sweating. As soon as activity decreases, they can become very cold very quickly, even with high quality synthetics.

"In general, I like to start out comfortable," Radtke says. "I'm not a big fan of totally stripping down and being like 'oh I'm going to be active, I'll warm up.'"

She recommends investing money in good base layers like long underwear and breathable clothes. Windproof layers will also help keep you warm; however, be wary of totally waterproof fabrics which trap moisture inside.

3. Hands and feet

Those boots may be stylish, but if they're too small, you're in for some trouble. Radtke says it's important to get boots that encourage good circulation. She says to be aware when buying new ski boots. Sales reps may try to sell you on the performance aspect.

"Unless you are truly a performance athlete, I would go for the comfort and warmth aspect," she says.

Also, avoid the extra pair of socks if possible. Instead, opt for a pair with good loft, as they will leave a little room in your boots and ultimately keep you warmer.

As for hands, check into glove liners, which can keep you from exposing your hands to bitter temperatures if you have to take you hands out of your mittens. Or invest in some hand warmers.

"If you get cold hands, bring hand warmers," she said. "It's not cheating."

4. Keep your head warm

This goes back to what your mother used to tell you, although Radtke extends that rule to your neck as well.

"Keep your head and neck warm. Don't let yourself get a chill there because that will impact those hands and feet as well," she says.

Radtke uses a combination of headband and hat.

"I'm a big fan of the headband," she says. "(It gives me) lots of options. I can really moderate my temperature."

She also recommends wearing a coat or vest with a hood to seal out drafts down the back of your coat.

5. Carry your ten essentials

You may only be going for a short half-day hike, but anyone who lives in the Rockies knows how fast the weather can change.

"If you've ever been in a whiteout, you know it can get very disorienting very quickly," she says.

The ten essentials include:
-- Map
-- Compass
-- Flashlight/headlamp
-- Extra food
-- Extra clothes
-- Sunglasses
-- First Aid kit
-- Pocket Knife
-- Waterproof matches
-- Firestarter

6. Don't panic

Being lost in the middle of winter can raise the anxiety level of even the most experienced outdoor athlete. However, it's important not to panic. Radtke says the first thing to do is to take deep breaths, center yourself and then start doing some deduction. If you are in a snowy place, can you retrace your footsteps? If you decide you are really lost, do you have a whistle?

"What I find is that a lot of folks do not go very far away from the trailhead or from where other people are," she says. "What happens is people feel lost and they actually pick up the pace and hike in whatever direction even faster and get even further away."

7. Beware of winter hazards

Tree wells, avalanche, hypothermia -- it's a wonder any ventures outside in the winter, right? But they aren't as bad as long as you are aware of them. The biggest key to avoiding avalanches is prevention, Radtke says. Keep an eye out for areas that might be prone to avalanche by being aware of your larger surroundings.

As for hypothermia, beware of weather conditions that elicit hypothermia, such as when the temperature is near the freezing mark causing it to both rain and snow -- a very cold situation to be in. Watch for uncontrollable shivering, decreased function in extremities and slurred speech.

"People will start to do strange things," Radtke says.

She says they might remove warm clothing or become combative. It is often difficult to recognize hypothermia in yourself.

"It's much easier for someone else to look at you and say you're not acting right."

8. Take a class

The winter brings a special set of hazards which require a special set of skills. If you want to be more confident in your skill set or just need a little additional training, don't be afraid to sign up for a class. Check out your local community college, outdoor training schools, such as the Women's Wilderness Institute, and your local clubs for listings.