3. Think Worst-Case Scenario
Even if you think you'll be done by dark or that the temperatures will be mild, you should prepare for the worst. Always bring a headlamp or flashlight, a map and compass or a GPS device, and your cell phone. Know the area before you head out—once snow starts to fall, the trail might not be as visible as it was when you started, and your tracks might get covered over.
Swisher recommends winter adventuring to places that you have explored in the summertime so that the area is at least familiar.
Always wear or pack layers. Puffy, insulated jackets are perfect for cold temperatures and will easily compress to fit in a day pack. If you're in wetter areas, make sure you have a water-resistant shell as well. Even if you think it's going to be a warmer day, pack extra clothes.
In the NOLS winter courses, Swisher has found that the warmer temperatures are often more worrisome. The super cold temperatures are easy to manage, he says, because everything is super dry and you can just put on more layers, where if it's right around freezing, you can get sleet and rain, which can quickly lead to hypothermia if you aren't prepared.
More: Tips for Camping in the Cold
4. Beware of Hypothermia and Frostbite
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, which creates a very low body temperature. If you're staying active and moving with the correct layers on, hypothermia is unlikely. It's more common when you get wet or sit still for an extended period of time.
Symptoms include constant shivering, lack of coordination, slurred speech, confusion, low energy and shallow breathing. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person with hypothermia usually isn't aware of what's happening because the symptoms often start gradually. Add the confused thinking associated with hypothermia and the situation can go bad, quickly.
Frostbite typically occurs in very cold temperatures or in places with high wind. It most often affects the hands, feet or face, if exposed to the elements. Pay close attention to when your hands and feet are getting cold or if parts of your face aren't covered. The best thing to do, Swisher says, is to get a warm or hot water bottle and use that to warm up hands and feet, or use your own or another person's body warmth to heat up with skin-to-skin contact.
More: Tips for Winter Hiking
5. Educate Yourself About Avalanche Safety
If you're hiking into any area with heavy snow and steep angles, take an avalanche course first. There are basic rules to follow, like checking the forecast before heading out and looking at recent snowfall, but the best preparation is to take a safety course. You'll learn about how to read the weather, snowpack and snow crystals, what type of snow layers to look for, and the combination of factors that leads to an avalanche. The more you know, the less likely you are to find yourself in, or even trigger, an avalanche.
"There is a human factor, too," Swisher says. "People not knowing about avalanche terrain and getting themselves in too deep, like the risk of a backcountry skier that just wants to ski the slope and doesn't really care."
Many mountain clubs and resorts offer safety courses, as does NOLS. Visit the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (avtraining.org) for a course near you.
More: Avalanche Safety: Don't Fall Prey to a Slide
Find a winter campsite at ReserveAmerica.com.
