EXPLORE OUR TOP 9 TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE (AND HAVING A GOOD TIME) WHILE OUT ADVENTURING DURING THE WINTER.
Deep, soft snow. Frosted pine trees. Cozy wool socks. The silence you only find after a snow storm.
Winter.
It can be wonderful, magical and mythical - but it can also be cold, icy, disorienting and a tad bit scary. Luckily, if you know your stuff and understand how to explore safely, having a winter adventure can be a truly amazing thing.
Growing up in Colorado, we both had our fair share of winter adventures. From snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park to skiing some of the best resorts around to simply wandering around a quiet forest listening to birds and pretty much nothing else. There truly is something special about heading outside when snow is on the ground and the weather is cool and crisp.
But winters can also bring their own specific dangers and challenges. Icy roads, blizzards, roaring winds that cut at your face, and hidden trees and rocks that can scratch you up if you fall through the snow (we have way too many scars from this issue ourselves). It seems Mother Nature is at her harshest during the winter season.
Luckily, over time you learn a thing or two about how to handle the winter weather and landscape. Below you will find 9 of our top tips for safely adventuring during the winter, which we have learned through many years of trial and error. Hopefully, these tips inspire you to get outside even when the weather turns cold and the land goes white.
TOP 9 SAFETY TIPS FOR AN EPIC WINTER ADVENTURE
1 | Be Prepared For the Worst
You know what they say: hope for the best but plan for the worst. And no truer words could be said about adventuring during the winter.
That is because in the winter if something goes wrong, it can go from bad to absolutely terrible in a short period of time. Weather, road conditions, the backcountry, all of these things can be more dangerous once the colder weather sets in.
So if you take one thing from this guide, have it be this: always prepare for the worst case scenario when adventuring outside during the winter.
Here is how:
| Pack extra layers of warm clothing, snacks and water and either leave them in your car, or take them with you when heading out to explore - especially if you are planning to check out the backcountry.
| Likewise, keep emergency supplies in your car in case you get stuck in the snow or if the weather turns really nasty and you can't drive home. Some of the best emergency supplies to have are warm blankets, flashlights, gear to help get your car out of snow (a shovel, cat litter, chains), jumper cables, an ice scraper, and a first aid kit.
| Always try to have a full(ish) tank of gas when heading out - just in case you get stuck and you need to keep the heat on.
EXPLORE MORE | THE TOP 8 NATIONAL PARKS TO EXPLORE IN WINTER
2 | If a Trail (or Road) is Closed, Turn Around
During the winter, many trails and roads will close due to too much snow, ice or mud. If you come across a trail that is closed due to any of those three things - and especially mud - do NOT keep going and instead turn around and check out another trail that is open.
Many trails will close in order to protect the trails from excess damage. While it might not seem like that big of a deal for you to hike along it, if everyone followed your lead, the trail would eventually become eroded, damaged and not very fun to use. When a lot of people explore a muddy trail or road, they often begin trying to avoid the worst mud spots and instead walk along the side. This decision can have some really negative consequences - including damage to the surrounding ecosystem (especially to the plants).
Do your part to protect the trails during the winter by following all closures. More often than not, you can find other trails that are open and fine to use. While a closure can definitely wreck your current outdoor plans, think of it more as a way to keep that trail usable for many years to come.
3 | Follow all Leave No Trace Principles
No matter the time of year you are adventuring, it is incredibly important to follow ALL 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
In the winter, the biggest principles to follow are: packing out everything you brought in; including, all trash, gear, food and supplies. Remember, no matter where you are exploring, always try to leave it better than you found it. In fact, if you can, try to pick up any trash you find while out along the trail.
The second important LNT principle to follow during the winter is to make sure you are always sticking to the established trail. Never leave the trail - even if the trail is really wet and muddy. By hiking outside of the trail you are slowly causing erosion to the landscape - which of course is bad. The trails are there for a reason, so use them!
