Gear Guide: Everything You Need for Fall and Winter Hiking
Growing up on the West Coast spending my winters in the mountains wasn’t entirely foreign to me; I had been snowboarding for many years and was quite comfortable in the snow (or at least so I thought). As my love of hiking grew, and I got into fall and winter hiking I was caught off-guard at how different this was from spending a day at the ski resort.
When you’re at the resort your activity levels tend to be more regulated throughout the day than say hiking, with variable elevation gain, to an outdoor lunch spot, and then hiking back down to the car. At the resort you also have the option to pop into the lodge a warm up whenever you want or grab a hot meal, but with hiking, if you hope to eat a warm meal you need to bring all the tools to make that happen.
You also need to consider the shorter days, snowy terrain and potential avalanche risk. Many of these things are mitigated in a resort with overhead lighting, ski equipment and avalanche control.
So where do you start?
Choosing the Right Trail:
In the fall and winter trail selection becomes a little more technical, you’ll want to ensure you’re familiar with the trail conditions and how the weather has impacted the trail at all elevations. Just because a trailhead is sunny and clear of snow doesn’t mean the entire trail will be.
Before hitting the trail be sure to research the elevation and distance, check the mountain weather forecast and read any current trip reports. I like to check-out apps like AllTrails or local Facebook groups to get up to date info on the trail conditions. If you’re wanting to avoid the snow, your best bet will be to stick to trails with minimal elevation gain or those that start close to sea level.
Note: If you will be in the snow also make sure you are aware of any avalanche risk and have appropriate training and gear.
Gearing Up for Colder Adventures:
Layering:
If you’re not familiar with layering, it’s essentially the concept of layering your clothing so that you can easily add or subtract items as needed. Being able to adapt to the changing environment is very important, especially in the cooler seasons. When hiking in the fall and winter temperature shifts, precipitation and wind throughout the day become all the more common and your body temperature will also change with your activity level. Layering helps your clothing to keep you warm, dry and protected from the elements.
I have a full blog on layering, including gear picks here.
Adventuring with kids? I also have a complete layering gear guide for babies and toddlers.
Light Source:
With the days being shorter carrying your own light source is essential. I like to pack a rechargeable headlamp with a spare battery like the Petzl Actik Core Headlamp - 600 Lumens. Bringing a spare battery provides me with peace of mind in the cooler temps. Some people prefer to bring a back-up head lamp or buy a lamp compatible with AAA batteries so they can use the batteries out of their avalanche transceiver in a pinch.
A good headlamp forms part of your 10 essentials. For more information on this check out the essentials list at the bottom of this blog.
Satellite Communicator:
The other essential I like to call out is a satellite communication device. Having a satellite device is truly a lifesaver, even if you don’t think you’ll be out of reception. These devices are weather resistant and made to withstand the cold whereas phone batteries are often drained by cold weather and don’t hold up well in the snow. My device of choice is the Garmin inReach Mini 2
Each of the different devices works a little differently in terms of their functionality as well as subscription plans and what goes on behind the scenes. To determine the best device for you, consider where you will be using the device and what your needs are. For more details check out my blog How Does It Work: The Garmin inReach Mini 2 and if you’re still unsure, the gearheads at your local VPO store are also always available to help with your selections.
The next thing you’ll need to consider is microspikes or snowshoes?
Microspikes:
If you will be walking on hard-packed snow or ice, microspikes are the way to go. Microspikes are designed to slip on over your hiking boots to provide added traction.
Snowshoes:
If you will be hiking in deep snow that hasn’t had a chance to condense or pack down or is lightly trafficked you’ll want to opt for snowshoes instead. Snowshoes help you stay on top of the snow and make it easier to travel through this terrain.
With snowshoes you’ll want to consider if you will be dealing with elevation or not, if you plan to hike uphill in your snowshoes you’ll want to choose ones that have “teeth” on the edge of the frame and under the foot for added traction as opposed to a tubular frame. You’ll also want to have adjustable risers under the foot.
Note: On some trails you will need both microspikes AND snowshoes, starting off with spikes and transitioning to snowshoes as you gain elevation and the snow gets deep.
Trekking Poles:
With both microspikes or snowshoes you’ll want to have a good pair of adjustable trekking poles. Poles help provide traction in the snow and also help you keep your balance as you adjust to walking on variable terrain.
Snow Safety Gear:
When traveling through avalanche terrain it’s also important to carry snow safety gear and know how to use it. If you’re new to snow travel, AdventureSmart BC and search and rescue teams recommend taking an Avalanche Safety Course (commonly referred to as AST1). There are also a number of resource guides on AvalancheCanada. Many Valhalla Pure outfitters stores also rent safety gear, check in with your local store for more details.
Hydration and Fuel:
Other things to consider when hiking in the snow is your fuel, you will typically burn more energy when hiking in the cold and on variable terrain. I like to pack electrolytes, such as Nuun and bring a stove or insulated food jar to enjoy a warm meal at my destination. Aside from the gear listed above we recommend bringing the essentials below and checking out our layer up guide for clothing recommendations.
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