Snow Hiking Basics

Thank goodness for snow! But with snow on the trails comes danger as well. Before we slide our snowshoes into the fresh white powder, we will probably see posts online of hikers that are ill prepared and under skilled to be attempting to hike in the snow. We get it, snow in SoCal is exciting, and we all want to experience it, especially when we see all the posts of others doing it with huge smiles on their faces. It took us many years and tons of experience (including climbing mountains like Mount Shasta to gain mountaineering experience) to be able to say we have the skills and knowledge to be able to hike in the snow.

While we think it is one of the best things one can do in life, we also are saddened every winter by the amount of people that do not take it seriously and are injured or killed in the mountains.

The first thing you should know about snow hiking is snow hiking does not equal hiking. Hiking in the snow presents lots of additional challenges and dangers that regular hiking does not. It is a skill that must be learned and sharpened with experience and extensive knowledge. Do you have the right equipment and know what to bring for the current conditions? Have you been trained in how to use that equipment? Do you know how to read a detailed weather forecast that includes the different elevations you will be hiking to? Do you have extensive off trail navigation skills with a compass and a map? Are you carrying enough gear and are prepared to spend the night in below freezing conditions if something goes awry?

Can you physically sit/lay in the snow and stay warm/dry with the gear you have with you until help arrives if you get hurt? Do you know where it is safe to hike and how to avoid avalanche areas? Do you have the physical stamina to get you back to your car as hiking in the snow requires more physical effort? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself before heading out into the white wilderness. We put together a list of some of the very basics to think about in addition to the questions above. We want you to have that same magical experience we do every time we hit the snow, but also want you to get back safe so you can share all your photos with us!

1 . Start small. Just like when most of us started hiking, we didn’t start with climbing to a peak the first time. We started small and built up our knowledge, confidence, gear, and stamina to be able to eventually climb that peak. Find a place where you can get out into the snow, but if you get into trouble, is easy to get back to the car. Flat meadows, cross country skiing areas, and lower elevation mountains make perfect starting points to get into the snow and start learning. One of our all-time favorite snow shoeing places that is suitable for beginners is Palomar Mountain State Park in San Diego (when there is snow of course).

2. Become a map and compass navigation pro. This is a non-negotiable for winter hiking. Snow can cover the trail making it invisible and the cold weather can drain your cell phone/navigation devise’s batteries faster than normal. You just can’t rely on anything else but a good old school compass and map and you must have the skills to use them

3. Learn how to monitor the weather forecast and know what the hour by hour conditions will be for the elevation you will be at. There should be no “surprises” when it comes to what the weather will be. If you are monitoring the weather, know the percentages for precipitation, temperatures, and wind speeds at what times and elevation so you will know what to prepare for.

4. Take a mountaineering course. If you plan on adventuring beyond the flat meadows and want to get up into some elevation, consider taking a mountaineering course to learn the skills necessary for the mountains in snow/ice. You will learn mountaineering skills such as how to use your ice axe and crampons including how to self-arrest and self-belay, basic rope skills, snow anchoring, how to move on different types of snow/ice, and proper equipment. We highly recommend Sierra Mountain Guides for their winter courses.

5. Invest in the right gear.That old saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer to buying winter gear. Why would you scrimp on gear that could potentially save your life in an emergency?

6. Start early and finish early. Your daylight is limited in winter months soyou want to make sure you are off the mountain before dark.

Bonus Tip: Get your own copy of "Mountaineering; The Freedom of the Hills" and learn it cover to cover.

7. Pack everything you need and then some. You will need a winter pack large enough to carry your winter gear. This includes the Ten Essentials plus winter gear such as crampons, ice axe, extra waterproof clothing, snow gaiters, helmet, extra wool socks, extra food, poles with snow baskets, etc. You will need to have enough gear to stay the night or sit/lay in the snow if something happens.

8. Know what gear is appropriate for what conditions. Micro spikes are not going to cut it when traveling over angled ice and crampons will be a pain in flat, powdery snow. Knowing what gear works for what conditions is key. It is also important to know you may need both crampons and snowshoes in the same day and be prepared to carry them both.

9. Invest in a really good pair of winter boots. They need to keep your feet warm and dry for many hours of being exposed to wet snow. If the conditions warrant crampons, you will need boots that are designed to work with them.

10. Hydration is also very important just like with any kind of hiking. The additional challenge when hiking in the snow is to keep your water from freezing. If using a bladder with a tube make sure to put an insulation sleeve on the tube and blow back your water each time you drink so it doesn’t freeze around the bite valve or in the tube.

We hope this will get you started to at least think about what is truly needed to venture out into the snow. As always, let someone you trust know where you are going and when to expect you back and most of all have fun!