Microspikes, Snowshoes, and Hiking in Winter
Mastering Winter Hiking: Microspikes, Snowshoes, and When to Use Them
Let's dive into the essential gear for winter hiking: microspikes and snowshoes. As a landscape and wildlife photographer who thrives in the snowy mountains of Washington State, understanding when to use these tools can make or break your winter adventure.
Microspikes: Your Best Friend on Icy Trails
Microspikes are like tire chains for your feet. These lightweight traction devices are designed with metal spikes or chains that grip onto icy surfaces, providing stability and preventing slips and falls. When the trail is icy or packed with snow, microspikes shine.
When to Use Microspikes:
Icy Trails: Microspikes excel on icy trails, offering excellent traction on frozen surfaces.
Packed Snow: When the snow has been compacted down, microspikes provide that extra grip you need.
Snowshoes: Float Over Deep Snow
Winter wonderlands with deep, powdery snow call for snowshoes. These larger footwear attachments distribute your weight, preventing you from sinking deep into the snow and making each step more manageable.
When to Use Snowshoes:
Deep Snow: In fresh, deep snow, snowshoes keep you on the surface, preventing you from post-holing.
Off-Trail Exploring: If you venture off the beaten path where the snow is untouched, snowshoes are a must.
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
Microspikes are your go-to for icy or packed trails, while snowshoes are essential for deep, powdery snow. Having both in your winter hiking arsenal ensures you're prepared for a variety of trail conditions.
Avalanche Awareness & Winter Hiking Gear
Avalanche awareness is crucial for anyone venturing into snow-covered mountains during winter. Understanding the signs of avalanche terrain, such as steep slopes, recent snowfall, and cracking sounds, can help hikers make informed decisions to stay safe. By taking avalanche safety courses, carrying necessary equipment like beacons and shovels, and always checking the avalanche forecast before heading out, you can enjoy winter landscapes responsibly while minimizing risks to yourself and others. Remember, the mountains are majestic but unforgiving—stay informed, stay cautious, and stay safe. If you’re hiking in Washington State, Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) provides great training and forecasting tools!
Other Winter Hiking Considerations
Don’t forget your basics when hiking in winter. Check out my blog post on Getting Started Hiking for an overview of important considerations and essential gear. Common mistakes when hiking in winter to avoid include:
Don’t Forget Sun Protection! Even if it’s cold outside, the sun’s harmful effects are amplified as light reflects off all of the snow around you.
Don’t Forget to Hydrate! It’s essential that you stay hydrated on the trail. You have to be more intentional in winter because your body may not send the same signals about needing water (e.g., to cool down) as you get in summer.
Don’t Forget Layers & Dry Clothes! You’re going to be cold when you arrive at the trailhead, warm as you hike upwards, and then cold again as you hike downhill. Be prepared to shed layers and adjust layers accordingly. Also, consider having some dry clothes you can change into, as there is nothing worse than being cold and wet!
Winter Photography Tips
I love taking snowy landscape and adventure photos, but it’s not without its own unique challenges. Here are some tips for taking epic snowy photos:
Overexpose by +1: Your camera’s auto settings are going to be completely thrown by the brightness and amount of white that it is going to want to underexpose. This is why so many photographers get dark or grey photos in snowy landscapes. Use your exposure compensation feature to overexpose by at least 1 stop.
White Balance: I have found that setting my white balance to the “Cloudy” setting, and overexposing by one stop as noted above, gets the best photos out of camera. Note that all cameras are different, so experiment with your white balance to find what works best for you (and shoot in RAW to get the most flexibility to adjust your white balance in post!).
Keep Your Batteries Warm: The cold temperature will zap your battery life faster than normal conditions, so be sure to bring extra batteries and keep them in a warm location (e.g., in a pocket inside your jacket close to your body).
Beware of Condensation: Bringing your camera into a warm location after being out in the cold can cause condensation that can harm your camera. Fight the temptation to view your photos right away, and leave your camera in your bag for a few hours where it is insulated and can come back up to temp slowly.
Conclusion
Remember, safety is paramount when venturing into the winter wilderness. Always check the weather and trail conditions before heading out, and never underestimate the power of nature.
I hope this guide helps you navigate the snowy trails with confidence. Stay safe, embrace the winter magic, and capture some stunning photos along the way!