Walking and mountaineering in winter conditions is very different than at other times of year. It can be the most incredible and rewarding experience but you need to make sure you are equipped for the worst the weather can throw at you. The things that you might be able to ‘get away with’ in a less harsh environment need more attention – your kit, your clothing, your navigation skills, your organisation.
This is the third in a short series of Winter Walking Top Tips
The days are shorter. The temperature is way colder. Not to mention the wind chill, the effect of which makes you feel even colder. You may encounter hail and snow on a driving wind. All these factors can turn a straightforward winter walk into a big challenge.
Walking and mountaineering in Scotland in winter is the most exhilarating, affirming experience.
Some knowledge and planning will help you enjoy it as much as possible.
Get organised…
Having systems and being organised is really important in winter. Everything is harder. Fiddling around in thick gloves makes things tricky. You get cold and you stop being bothered. A little bit of prior prep can make a big difference. Get organised, think ahead and make things that bit easier for yourself.
First off, get your rucksack organised.
I line my rucksack with one larger dry bag then use smaller dry sacks to keep things separate, organised and dry. Precipitation of any kind – snow, spindrift, hail, rain will find it’s way into your bag, you want to keep your spare kit as dry as you can. I use different coloured dry bags for different things: my spare layers go in one, I have a hats and gloves bag, a bits and bobs bag, and so on. Using different coloured bags makes it easier to find what I need quickly.
I also pack logically – the stuff I’m least likely to need goes at the bottom and the stuff I’m most likely to use goes towards the top. I am not a fan of rucksack rain covers and especially not in winter. They flap around, they go flying and then stuff gets wet anyway. Just waterproof your kit with bags…
If you’re wondering what clothing to wear and pack take a look at my post Winter Walking Top Tips #2 – Adventures Afoot
Attach everything…
Anything fastened to the outside of your bag runs the risk of getting lost. Your rucksack really does need to be big enough to get everything in it, including crampons. 40 litres or so is usually enough. The only thing that doesn’t go inside my rucksack is my ice axe. That gets securely fastened either down a pair of side straps or in the specially designed ice axe loops and straps. Your map should ideally be in a map case and attached to you or your rucksack. Likewise your compass.
I used to carry my map folded and shoved down my rucksack waistbelt. This worked well for a long time until the day I knelt down to inspect some snow and the map popped up and out of the belt and went slithering down a steep slope of hard snow. It was a brand new map in a brand new Ortleib case and was very shiny – it moved fast. It finally came to rest at the top of a re-entrant.
I sprang to my cramponed feet, intent on retrieving it. As soon as I got about 30 metres down, a gust of wind picked it up, whirled it up into the air then blew it right over the edge of the slope. Lesson learned. When I bought a new map case I added a long piece of cord and a small carabiner so I could clip it to my rucksack.
Mobile Phones…
Many people these days use GPS to navigate in the hill, either with a specific GPS unit or a mobile phone. It is great technology but in winter it can be particularly problematic to rely on a mobile phone.
When electronic items get cold, the battery performance can really diminish and you might find your gadget running low on juice fast. You may wish to save it as a back up, keeping it switched off until you need it. You could put your mobile phone into flight mode and help conserve the battery. You could also bring a small power bank and cable.
There is a real risk your mobile phone will get wet and not work. Make sure you have it in a fully waterproof case or pouch. Even a clear ziplock foodbag will do the job.
A GPS unit can be handy, or using your phone to collect a Grid Reference for relocating purposes. There is a great app called OS Locate that you can use to find your location. It is free, reliable and does not rely on a mobile signal to work. You can select 6 figure grid reference and it will enable you to relocate yourself on your OS map. OS Locate app – find where you are (ordnancesurvey.co.uk)
Don’t forget though, screens can be difficult to see in poor weather. Phones are also difficult to use when using thick gloves. What I’m saying is, I’d be very wary of being solely reliant on a phone to help me navigate in winter. The ability to use a map and compass, with confidence, is paramount.
Be bothered…
For a long time, one of my regular phrases with groups has been ‘Any fool can be uncomfortable’. These days it is pared down to just two words ‘Be bothered‘.
It takes effort to look after yourself, and in harsh conditions it’s the first thing people stop doing. They can’t be bothered. I see it all the time and it’s a real bugbear for me. Be bothered!
If you don’t eat all day because you don’t want to stop because you’re cold because you couldn’t be bothered adding an extra layer earlier – well, you see where I’m going with this.
Poor decisions compound poor decisions and in winter you can’t afford to not be bothered. Be bothered. That 5 minutes of effort is always time well spent.
Think about being efficient and keeping faffing to a minimum. Keep some snacks in your pocket, that way you can fuel up without stopping if you need to. Start the day well hydrated so you have a head start on that. Do your best to drink your flask during the day. Have some discipline to hydrate when you get back off the hill.
Regulate your temperature – I use a hat, mittens and zips to regulate my temperature with minimal faff. I always start cold as I know I’ll warm up once I get moving. If I get hot I take my hat off and put it in a pocket and I can unzip a jacket to ventilate.
Route planning…
Your route plan in winter will likely need more thought. In Scotland there can be a very real avalanche hazard. You might want to cut a walk short or change your route and knowing which aspects of slope are good and which are not is vital information to have. You can check the avalanche forecast in Scotland throughout winter at: Home – Scottish Avalanche Information Service (sais.gov.uk) This is such an important service to use and understand. If it is new to you, have a nosey round their site. It is full of useful background information including on the ground reports as well as quality forecasting.
You need to be aware of other hazards too – streams hidden under poor snow, cornices, etc.
Winter Skills
Getting out with more experienced winter walkers is a great way to learn the new skills you’ll need. Mountaineering groups and clubs are good places to start. Booking on to a winter walking course or skills course can also be invaluable – you’ll get coached through these new skills and build your confidence so that you’re able to explore in winter independently and safely. If you’d like to hire me for some guided winter walking or an introduction to winter skills, use the contact form to get in touch.
If you don’t know how to navigate or you would like to improve, take at look at my Courses and Events page or drop me an e-mail.
