Winter Hiking - A Noobs Point of View and Lessons Learned

[Raul Perez]

I've gotten 2 solid seasons of winter hiking under my belt. Work has been all types of crazy so reflecting and blogging about my past experiences have basically kept me sane during this rather difficult audit season.

Figured I would provide some insights from a noob's perspective and some remedies I implemented or will implement this winter season:

http://watermonkey.net/2011/09/23/winter-hiking-epic-failures-a-noobs-hard-lessons/

This was my first blog on winter hiking which goes over the 2 main risks in my opinion:

http://watermonkey.net/2011/09/14/winter-hiking-hammocking/

Hope it provides some insights to those starting out in winter hiking and camping.

Raul
(Water Monkey)

[Nutbrown]

Some good advice/experiences. I'm heading up to the Joyce Kilmer on the border of NC and Tn in late Oct, and some of this will help, Thanks!

[LIhikers]

Let me add a detail to the idea of putting a bottle of hot water into your sleeping bag a little while before getting in.
Once you do get in, lay on your back with your legs straight out. Now put the bottle up on your thighs. It seems there are some large veins, or maybe arteries, that run through that area. Having the hot water bottle closer to the flowing blood helps warm the blood which then warms the rest of you. That's a tip suggested by the guide when I was on a dogsled, camping trip in northern MN when the temperature went to -25 below zero. Not only does it make sense, it works.