Dealing with the cold
Typically, there is no excuse for being hypothermic on a backpacking trip. Like many of the other concerns that we typically see guiding, this is a very manageable issue. Dress appropriately, eat accordingly, hydrate, rest as needed, look after yourself and look after your companions.
Those are the basics.
We all carry enough gear to stay warm. All of us. Rarely have I done a pre-trip gear check and thought “this person doesn’t have enough gear to ward off hypothermic challenges”. And we’ve never set out on a trip where that was something I was worried about.
Why?
Because we prepare appropriately.
Because we monitor how we feel and make adjustments as necessary.
Don’t let yourself get cold. You shouldn’t get past the point of mild discomfort. Once you hit that point and feel “hhhmm, I wish I was warmer”, simply do something different. Whatever you’re doing at that point isn’t working. Change it.
Much easier.
Much, MUCH easier.
Keep that in mind as nightfall approaches and you begin to think about heading to your tent. Even in a nice down sleeping bag, it’s a challenge to warm up if you’re currently cold. So don’t let yourself GET cold in the first place. Act before that starts to happen. WELL before that.
Add a layer. Move about. Add another layer. Eat something. Get in a sleeping bag.
Do SOME thing .. because if you don’t, unless the weather changes, you’re going to get colder.
Hypothermia, like most of our experiences in the backcountry, is a sliding scale. We don’t simply go from 0 – 100. We progressively feel worse. Stop and control that BEFORE it gets to a point where it’s difficult (if not impossible) to manage.
Little things, such as a mild cold challenge, are typically manageable things. Unmanaged they corrode and become big things. And then bigger things. And those things, such as severe hypothermia, are not easily managed.
When you’re uncomfortable, make a change and correct that course. Sooner rather than later.
You’ll be glad you did.
More info on Cold Weather travel
Clothing for Cold Weather Photography outings: clothing for photographing the subpolar and arctic Alaska winter conditions; loft, loose and lots.
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