WATER

You won’t sweat as much in the winter, but your body is still using fluids and you will need to drink steadily to keep your body replenished. Here are a few important tips that relate to water when hiking in snow or cold weather:

Never drink icy water in the winter or even on cool days. The cold water can cause your body temperature to drop. To avoid this, warm snow or water in your mouth before swallowing.

Protect your water when temperatures drop below freezing by burying it deep in your pack. At night, stash it inside your tent or at the end of your sleeping bag. You can also turn your water bottles upside down so that ice won’t block the spout.

When hiking in deep snow, you can keep your bottles full of water by topping off with snow after each drink.

Use water to melt snow. An inch of water in your cook pot will melt snow more quickly. Add the crustiest, iciest, or wettest snow to your pot—it will produce more water.

Keep in mind that melting snow will take more fuel and more time. With a cold wind blowing, it can take an hour and a stove full of fuel to melt and boil a quart of water.

It probably goes without saying to heed the words of Frank Zappa and avoid yellow snow, but also steer clear of pink or “watermelon” snow. This snow gets its name from its color, taste, and scent produced by microorganisms that can cause diarrhea.

All of the equipment needed for winter camping—warm clothes, four-season tents, sleeping bags, tent anchors, snowshoes, or skis—is available through outdoor retailers where you will also find information on how to use the equipment.

When hiking in snow, rotate the trail-breaking duty among the hikers. It is easy to let yourself get tired and possibly careless if you push too hard.