It’s January in Wisconsin, and there are three things you should expect:
- Ice fishing;
- the Green Bay Packers being ousted in the 1st round of the playoffs;
- and temperatures to plummet
The Long and the Short of it
Hiking can be enjoyable in the winter. The trees are bare; and if it has snowed, the trees are covered in a glistening coat. Creeks peek through blankets of white, the water rippling hypnotically. Fresh animal tracks lead off the established trails, wandering into the woods.
But as enjoyable as it can be, cold weather hiking can be miserable – and in some cases – shouldn’t be attempted without the right apparel. When temperatures drop, protect yourself against the worst that winter throws your way .
Like a child
“Mom? Dad? Can I go outside?” our children beg, eager to play in the snow.
“Sure,” you say.
Excitedly, they run to dress appropriately, donning a jacket, snow pants, hats, gloves, and (possibly) a scarf.
No matter what age, we should all practice that same precaution; even that enthusiasm.
The Essentials
Jacket – The quintessential cold-weather item
As summer turns to fall, we break out the hoodie; and as temperatures continue to drop, we go from hoodie to jacket. When its cold, our bodies draw heat towards our torsos and away from our extremities. A good coat will help to keep those areas warm. If a basic jacket doesn’t do it for you, level up with a heated version.
If there’s one thing we should all have for winter hiking, its a warm jacket.
Hat – Keep the ol’ noggin toasty
This one surprises me.
Many a time in winter, I have gone out (shopping; out to eat; work) and people’s heads aren’t covered. Maybe its because I’m bald, and that I’ll never experience having no need of a hat because my hair will keep my head warm. I do my best to keep my head covered whenever I leave the house. It’s one of those things I’ll never understand. We lose most of our body heat through our heads.
To each their own.
Gloves – The Forgotten Hero
Remember that whole “extremity” bit in the section on jackets? I think it’s safe to say our feet are already covered. That leaves our hands. Unprotected, they are the first to succumb to frost bite. The longer we remain outside, and our bodies draw warmth to our core, it’s taking necessary blood away from our…from our…hands. Exactly.
It goes without saying, gloves keep the most exposed part of our anatomy safe from the cold.
Boots – These Boots are Made for Walking
Ordinarily, hiking shoes will do the trick. But snowfall in winter isn’t one of those times. Boots are crucial when trudging through deep snow, and not just any ol’ pair will cut it. There are specific types of footwear to help protect your feet. Look for these features:
- Waterproof
- Medium top
- Good support
Timberland, Columbia, and Merrell are some of the better known brands.
Bonus
- Scarf/balaclava – If you’re outside in REALLY cold temperatures, either of these are helpful items, especially when temps are accompanied by high winds. If you wear glasses, be mindful: they will most likely fog up.
- Base layer – These come in two varieties: merino wool, for extended use and/or low intensity activities; and synthetic, designed for moderate to high-intensity activities. Contouring to your frame, both retain body heat without inhibiting movement. Moisture wicking is an added bonus with a synthetic base layer.
- Hand/foot warmers – Top line protection in a tiny pouch. Just break one out of the cellophane wrapper, shake it, and it does the rest. With a temperature range of 100° to 130°, these little guys pack quite the wallop.
Conclusion
Winter in the Dairy State brings out a different breed of Wisconsinite. We wear shorts to step outside, and roll down our car windows when the temp hits 40°, claiming “its warming up.” And who among us hasn’t fired up the grill at this time of year? We do all sorts of things that make us uniquely Wisconsin.
I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of this topic. So if you’re going to hit the trails, don’t forget those key items: jacket; hat; gloves; etc. The more protection you give yourself, the better. Don’t let cold temperatures get in your way of enjoying the outdoors. But always remember to dress for the weather.
In Closing
As always, thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more, and/or join an ever-growing community, bringing Wisconsin hiking trails to you, click here to be redirected to my Facebook group, operating under the same name, WisTrailsAreCalling.
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