Winter Hiking & Camping: Managing Cold for Comfort & Safety

by Lanza, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780898869477
• ISBN10: 0898869471
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books

Summary

The outdoor world in its frozen state can take you into a new realm of pleasure where you can enjoy silence, solitude, and a landscape that will redefine "white" in your mind. Learn the skills to help you enjoy wintertime safely and comfortably. Part one covers everything you need to know to take day trips hiking, snowshoeing, or easy ski touring. It includes choosing gear, expanded food choices while "hiking in a freezer," navigation challenges in ice and snow, and avoiding cold weather dangers. Part two covers making camp in winter, including keeping dry and warm in a tent or snow shelter, winter cooking techniques, and what to pack in your winter first-aid kit.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	9	(4)
The Tao of Cold	9	(4)
INTRODUCTION	13	(6)
How to Use This Book	15	(1)
One Last Thing...	15	(4)
Part I: Winter Hiking
Chapter 1 Where to Go	19	(8)
CAN I GET THERE?	20	(1)
POPULAR VS. LITTLE-USED TRAILS	21	(1)
GUIDEBOOKS AND MAPS	22	(1)
PERMITS AND REGULATIONS	23	(1)
DECIDING WHERE TO GO	24	(3)
Chapter 2 Clothing and Gear	27	(36)
COOL DUDS FOR COLD DAYS	28	(5)
TODAY'S TECHNICAL CLOTHING	33	(6)
WINTER BOOTS	39	(3)
A PACK FOR WINTER	42	(4)
FITTING A PACK	46	(2)
LOADING A PACK	48	(1)
POLES	49	(1)
ICE AX AND CRAMPONS	50	(3)
SNOWSHOES	53	(4)
SKIS	57	(2)
OTHER GEAR	59	(2)
TRAVELING LIGHT VS. SAFETY	61	(2)
Chapter 3 Water and Food	63	(8)
DRINK HEAVILY; BE A GLUTTON	63	(3)
CARE FOR A SIP OF ICE BLOCK?	66	(1)
TREATING BACKCOUNTRY WATER	67	(2)
WHAT TO EAT	69	(1)
HOW MUCH WATER AND FOOD TO BRING	70	(1)
Chapter 4 Getting Around	71	(34)
THE CHALLENGES OF WINTER	71	(9)
THE HAZARDS OF WINTER	80	(4)
FINDING YOUR WAY	84	(7)
STAYING WARM AND DRY	91	(3)
HIKING ABOVE TREE LINE	94	(1)
GETTING BENIGHTED	95	(4)
GOING SOLO	99	(3)
CHILDREN AND WINTER	102	(2)
SMILE THROUGH YOUR TEARS	104	(1)
Chapter 5 Weather	105	(12)
WEATHER AND DECISION-MAKING	105	(2)
READING THE SKY	107	(1)
WHAT'S THAT THERMOMETER SAY?	108	(3)
WIND	111	(3)
STORMS	114	(3)
Chapter 6 Backcountry Ailments	117	(16)
BLISTERS	118	(2)
HYPOTHERMIA	120	(2)
FROSTBITE	122	(1)
RAYNAUD'S DISEASE	123	(1)
IMMERSION FOOT	124	(1)
FALLS AND TRAUMA INJURIES	124	(2)
SUNBURN AND SNOW BLINDNESS	126	(1)
ALTITUDE ILLNESS	127	(1)
MANAGING EMERGENCIES	128	(5)
Part II: Winter Camping
Chapter 7 Trip Planning	133	(4)
CHOOSING A DESTINATION	133	(2)
CHOOSING PARTNERS	135	(2)
Chapter 8 Clothing and Gear for Camping	137	(18)
THE CLOTHING	137	(4)
THE GEAR	141	(12)
HOW MUCH TO CARRY WHILE WINTER CAMPING	153	(2)
Chapter 9 Eat More; Drink More	155	(6)
EAT MORE ...	155	(2)
... AND DRINK MORE	157	(1)
COOKING SNOW	158	(3)
Chapter 10 The Campsite	161	(14)
THE PERFECT SPOT	161	(1)
MAKING CAMP	162	(2)
STABILIZING YOUR TENT	164	(2)
COOKING	166	(1)
STAYING WARM AT NIGHT	167	(3)
CONTROLLING CONDENSATION AND DAMPNESS	170	(2)
CONSTRUCTING SNOW SHELTERS	172	(3)
APPENDIX A: RESOURCES	175	(2)
APPENDIX B: BIBLIOGRAPHY	177	(4)
APPENDIX C: GLOSSARY	181	(4)
INDEX	185