Walking in snow on the steep path that climbs Ben Wyvis yesterday I decided to write an updated article about how to winterise your rucksack. When winter arrives, you require a more comprehensive set of items to stay safe in the mountains.
Winter brings shorter days, lower temperatures, a greater chance of windchill, as well as snow and ice. If you plan to walk in the mountains at this time of year, you need to take extra care – and kit – to stay safe.
Making a plan – weather forecasts
Before you pack your rucksack or even make a plan about where to walk, you should check the weather and avalanche forecasts.
Useful websites include MWIS, Met Office mountain weather and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service. Being able to read the forecasts is also vital for safety.
If you are unsure about winter navigation, skills and avalanche awareness, why not book a winter skills course? It’s important you know what you are doing in the winter hills and mountains.
Having assessed the forecast and avalanche potential, you can make a plan about where to safely walk. After that, make sure you tell someone where you will be walking and give them an expected time for returning. If something does go wrong, they will be able to tell emergency services where you planned to go.
Winterise your walking kit
Baselayers
A baselayer is worn in layers, starting with one against your skin. They are made from lightweight materials that keep you warm but also allow sweat to wick away to the outside. Natural wools, such as merino or yak, tend to be better at keeping you warm and these fabrics will dry quickly if you get sweaty.
Wear several layers to trap heat in between each layer for the best level of warmth.
You can then add or peel off layers, including short and long-sleeved tops and leggings depending on the conditions or how hard you are working while walking in the mountains.
I also add a pair of baselayer gloves to keep my hands warm.
Winter waterproof jacket
The ideal waterproof jacket for winter will be made of fabric that is windproof and waterproof. Look for a heavier winter quality rather than lightweight summer quality of fabric.
If you are wearing last year’s winter jacket you could give it some attention with a wash-in re-proofing detergent.
Features to look out for when buying a winter waterproof include DWR (durable water repellent treatment), high-grade Gore-Tex, eVent or similar, taped seams, a waterproof/water repellent zip, waterproof zipped pockets, an adjustable hood with a stiff peak (so it stays up in windy conditions) and adjustable arm cuffs and hem.
An important extra tip is to buy a winter walking jacket in a bright colour. If you require emergency assistance or rescue in the winter mountains, a brightly coloured jacket will be much easier to spot than a darker or duller hue.
Waterproof trousers
A pair of waterproof and breathable over-trousers are essential. Buy trousers with zips on the outside of the legs to allow you to pull them on over boots.
Insulated jacket
Temperatures vary considerably in the winter mountains. It is usually colder at higher altitude and then there is the wind to add into the weather mix. If you stop for a bite to eat or to wait for other people, your body temperature will quickly drop, too.
This makes a good quality insulated jacket a must for your winter rucksack. I always take a jacket that is a bit over-sized so I can easily add it on top of all my other layers. Taking off a waterproof jacket to add an insulated jacket underneath is a last resort for me because I end up very cold, very quickly.
Note that the winter can be damp and wet so an insulated jacket made with synthetic or water-repellent down will be the best choice. Ordinary down is not so warming when it gets wet.
Winter walking boots
Many people swap to stiffer soled walking boots in winter. These usually offer better grip on muddy, icy or snowy terrain and they are usually more robust and waterproof than summer boots. However, it’s worth noting that you need to get your feet and legs accustomed to the stiffer boots. If you head out for a big mountain day in stiff winter boots, the chances are you will return home with sore and aching muscles. My tip is to wear winter boots for easier, local trails before heading off for a big winter hike. Also read my tips for buying winter walking boots.
Look for boot soles that have a more aggressively gripped pattern and the sharper the heel (look for a right angle at the base of the heel), the better the boots will grip to the terrain when descending.
It’s also possible to wear waterproof summer hiking boots but to be aware of the shortfalls. Summer boots tend to be more flexible in the sole and upper, which is more comfortable generally, but they are unlikely to provide the same level of grip as winter boots in snow and ice.
To winterise summer boots you can add waterproof socks.
To winterise all types of boots, use gaiters to help to keep the wet from getting in around the cuffs.
Crampons and microspikes
You will need crampons and/or microspikes for winter walking. These are added to the base of your boots to give extra grip in snow and ice. There are different types of crampons and microspikes to fit different styles of boots.
You don’t need specialist boots for many styles of crampons but you do need to be sure that the crampons will fit the boots you plan to wear.
As a general guide, boots are rated from B0 to B3, from flexible to stiffer. There are crampons to suit each type of boot.
- B0 boots are too flexible for crampons.
- B1 boots can be used with C1 crampons.
- B2 boots can be used with C1 or C2 crampons.
- B3 boots can be used with C1, C2 or C3 crampons.
If in doubt, ask an expert at an outdoors store.
I own Grivel crampons and lightweight Petzl crampons.
I often use miscrospikes, such as Kahtoolas or Snowline Chainsen. These provide good grip in many situations, such as in ice, but they are not so good for deep snow and thick ice/snow.
In winter, I tend to carry both microspikes and crampons.
Ice axe
If you are winter walking in Scotland, an ice axe can be useful when the slope is particularly steep or icy. Crampons and ice axes go hand in hand for winter mountain safety.
A walking ice axe is meant to act as an emergency aid, in case you fall. It will be used to “arrest” your fall, but if you don’t know the technique for arresting your fall with an ice axe there is little point in owning one. This is why you should attend a winter mountains skills course.
Walking poles
I rarely walk in the mountains without walking poles and I find them really useful on wet, muddy and snowy terrain. They are great for balance – and also for preserving my joints and leg muscles. Poles have saved me from slipping over on wet, muddy and icy descents.
Other winter kit
You’ll need a hat or buff of some kind keep your head and ears warm.
Make sure you have good quality winter gloves or mittens, too. I usually wear a thinner pair of insulated gloves and then carry at least tow other pairs of mittens because I suffer with very cold hands.
Heated mittens and heated gloves can be a great asset as well.
Make sure you wear winter thick walking socks or waterproof socks to keep feet warm.
A buff and ski goggles are a good idea for protecting face and eyes in driving snow or rain.
Snowshoes
When there is thick snow, a set of snowshoes are a great aid. You walk over the top of the snow, rather than having to step in and out of deep snow. See my snowshoe adventure on Beinn Ime.
My favourite snowshoes are MSR Lightning Ascent shoes for women.
Larger rucksack
In the winter months, you’ll be carrying more spare clothing and safety kit, which means you’ll need a larger rucksack. You might manage with a 30-litre pack but many people carry a larger pack.
It’s important that the rucksack is comfortable because it will be heavier. Ensure it has padded shoulder straps, a padded hip/waist strap and some way of staying waterproof. If it does not have a waterproof cover, put all your kit inside in dry bags. There’s no point in having spare clothes if they end up soaked by rain.
What I pack in my winter rucksack
- Ski goggles
- Sunglasses
- Spare layers, such as a baselayer and mid-layer
- Spare socks
- Spare gloves
- Spare beanie hat/buff
- Insulated jacket, such as a down or primaloft jacket
- Emergency blanket or shelter
- Compass and map (and make sure you know how to use them)
- Mobile phone (loaded with OS maps if you have the right app) and/or GPS gadget (and spare batteries)
- Crampons and/or microspikes
- Ice axe
- Headtorch
- Personal Locator Beacon
- Flask of hot drink
- Bottle or hydration bladder of water (you still sweat in winter and need to stay hydrated)
- More food than you think you’ll need
- Emergency energy snacks
- In snowy conditions, a balaclava and ski goggles.
- Snowshoes, if I plan to use them
- Walking poles.