By Amaya Horner, Volunteer & Outreach Associate
TLC nature preserves are gorgeous this time of year! With frost covered grasslands, misty trails, and birds in their winter plumage, there are so many beautiful sights to see. While winter hiking can be fun and magical, it is important to dress properly for low temperatures and prepare yourself for winter weather conditions.
Safety
Many of our preserve entrances are off the beaten path and away from major roadways. Please make sure to assess road conditions before travelling to our trails, so that you aren’t caught on icy roads!
Both our Brumley South and Williamson Preserve trails close during heavy rains and other major weather events to protect the multi-use trails. You can find current closures and trail conditions at the top of our website, Triangle MTB, or on Triangle Off-Road Cyclists’ page. Please watch for previously wet conditions that create small ice patches on trails that remain open. Trekking Poles or hiking boots with spikes are great ways to keep traction.
Warm Layers
Layering your clothes is important when hiking in below-freezing conditions. There are 3 main layers to consider when dressing for cold weather. A base layer wicks perspiration away from your skin, a mid-layer traps heat and a shell layer keeps wind and moisture out.
Excessive heat can also be uncomfortable or dangerous, since moisture in below-freezing temperatures can possibly lead to hypothermia! Unzip or remove layers when sweating to prevent the moisture from freezing and taking heat from your body. You will also want to think about this when choosing materials for your clothing. When cotton gets wet, it takes time to dry, but synthetic and wool layers dry much faster and will move perspiration away from your skin.
Gloves, wool socks, scarves, neck gaiters, and hats are also very important to keep your extremities warm. These areas can lose heat faster than other parts of the body.
What else should you bring?
Another way to add heat while hiking in cold weather is to bring hand warmers. Battery powered hand warmers are great to stay comfortable and reduce plastic waste on trails.
It is still very important to stay hydrated when hiking in cooler weather. If it will make you more comfortable, putting warm water or tea in a water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated. Insulated water bottles and thermoses can help keep your beverage warm (and sometimes makes for a great hand warmer as well!)
