In today’s busy world, spending time outdoors is essential for our mental health and building connections. However, in the darker days of Winter, it tends to become easy to spend less time outside and find excuses to neglect this vital time. We need to flip the narrative! Winter presents a unique opportunity to embrace the outdoors. Hiking is an excellent way to warm up and enjoy the winter season, without worrying about dehydration, getting burnt, snakes, or being booked up with work social events. Here are six tips to ensure you have a fantastic hiking experience in the rain and winter.
Invest in a quality raincoat and waterproof gear
To stay dry, it’s crucial to invest in a high-quality raincoat that allows heat to escape while protecting you from the rain. Find one that has vents or zips to let the heat out. Additionally, waterproof pants will help keep you dry from head to toe. Layering your coat and ensuring it goes past your bum will provide extra protection against the elements.
Pack extra socks and dry shoes
Having a warm, dry pair of socks and shoes to put on after your hike is a must. Even waterproof footwear can have openings at the top, so having an extra pair ensures comfort and warmth at the end of your adventure. An extra hint for you: pack a little towel (even a tea towel or face cloth will do!) to wipe down any wet feet, hands, face, or hair at the end before putting on dry gear. You’ll feel way warmer, trust me.
Consider gaiters
Gaiters are protective coverings that can prevent rain and water from dripping down your pants into your shoes. They are a valuable addition to your gear, especially when hiking in wet conditions. They are still very helpful all year round for helping you avoid scratchy plants from hacking at your ankles, and keep those pesky leeches away.
Utilize your rain jacket’s hood
Most rain jackets have a toggle on the hood that allows you to adjust it. By releasing the toggle, you can bring the peak of the hood forward to cover your eyes, providing additional protection from the rain. Wearing a peak cap underneath, secured with a booby clip, can also enhance this effect. This creates almost a little awning to help keep the rain off your face, allowing for a much more pleasant hiking experience with much less squinting.
Protect your hands with kitchen gloves
For overnight hiking or snow hiking in cold, wet conditions, consider wearing a pair of kitchen gloves over your regular gloves. This extra layer will keep your gloves dry while you cook and set up your gear. They’re also great for building a quick snowball if necessary!
Book an adventure and stay motivated
To keep yourself motivated and accountable, book an adventure regardless of the weather forecast. Remember, your skin is waterproof and getting outside and staying active will make you feel warmer and more alive. Don’t let the weather deter you from exploring new places and potentially making new friends.
As Billy Connolly once said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little!” So, grab that sexy raincoat, follow these tips, and get ready for an exhilarating hiking experience in Winter, with or without rain. Embrace the opportunity to connect with nature, challenge yourself, and create lasting memories. The worst that can happen is a little rain, but just imagine the incredible experiences and new friends you could be missing out on. So, get out there and enjoy the beauty of hiking in rain and winter!
