The Salt Lake City community hosted a virtual kick-off to winter hiking and snowshoeing season with a 'know before you go' lesson in winter travel preparations. Partners from throughout the region shared tips and stories in order to keep yourself and your party safe this winter. Topics included weather, avalanche reports, trip planning, activity selection, gear, layering, essentials, injury prevention, and case studies. Watch the whole event below or skim through the sections to learn more.
Special thanks to Utah Avalanche Center for collaborating with SheJumps over the past 10 years to bring avalanche education to women in the Utah region.
Weather Forecast
Presenter: Utah Avalanche Center, Nikki
National Weather Service
Start with the 7-day detailed forecast by selecting an area to see the written out forecast details per day. It will tell you what the sky is going to do, what the temperatures are, what the winds are going to do, and will estimate the chances of precipitation and the cumulative totals. The nice thing about the 7-day forecasts is that there is going to be a little map to select locations in more detail than your search, so you can compare what the forecast will be like in the valley versus mountain peaks.
Snow forecast is a resource that the meteorologists put together two times a day every 12 hours. The information that is included is a basic breakdown of the weather synopsis with what type of weather systems are developing in the area and what to expect. It then breaks down the next 12 hours with the temperatures, the snow totals, and wind speeds at various elevations. It’s focus is for the Alta area and has one as well for the Provo mountains.
When you pull up your weather sources, always look at the wind, precipitation totals, and the temperature and see how they are going to change throughout the day. Knowing this information will help you plan what gear to bring and what layering to have with you. Once you look at the forecasts, it’s important to be prepared for changes in the weather. Monitor the weather as you leave your house, arrive at the trailhead, and as you travel in the backcountry and take notice to how the in the field conditions measure up to the forecast you prepared for to help inform you of your decisions and adjust plans throughout the day.
Resources
Avalanches
Presenter: Utah Avalanche Center, Nikki
Who needs to know about avalanches? Really anyone that travels in the winter backcountry.
Utah Avalanche Center breaks down how to make smart, safe decisions for winter travel with their Know Before You Go steps. They have many resources online to dig deeper and learn more. Below are the basics:
Know Before You Go
Get the gear - Transceiver, probe, and shovel
Get the training - Getting on the snow is super valuable, as well as introduction courses
Get the forecast - The weather and avalanche forecast and understanding what it means
Get the picture - Putting it all together and make good choices in the backcountry
Get out of harm’s way - Knowing how to navigate the terrain when you’re not the only group and etiquette and communication with other parties
Know the avalanche danger before you go.
Resources
UAC Dawn Patrol Hotline: 888-999-4019
Avalanche Forecast
Presenter: Utah Avalanche Center, Nikki
Know how to read the report
Every center’s resources pages look different but will give you similar information.
Danger rose shows avalanche danger by aspects and elevation. Avalanche danger ratings will give you travel advice, the likelihood, and size distribution avalanches will happen. There are five levels of danger ratings: Low, Moderate, Considerable, High, and Extreme. It’s not a linear scale and the jump from low to moderate isn’t the same as the jump from considerable to high.
The most common place for avalanche accidents is considerable because it is the combination of uncertainty, risk, and people traveling in the backcountry. When you see high and extreme, less people are traveling in the backcountry due to the instability of the snow.
The bottomline statement is a summary that forecasters try to provide of the conditions and the danger ratings. As you continue to scroll down the page and read through the report, you’ll see a bigger picture of what’s going on, including the weather and snow, recent avalanches, and avalanche problems. Avalanche problems are the types of avalanche slides you’ll see defined, such as persistent weak layer, wind drifted snow, wet snow, etc. The forecast shares where you will find the avalanche problems, the likelihood and distribution of those avalanches, and what to expect when you’re traveling.
Pro tip: Monitor what’s going on with the weather throughout the season.
Skill level
Presenter: SheJumps, Freddy
What’s your goal for getting outside and deciding what activity you want to do? How much of a challenge do you want or how much exercise can you sign up for? Consider the elevation and weather changes when making the decision. Decide where you want to go after looking at the weather and avalanche forecasts.
Know how long or amount of time you want to be out for and set a turnaround time. Skill level will help you decide what activity you want to do.
Resources
Presenter: SheJumps, Freddy
Gaia GPS
Wasatch Backcountry Skiing Map (app)
Paper map and compass
Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation
Facebook Groups with Trip reports
Women Who Backcountry Ski: Utah
Utah Backcountry Ski Touring
Wasatch Mountain Wranglers
Navigation
Presenter: SheJumps, Angela
Gaia GPS allows you to plan a route, track your route, and download maps offline. Using Gaia GPS various map layers can help get a bigger picture of the snow depth, slope angles, and terrain features when you're outside.
In the winter, trails are covered by snow. Though trails can be a good guide, you can make the route your own. Know how to read topographic maps and use the map before you go. Always bring a printed map and compass. If you have a printer at home, you can print a map from GaiaGPS.com. If you rely on your phone heavily, consider bringing extra batteries or a battery pack and keep devices in warm areas to help with battery life.
Discover hiking trails and areas on the app and leave trip reports after you finish.
Follow Gaia GPS on social media for new map features or head on over to Gaia’s blog or YouTube channel to learn more about how to use the app to its fullest potential.
Snowshoeing
Presenter: MSR Rep, Sara
If you like to hike and play outside, snowshoeing is a great way to access the outdoors in the winter time. What is great about snowshoeing is you can go just about anywhere. Think where you like to hike is where you can go snowshoeing and choose the best route for you.
Snowshoes help with flotation and traction to keep you stay on top of the snow. Add poles with snow baskets to keep you stable and balanced when using your snowshoes. Use gaiters to keep snow from getting in your boots.
Snowshoes are made by various brands and have different models. Most anything will work. We recommend trying snowshoeing out before buying a pair of new snowshoes. You can rent snowshoes from local retail shops, like Lone Pine Gear Exchange.
For boots, you can wear anything waterproof or even sneakers with gaiters. Make sure your feet will be warm for the winter temperatures.
Hiking
Presenter: MSR Rep, Sara
Hiking has low entry barriers as well. It is easy if the snow is packed down a little more. Make sure the trail and road is open before you go. Daylight hours are limited this time of year so factor that in and don’t forget the headlamp in case you are out longer than expected.
Pack traction devices, which are lightweight spikes to put over your boots to give you traction on that packed down snow or icy surfaces.
Your plan
Presenter: SheJumps, Freddy
Leaving a hike plan in your car will give search and rescue an idea of where to find you.
Make sure someone knows when you are due back and when they should call if you haven’t returned.
Make sure you go prepared with everything you need to stay safe in the event of an unplanned overnight.
Have all of your trip plan info available to your loved ones/key points of contact. Leave a copy in the car if needed so SAR can find it if they initiate a search.
Layering
Presenter: Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Katy
It’s not only for keeping you from being cold but from overheating.
Start with a baselayer or the layer that touches your skin. Pick a synthetic or wool layer to wick away the moisture to keep you as dry as possible. Baselayers come in different weights you can choose from. Next, add an insulating layer, usually down or synthetic down. Top off all the layers with a hardshell to protect you from precipitation and wind.
Below are some high-level tips to consider for layering:
Wear layers
Say “NO” to cotton
Cover your skin
Avoid tight clothing
Add heat
Wear a hat
Bring sunglasses or goggles
Keep batteries warm
Apply sunscreen
Bring the 10 essentials
Get the gear
Presenter: SheJumps, Leanne
You can find used gear at local consignment stores and outdoor retailers. Consider borrowing from a friend if you don’t have the gear before you purchase. Lone Pine Gear Exchange offers consignment and rentals. Other gear rentals include your local REI and some of the area’s colleges.
10 Essentials
Presenter: SheJumps, Leanne
The 10 Essentials is a list of gear to have with you wherever you go outside.
Navigation - map, compass, or GPS device or app.
Headlamp - plus extra batteries
Sun protection - sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses
First aid
Knife
Fire - matches or lighter
Shelter - emergency mylar blanket or bivvy
Extra food
Extra water
Extra clothes
For more information, check out the Micro Ventures: 10 Essentials blog post.
Leave no trace principles. Take everything you bring with you back out with you.
Hydrate
Presenter: Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Katy
When it’s chilly out, you may not feel like you need to drink water. Make a plan on how much water you’ll need on your adventure and make a goal of drinking water throughout the day. Use reusable water bottles. Keep your water bottle from freezing by adding an insulation sleeve to it. Hydration bladders aren’t normally recommended for winter activities because the hoses can freeze. If you decide to use a water bladder, blow the water out of the hose after drinking the water you need to avoid freezing it. Lastly, treat yourself by packing a warm drink in a thermos and sip on it throughout the day or on your longer breaks. You can bring a stove to make your hot drink on the trail.
Food
Presenter: Lone Pine Gear Exchange, Katy
Plan for the adventure you’re going to have and make sure you have enough calories for the day. In colder temperatures, your body will use more energy trying to keep itself warm, so add more calories than you normally would for a summer adventure. Keep your snacks handy so you don’t have to stop as long. Stopping in the winter can cool your body temperature fast.
If you want a warm snack, bring a stove to boil water and make a warm meal.
Frostbite
Presenter: SheJumps, Leanne
Lookout for the signs of frostbite.
Skin is cold, waxy, and pale
Feeling tingling, numbness, or pain
Skin feels soft if partially frozen, or hard if fully frozen
After thawing, blisters often form with superficial and deep frostbite
Seek out medical help if you have linger side effects.
Hypothermia
Presenter: SheJumps, Leanne
Look for signs not only with yourself but with your partners and check in regularly.
Signs include
Shivering
Minor clumsiness
Confusion and change in mood
If the shivering stops, you need to get out and back to the trailhead as soon as possible. Try to keep moving or add heat to the person as much as you can.
Thank you everyone who attended the event. The winner of the raffle was announced and though past time, a few questions were answered by the presenters.