Hiking during the winter can be just as addictive as doing it during the warmer days of spring and summer.
The immaculate snowy landscape is breathtaking when viewed from a high ridge.
The coat of snow covering the earth is making everything seem so novel and outlandish.
Striding through the forest until reaching a high point offers a few more bonuses than when hiking during the other seasons.
Besides the mesmerizing view from atop, you can easily slide down using your sky equipment and enjoy an adventurous and refreshing descent.
If you’re hiking near a sky resort and your knees don’t feel like they did years ago, you can always try taking the gondola to a lower point.
It’s so fun exploring during the winter, and the good part is that people of all ages can do this.
What you should take into account whenever planning to venture outdoors during the winter is the increased rate at which the body burns calories.
Thousands of extra calories are being torn apart whenever you’re walking amid the snowy banks, and those numbers only compensate the internal heat that needs to be maintained by your body.
If you’re planning to go hiking during the cold season, your body will burn an additional 2-3000 calories compared to hiking when the weather is warm.
Another 1,000 calories will be used to heat up your inner engine.
The total extra calorie consumption of your body during a single winter day may vary between 3500 and 5000 calories.
Because of this, it’s essential to carry with you as much food with a high calorie content as possible.
Hot food is ideal when hiking in a cold environment, as cold snacks and drinks will lower your body’s temperature.
You can grab something to cook on your portable gas stove, but this may also make your body temperature drop.
To tackle this effectively, get one step ahead with your strategy and pack lots of “just-add-water” meals to exponentially reduce the cooking and cleanup time.
For a successful winter hiking experience, here are a few inspired hot meal choices to have in your backpack:
Breakfast:
The first meal of the day needs to energize and strengthen you, so among the best choices at your disposal are granolas, instant oatmeal, and muesli.
Quick Foods:
To take care of your body’s needs while hiking in a cold environment, you must make quick lunch breaks or simply eat on the fly.
Carry with you as many snacks as possible, and have them placed in a pocket where you can easily reach them.
Among the snacks I carry with me while winter trekking, are:
- Dried fruits (mostly apricots and figs)
- Nuts and walnuts
- Crackers
- Cheese sticks
- Jerky
- Lots of chocolate
Dinner:
As dusk settles and temperatures begin dropping even more, there’s nothing as good as a hot meal or drink to remove those winter chills.
Fast freeze-dried meals with a content balanced in proteins, carbs, and fats should do the trick amazingly.
Cooking in the snow takes precious energy, so better pack that craved meal in a casserole while you’re still at home.
You should bring curry (with rice, shrimp, and canned pineapple), or moussaka (with eggplants, onions, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, and lean beef mince).
Don’t take these suggestions as a must, but rather use your own gourmand imagination to prepare your favorite meal.
Drinks:
As you probably already know, hydrating is the most important part when hiking (or just doing activities outdoor) during the winter season.
You may last several days without food, but dehydration may end your life in less than 24 hours based on the circumstances.
Preparing hot drinks such as hot chocolate, herbal teas, or cocoa will warm your body and sour during a chilly night.
Soups are also among the must-haves when hiking during the winter.
It’s best that you keep away from caffeine and alcohol due to their dehydrating properties!
With all these goodies in your backpack, you can relax and fully enjoy the snowy experience.
The road can get tricky, so be advised to stack as much food as possible in the case you lose your way or remain stranded.
Better be prepared than sorry!
Have you ever been hiking in the winter?
Did you encounter any challenges on your way up?
Were you together with a trained group, or rather friends and family?
How was the overall experience?