Winter hiking differs from summer hiking not only in the ground conditions (snow or ice on the route) but also in the weather conditions.
In winter we can witness weather paradoxes: snow frozen hard and impenetrable in the morning that turns, after a few hours of sun, into soft snow. Cold wind and blazing sun. These conditions can be as extreme as they are unpleasant.
When you think of the mountains in winter you think of ski runs, ski lifts, huts with hot chocolate. In reality the winter mountains, perhaps even more than in the summer period, are a cold and inhospitable place.
Many people don't go to the mountains, saying they suffer from frost and cold; others, who are beginners, go up to high altitudes dressed as if for space missions: T-shirts, big flannel shirts, heavy sweatshirts and padded jackets.
The mountains, though, are not always an inhospitable place. Moving through a snowy wood can be a decidedly “overheated” experience... on the one hand because there is no wind, on the other because of the physical effort of walking in snow which, in the wood, can be deep and loose. The physical effort in the wood is generally multiplied tenfold. Covering up too much, in this case, can only worsen our physical performance. Sweat, once we reach our well-earned rest, freezes within a few minutes, giving us an unpleasant feeling of cold as well as muscle chills.
What's more, the weather conditions of the mountains in winter can be decidedly changeable. A slope in the shade will have temperatures diametrically opposed to those of a slope in the sun.
What is the best clothing for the mountains in winter?
Anyone who goes to the mountains in winter knows that the best clothing is layered clothing, so-called “onion” clothing. Layers of different thickness have a twofold use: they reduce the effect of the wind and they create sealed air pockets that reduce heat loss.
Onion-style clothing lets you take off or add garments according to the different temperatures or according to how much wind you are exposed to.
Starting from the layers closest to the skin, you should equip yourself with the following garments:
A light synthetic-fibre T-shirt that lets sweat evaporate quickly while still covering the skin. For those who feel the cold less, on the sunniest winter days it is even possible to walk and climb in just the T-shirt.
A fleece with long sleeves or short ones (depending on how far into the winter season we are). The sleeveless one lets you lose some heat from the arms while still protecting the abdomen and the lungs, which must stay nice and warm for correct breathing.
The windproof jacket, not too heavy, ideally with underarm vents to let out the water vapour that forms inside your clothes. There are different kinds of windproof jacket. Here new technologies let us get excellent performance by using, for example, windproof jackets (shells) that can be combined with even fairly heavy fleeces.
Hiking trousers should be chosen according to the outside temperatures you are going to face: ski trousers worn on the Majella at -10°C can be a great comfort for the muscles, but they can be unpleasant at higher temperatures, making your legs too hot and sweaty. Trousers, whatever they are, are best fitted with braces, so that they don't squeeze your waist and walking is more comfortable. Again for trousers, you can opt for a combination of good climbing trousers and running tights to keep the muscles warm, giving on snowy ground the best protection together with maximum comfort.
Gloves for winter are essential: a good pair to wear while walking too can be useful even in the most trivial moments, such as resting a hand in the icy snow to keep your balance. Icy snow on your hands can be a truly... chilling experience, enough to cause real, stabbing pain.
In the Apennines, where only at night do temperatures become unbearable, the classic ski gloves are not needed for hiking: they would make your hands too hot.
The ideal is the glove with a mitten flap that is “retractable” and lets you uncover your fingers, for example to take a photograph.
For more extreme climates, though that is rarely the case in the Apennines, you can find cheap silk cycling gloves that can be worn under technical snow gloves.
Wearing light silk gloves creates an additional layer of protection against the cold. Silk gloves keep your hands covered even when you have to handle small objects (cameras) and equipment (karabiners) which would otherwise be hard to use with technical snow gloves.
Lastly, a thought on the scarf, which remains a decidedly optional accessory, if not actually inadvisable because of the danger (in difficulty the mountaineer may even risk strangling himself) and as useless clutter.
Anyone who owns a good jacket made specifically for the mountains will have all the neck protection they need, both against gusts of wind and against falling icy snow.
How to manage your clothing in winter in the mountains
As far as clothing is concerned, it is essential to stress again how important it is not to stay too covered up while walking; the fear of the winter cold (during the day) remains absolutely unjustified, especially in light of the fact that walking on snow can fully be considered a sporting activity, during which it is essential to get rid of the heat produced by the effort. Too much heat during sporting activity considerably reduces the quality of the effort. Knowing how to take layers off and put them back on according to the moment (wind, no wind, sun, shade...) is an effort you have to learn to make, avoiding pointless laziness.
Frequently asked questions
How do you dress for a winter hike in the mountains?
It is best to dress in layers, with the onion technique: a light synthetic-fibre T-shirt, a fleece and a windproof jacket that is not too heavy. The layers reduce the effect of the wind, hold in the heat and can be taken off or added according to temperature and effort.
What gloves should you use for winter hiking in the Apennines?
In the Apennines ski gloves are often too warm for walking. The ideal is a glove with a retractable mitten, which uncovers the fingers when needed. In more intense cold you can wear thin silk gloves under technical snow gloves.