Winter Hiking Tips

kc dyer
2 days ago
2 min read

Words of wisdom from LBSAR

With the onset of dark and dreary days most people pack away their hiking boots and dream of balmy summer days to come.

Most — but not all.

For those who do make the decision to brave the elements, the experts have some advice to share.

"The main issues we repeatedly see, especially coming into dark and cold season are related to navigation," says Brent Calkin, Lions Bay Search and Rescue Manager.

He says the issues include:

lack of knowledge of how navigation apps work,
use of inappropriate apps, or
not using apps at all and expecting to be able to follow signs and pathways.

Calkin recommends the 'AllTrails' and 'Gaia GPS' apps, and says he considers them good tools that are easy to use. He also like 'Cal Topo' and 'Avenza'.

"Obviously, navigation requires your phone to be working well, so making sure you keep the phone dry and at body temperature, along with having sufficient power banks and a working high quality charge cable," says Calkin.

He notes that hikers must also understand the nature of the hike, the current weather, tomorrow's weather, and the time of year. "Hiking on a rainy day in November in a cotton hoody and running shoes can lead to being drenched and then subsequently frozen in a snowstorm as one climbs higher up the mountain," he says.

Most of the trails in Lions Bay start at a low elevation and climb swiftly, so there can be a six degree or more difference between the start of the hike and the summit.

LBSAR has already completed their first winter rescue, an arduous overnight effort to assist two hikers who were stranded on the snowy west ridge of Unnecessary Mountain on November 5.

Support for LBSAR is always welcome. Donations can be made HERE.