Since I’m usually blister-free, here’s how to prevent blisters when hiking… and how to treat blisters when you do get them. Some of the tips are fairly straightforward (your shoes should fit you) but a few aren’t often talked about. For example, I’m a firm believer in good boot lacing technique.

This guide to preventing and treating blisters includes:

• Why do hikers get blisters? What causes them?
• How to prevent blisters when hiking: 17 tips I swear by
• How to treat blisters: 3 key steps to take
• My foot care gear checklist: everything I bring to prevent and treat blisters

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products that I have used and believe in. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Why Do Hikers Get Blisters?

So first things first: Why blisters? Blisters form when skin gets irritated or damaged by pressure or friction. This could be from tight spots in your hiking boots or wrinkles in your socks.

You’ll also be more prone to blisters if your feet are wet, either from sweat or from getting rained on or dunked in a stream. When I get blisters, it’s usually because I let my feet get waaaay too sweaty 🙁

How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking

Wear Hiking Boots That Fit Well

If your boots don’t fit or aren’t broken in, you’re likely to get blisters. Take your time when buying hiking boots and try on lots of pairs. Make sure your toes have enough room to spread out – if they are scrunched together you can get blisters.

Getting the right size is also important. Check the sizing by walking on an inclined ramp – most good outdoor stores will have one. When walking uphill your heels should stay in the same place – the boots are too big if your heel slips. Going downhill make sure that your toes don’t bump the front of the shoe. If they do, they’re too small.

Choose the Right Footwear

To avoid blisters you want to keep your feet dry. That means that your hiking boots shouldn’t let your feet get too sweaty, but they also should keep water out when you hike in the rain or splash through puddles.

Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to get boots that do both well. Waterproof boots are good at keeping water out, but even if they use a waterproof breathable membrane like Gore Tex, they still make your feet pretty sweaty. And mesh ventilated hiking boots are great at keeping your feet cool… but terrible at keeping them dry.

My solution is to wear waterproof breathable hiking boots like the Salmon Quest Gore-Tex for colder and wetter weather and ventilated mesh trail runners like the Salomon XA Pro for warmer weather.

Learn How to Lace Your Boots

Lacing your boots isn’t as simple as just tying a knot at the top. There are actually different lacing techniques that you can use to alleviate different kinds of boot fit issues and prevent blisters when hiking. You can fix things like heel slipping or pressure points with different lacing.

There are some great instructions on REI’s website that can teach you how.

Wear Wool or Synthetic Socks

Hiking socks are designed to move moisture, dry quickly, cushion your feet and avoid chafing. If you want to avoid blisters, you need to get some.

Good hiking socks are made of merino wool or synthetic. I like socks that blend the two together as I find pure wool socks aren’t as durable and pure synthetic socks get stinky. My favourites are the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew. They have flat seams and they’re super durable.

Whatever you do, never wear cotton socks! Cotton soaks up moisture so wearing cotton is a recipe for blisters.

Make Sure Your Socks Fit Well

You don’t want them to bunch up or slip inside your boots, causing skin irritations and then blisters.  Check the packaging to make sure you get the right size. And if you’re in between sizes, try on both sizes to see which one fits better.

And it should go without saying, but if you’re wearing higher cut boots, you should also wear higher cut socks to avoid direct skin to boot contact.

Pick Socks That are the Right Thickness

Choose thinner socks for hot weather and thicker ones for cold weather. Remember, you want to avoid sweaty feet.

Recently, I got blisters because of poor sock choice. It was really cold in the morning (close to freezing) so I put on my thick and warm socks for the day’s hike. Throughout the day my feet got sweaty in thick socks as the temperature warmed up. And I got blisters. 🙁

READ NEXT: Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather

Wear Liner Socks

Liner socks are thin socks that you wear under your regular hiking socks. Liner socks do two main things: wick sweat away from your feet and prevent friction.

Hikers who wear stiff leather hiking or mountaineering boots should consider wearing liner socks. If you wear softer low-cut fabric boots or trail runners, liner socks often aren’t necessary. Nevertheless, if you’ve got recurring blister problems, give liner socks a try.

You can also get socks with built in liners. I’ve been wearing Wrightsock double layer socks for years and I love them. They have a thin liner sock inside sewn to an outer regular sock. The idea is that the two layers of the sock rub against each other rather than your foot rubbing against your sock. For me they really work!

Consider Toe Socks

If you’re prone to getting blisters between your toes, wearing toe socks can help. They take a bit of getting used to but I think they work. You can get stand-alone toe socks or thin toe socks you can wear as liner socks. Injinji are the original toe sock brand – they have tons of styles from liners to hiking socks.

Upgrade Your Insoles

The factory insoles that came with your hiking boots suck. They are pretty flimsy and might not be the best shape for your feet.

I add aftermarket insoles to all of my hiking footwear since I find they give me a better fit, more support and make my feet less sore after long days of walking. Try swapping out the insoles that came with your boots for ones that fit your foot better.

I’ve been using Superfeet insoles for years and love them. I have narrow heels and I find that they cup them better than other brands I’ve tried.

Cut Your Toenails

One of the easiest ways to get blisters or irritated feet is to neglect your toenails. If your nails are too long they will rub against your toes, your socks, and the front of your boots. Give yourself a home pedicure the night before a hike. On longer trips I bring a tiny pair of nail clippers to trim on the trail.

Air Everything Out

If you stop for a break, take your hiking boots and socks off to let your feet air out and dry off. Make sure to spread your socks out in the sun and remove your insoles from your shoes so any accumulated sweat has a chance to evaporate.

If you get really sweaty feet consider packing an extra pair of socks so you can swap out gross wet ones for dry ones.

When backpacking, bring lightweight camp shoes (such as Crocs) to wear while your boots air. I often get blisters when I don’t let my boots air out enough.

Plan For Stream Crossings

Stream crossings can soak your feet, and wet feet are prone to blisters. Bring dedicated water shoes or sandals to cross streams so you don’t get your hiking boots and socks wet. Crocs or Tevas work well.

I like to bring a small travel-sized Pack Towl to dry my feet with after stream crossings before I put my shoes and socks pack on. They are made of microfibre that dries really quickly. I also use it for washing my face and wiping sweat off my brow.

If you do need to cross in your boots, bring a back up pair of dry socks to change into afterwards.

Use Anti-Chafing Products

There are tons of anti-chafing products out there that lubricate your feet so there isn’t as much friction. If you know you are prone to blisters, applying an anti-chafe balm before your hike can help.

The cheapest (and messiest) option is good old Vaseline. I use Body Glide Foot Glide, but Hike Goo is also popular. Keep in mind that as you hike and sweat it will wear off so you might need to bring it with you and reapply.

Pre-Tape Problem Areas

Lots of hikers have known problem areas where they usually get blisters. Common areas are the backs of your heels, toes and the balls of your feet. To prevent blisters when hiking you can pre-apply blister prevention tape before your hike.

Moleskin tape is the classic solution. It’s a thin strip of cotton padding with adhesive on the back. It pads the foot to take the pressure off the area. Cut it into a shape that covers your problem area, and be sure to round off the corners. It sticks pretty well on it’s own, but I like to add a bit of medical tape on top to ensure it stays in place.

Some people also like to use duct tape as they say it stays on a long time but I’ve found that the edges of it often lift up and get stuck to my socks so I’m not a fan. It also doesn’t provide any padding. And taking it off your skin can be brutal.

The new school way to prevent blisters is to use Leukotape or KT tape. Both of these are designed stabilizing muscles and joints, but since they are very sticky and stay on for days, they’re great for blister prevention. l carry KT anyway to deal with my tempermental achilles, so I use it for blister prevention too.

Keep Your Feet and Boots Clean

Hikers splash through puddles and kick sand and dirt up as they walk. Getting dirty and muddy feet is a regular part of hiking. But those little dirt particles can rub your feet and cause blisters.

Make sure you clean the dirt out of your shoes and off your feet periodically. Be sure to check in between your toes! On dusty backpacking trips I usually wash my feet in a stream or wipe down my feet with baby wipes each day when I get to camp.

Wear Gaiters

If you’re going to be hiking on a beach or in the desert, pick up some lightweight gaiters to keep the sand and dirt out of your shoes. The low-cut, lightweight REI Flash gaiters are a good choice.

And if you expect to encounter rain, mud or wet trails, wearing waterproof breathable gaiters can help keep your feet dry. I do a lot of coastal hiking on trails like the West Coast Trail, and I wouldn’t dream of going without gaiters. I use Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Gaiters.

Treat Hot Spots Right Away

If you start to feel any foot irritation while hiking, it’s probably a hot spot that will soon turn into a blister. Stop right away, take off your shoes and treat it.

If it’s just a hot spot and not a blister yet, the best thing to do is pad the area with some moleskin, Leukotape or KT tape.

If you don’t have anything else, you can also use bandaids (I prefer waterproof bandaids since they stay on longer) or even duct tape.

It’s also a great time to clean dirt out of your shoes, change your socks, or tighten your shoelaces.

On more than one occasion, I’ve felt myself getting hot spots and decided to wait to look at them. By then they had turned into blisters. I should have stopped right away.

How to Treat Blisters

Decide If You Should Pop It

Everyone has their own opinion about whether you should pop your blister or not. Some people think you should always pop them, and some think you never should.

Well I think… they’re both right. (Way to sit on the fence, Taryn!) But seriously, I recommend examining the blister and deciding if you should pop it or not.

If it looks like it will burst when you’re walking or it’s so painful to walk on that you can’t keep going, I think it’s time to pop it.

But if it’s small and adding a bit of padding will let you walk on it, I think you should tape it up and keep going.

Usually when I get blisters I catch them before they are too big so I can tape them up and hike mostly pain free. Once I get home into a cleaner environment, I pop them (if needed). More on popping blisters below.

Pop With Care

If you do decide to pop it, it’s best to do it in a clean environment (like your house) to avoid infection. That’s why I often choose to try to walk out with an intact blister, rather than popping it on the trail.

But sometimes you have no choice and you need to pop your blister in the backcountry. Here’s how to do it. Start by cleaning the area and your hands with an alcohol wipe. Sterilize a sewing needle or the point of your knife with the flame from your lighter or stove. Make the smallest hole possible and massage the blister to drain out all the liquid.

Clean the blister with antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, then dress it with gauze or a waterproof bandaid. If it’s still really painful you can add some moleskin for extra padding. To make sure your dressing really sticks, back it up with a few strips of medical tape.

Never apply Leukotape, KT Tape, or duct tape to a popped blister as the adhesive will prevent the damaged skin from healing and can actually rip it open again when you remove the tape. Ouch!

Pad the Blister

If you decide not to pop your blister, you’ll need to add some padding to keep the blister from growing and ease the pain in your feet so you can finish your hike. There are tons of options at drug stores for blister care, but really they fall into two main categories: padded bandages and gel bandages.

Moleskin is the classic padded bandage. You can cut moleskin to protect blisters of pretty much any size. A popular method is to cut the moleskin into a donut shape and place it over the blister so that the blister is in the donut hole. Cover the moleskin with another sheet of moleskin or some medical tape and you’re good to go.

There are also tons of blister treatment bandages with hydrocoiloid gel in them that both pad the blister and promote healing. They come in a few different sizes but they can’t be cut to fit so you have to hope you brought the right size with you. ]

The gold standard in blister bandages is Compeed. They are expensive, but they stay on for days and are padded enough to prevent further pain.

Foot Care First Aid Checklist

The majority of the items that I carry in my first aid kit are actually for foot care and blisters, since that’s by far the most common ailment for hikers.  Here’s a list of essential and optional blister prevention and treatment items I recommend you carry in your hiking first aid kit:

Essential

• Moleskin sheets
• Medical tape
• Bandaids in a variety of sizes (preferably waterproof ones)
• Small folding scissors or a multi-tool like a Leatherman that comes with scissors
• Alcohol wipes
• Neosporin
• Sewing needle
• Blister treatment bandages

Optional

• Nail clippers
• Anti-Chafing Balm (Foot Glide or Hike Goo)
• Leukotape or KT Tape

Final Thoughts

So there’s my tips for preventing blisters when hiking and treating them both on and off the trail. What’s the worst blister you’ve ever gotten? How do you think you could have prevented it? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

• 40+ Tips for Hiking in the Rain
• Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather
• Backpacking for Beginners: Tips for Getting Started
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike

The post How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

After hearing reports of tons of wasp nests on my local trails during a particularly hot and dry summer, I did a bunch of research to find out how to avoid bees and wasps while hiking and what to do if you see them or are stung.

I’ve put together a complete guide to bees and wasps for hikers. It includes:

• Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets: Which insects are which? And why does it matter?
• What attracts bees and wasps? Why are they buzzing around in some places and not others?
• How to avoid wasps and bees while hiking – Which places and times of year should you avoid?
• What to do if you see wasps and bees – And more importantly, what not to do.
• What do if you discover a wasp nest or bee hive – How can you avoid getting stung?
• What do if you get stung by a wasp or bee – Essentially first aid info for hikers.

Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets: What’s What?

If it’s black and yellow and buzzing around, most of us freak out a little. But it can be helpful to figure out which insect is bothering you since some of them are more of a problem than others.

I’m definitely not an entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) but I have learned a little bit about how to tell bees from wasps. In general, bees are fatter and fuzzier while wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets are skinnier and sleeker.

Bees can only sting you once, while wasps, yellow jackets and hornets can sting you over and over again.

While researching this post I found out that yellow jackets and hornets are both actually types of wasps! Yellow jackets are smaller than other wasps but more aggressive. Hornets are some of the biggest wasps and can also be very aggressive.

Yellow jackets, some species of wasps, and some kinds of bees build their nests in in the ground. Hornets, some kinds of bees, and some kinds of wasps build their nests in trees.

In general, wasps, especially yellowjackets, are the most dangerous for hikers since they can sting multiple times, are aggressive, and build their nests in the ground where hikers can accidentally step on them.

What Attracts Wasps and Bees?

Sugar and Meat

Wasps and bees are attracted to flowers since they depend on their nectar for food. But they also like all other sources of sugar, such as fruit trees and human food. They also love meat and rotting food. Wasps have a strong sense of smell and will fly long distances if they smell something they think is tasty.

It would be easy to say that you shouldn’t bring sweet food, fruit, or meat hiking, but honestly, hikers need to eat too. If you are worried about wasps, take short breaks to eat instead of long meals. That way you can eat quickly before lots of wasps show up.

Bright Colours

Wasps and bees like bright colours since they are the same colour as flowers. Experts seem to agree that avoiding bright-coloured clothing might make you less attractive to bees and wasps.

Floral and Fruity Scents

This one is another no-brainer – bees and wasps like the scent of flowers and fruit since that’s what they eat. Avoid wearing perfumes, lotions, or other products with a floral or fruity scent when you go hiking.

How to Avoid Wasps and Bees While Hiking

The only surefire way to avoid wasps and bees is to stay indoors all the time… and that’s not realistic. If you’re going outside during spring, summer, and fall, you are probably doing to encounter wasps and bees. However, there are some ways to pick hikes with less wasps and bees.

Avoid areas with flowers like alpine meadows, which typically bloom in July and August (Check local trail conditions to find out when peak bloom is.)

Avoid areas with lots of ripe fruit, such as berry bushes. In North America, huckleberries and blueberries are common on trails, along with many other berry species. The berries ripen in the spring at lower elevations and in the summer at higher elevations. Check local trail conditions to see if it is prime berry season on the trail you plan to hike.

Read trail conditions reports on park websites or apps like All Trails. You can often find reports of active wasp nests near trails. However, new nests pop up all the time, so just because there isn’t a warning about a nest doesn’t mean you won’t encounter one on the trail.

How to Repel Wasps and Bees

Unlike mosquitos, repelling wasps and bees isn’t as simple as applying bug spray. In fact, insect repellent sprays don’t work on wasps and bees. DEET and picaridin, the two most effective mosquito repellents, do nothing for wasps and bees.

There are lots of “natural” wasp-repellent recipes online made of essential oils. In general, these wasp deterrents tend to use peppermint, citrus, lemongrass, clove, or geranium.

However, most of these recipes are designed to be used in your yard or on your deck. They aren’t designed to be applied to your body, where they are easy to sweat off.

Unfortunately, the best way to repel wasps and bees is just to avoid them.

What to Do if You See Wasps or Bees

If you see a wasp or bee flying around while hiking, don’t freak out. In most cases, the wasps are just doing their thing, looking for food. They don’t care about you and will leave you alone.

Avoid swatting at the wasp or swinging your arms around. Wasps may perceive that as a threat and get defensive, which means they might become aggressive toward you. Instead, walk calmly away from the wasp or bee.

If you are eating, and the wasps are interested in your food, finish quickly, then put the food away. After the food is gone, the wasps will likely leave you alone.

What to Do if You Discover a Wasp Nest or Bee Hive

How to Spot a Nest

Above-ground nests in trees are much easier to spot than underground nests. In both cases, listen carefully for buzzing – the sound of hundreds of bees or wasps is often audible before you see the nest.

Unfortunately, underground wasp nests are very hard to detect until you are almost on top of them. Each year, countless hikers get stung when they unknowingly walk past an underground wasp nest.

When you walk past a wasp nest, the wasps often swarm out, defensively stinging you.

Wasps are the most aggressive in late summer, especially during hot and dry weather. This is because food is scarce at this time of year.

What to Do Once You Spot a Nest

If you see a wasp nest or bee hive, leave the area immediately. Wasps and bees will defend their homes aggressively and will sting you if you try to get close.

If you discover a wasp nest unexpectedly, run! If you run 100-200 metres/yards away, the wasps will stop chasing you as they want to stay and defend their nest. Don’t jump into the water as they will just wait on the surface for you.

If you see a wasp nest and the wasps haven’t swarmed out, yet, protect yourself by covering up as much exposed skin as possible with long pants and jackets. Then run past the nest, one at a time.

Space out your group so that the wasps have flown back inside the nest and aren’t agitated by the time the next person runs. In my experience, if you run too close together, the wasps sting the second person a lot more than the first!

Warn Other Hikers

Once you have discovered a nest, be a hero and warn other hikers on the trail about it and/or post a trail conditions report on AllTrails or other trail forums. If possible, try to put up some flagging tape or a small sign 100 metres/yards before the nest in both directions as a warning. And tell park rangers about it so they can warn more people

What to Do If You Get Stung By a Bee or Wasp While Hiking

Bee and wasp stings hurt a lot at first, but thankfully, the pain subsides quickly for most people. Once you get to a safe place away from the wasp or wasp nest, it is important to perform a little bit of first aid.

To start with remove the stinger. You can do this by using tweezers or scraping along the skin with the back of a knife or a credit card.

Next, clean the area with soap and water to remove bacteria and venom. If you don’t have soap, you can use hand sanitizer, then flush with water.

If the bite is painful or itchy, you can apply an anti-itch ointment like After Bite. You can also take antihistamines to reduce the itching and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.

Another way to get relief and reduce swelling is to apply cold water or an ice pack. When hiking, the easiest way to do this is to put the affected area in a creek, river, or lake.

If you have a wasp or bee allergy, it’s important to carry your epi-pen on all hikes. You never know when you will encounter these stinging creatures. And of course, make sure your hiking companions know about your epi-pen and how to help you use it in an emergency.

If you are stung in the mouth, nose, or throat, the swelling can obstruct your airway and make it difficult to breathe. In that case, get emergency assistance as soon as possible by calling search and rescue.

So that’s everything you need to know about bees and wasps while hiking. Fingers crossed that these tips help you avoid getting stung.

READ NEXT:

• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking
• 300+ Hiking Terms Explained: A Hiking Glossary

The post How to Avoid Bees and Wasps While Hiking appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

But I don’t want to scare you off winter hiking and snowshoeing adventures. They can be so much fun, as long as you’re prepared.

In this post, I’ve partnered with a Search and Rescue expert to lay out all the ways you can get into trouble when snowshoeing or winter hiking. But we will also tell you how to prevent these issues AND what to do if something does go wrong despite your prevention efforts.

This post includes info and advice on:

• Hypothermia
• Slip and Falls
• Getting Lost
• Getting Caught Out After Dark
• Frostbite
• Falling Into Water
• Avalanches
• Glissading Injuries
• Tree Wells
• Dehydration
• Blisters
• Getting Caught in a Storm
• Cornices
• Your Ego

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Expert Advice

To really make sure I was getting the most expert info when it comes to snowshoeing safety, I chatted with Michael Coyle, a Search and Rescue volunteer with over 20 years of experience.

You’ll find advice from him throughout this post. Michael has been on countless rescues in the Vancouver area, and many of those rescues involved snowshoers. I’m so grateful that he shared his expertise on this subject.

Why is Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing More Dangerous than Summer Hiking?

At first glance, snowshoeing might seem pretty similar to summer hiking. You strap snowshoes on your feet, wear a few more clothes and set out on the same trails, right? Well not exactly. As Michael put it:

“Winter reduces the margin for error: Winter has shorter days. Travel in the snow is always slower than walking. Snow creates more problems route-finding because it blocks trail markers and landmarks. The combination of those three factors turns a winter expedition into a more serious thing because you’ve got less time, you’re moving slower, and you’ve already got a challenge navigating. And of course, cold weather reduces survivability. Somebody who gets lost in the winter is automatically in a life-threatening situation.”

– Michael Coyle, Search and Rescue volunteer in Coquitlam, BC

That’s why being prepared and knowing the basics of snowshoeing safety is so important.

Here are 14 ways you can get into trouble snowshoeing, how to prevent them, and what to do if they happen.

Hypothermia

What is hypothermia?

There’s feeling a little chilly, and then there’s hypothermia. A person is hypothermic when their core body temperature drops too low (35°C/95°F). It’s easy to get hypothermic when it’s really cold out, but it can also happen in wet and windy weather that isn’t below freezing.

People with hypothermia shiver, slur their speech, lose their balance, get clumsy, and generally act a bit “slower” than normal.

In the later stages of hypothermia, they may have shallow breathing, a weak pulse, and may lose consciousness. If left untreated, hypothermia can lead to death. Knowing the signs of hypothermia is an important part of snowshoeing safety, and hiking safety all year round.

How to prevent hypothermia

Prevention is key when it comes to hypothermia. Ensure you bring lots of warm clothing. Avoid sweating since it will cool you down when you stop. Pack dry clothes to change into if you do get sweaty.

Dress in layers so you can easily regulate your temperature. Read more about what to wear winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Check the weather forecast before you go out and make sure you have the right gear for the temperature and wind. And keep an eye on the weather as you snowshoe. If it looks like it’s getting worse, it might be a good idea to turn around early.

What to do if someone gets hypothermia

Hypothermia can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and the sufferer may not even think they are hypothermic since their mental capacity is diminished. Make sure you check in with your friends so you can recognize the symptoms of hypothermia in each other.

The only treatment for hypothermia is warming up the victim. First, get out of the cold. That may mean setting up a tent or just finding a sheltered spot and wrapping the patient in an emergency blanket.

Cuddling can also be really helpful. Remove any wet clothing and have them put on something dry and warm. Have the patient drink and eat lots of warm things. Bringing a stove on a winter trip can be the difference between life and death! Call Search and Rescue for help if necessary.

Slip and Falls on a Steep Slope

How do slip and falls on a steep slope happen?

Falls on steep slopes are actually one of the most common ways for snowshoers to injure themselves. In Michael’s experience, in places with steep and icy conditions, such as the mountains near Vancouver, slip and falls are far more common for snowshoers than avalanches.

Snowy and icy conditions make things more slippery in the winter, leading to more falls. A few other factors also come into play:

First, when you slip on ice or snow, you are much more likely to slide a long way down, possibly bumping into things along the way. This means that the consequences of a winter fall on a slope are often high.

Second, on a slippery slope, you need lots of traction, and snowshoers don’t usually have it.

How to prevent slip and falls on a steep slope

The first thing you can do is try to avoid steep slopes. Michael says snowshoers need to be careful in any steep terrain since the chance of a slip and fall will have more of a consequence.

Look for gentler, more gradual slopes to travel on. In particular, he says side-hilling and going steeply up or down a slope are the most dangerous.

1. Snowshoes don’t provide good traction

If you need to travel on a steep slope, make sure you have traction. Snowshoes are primarily intended to help you float on top of the snow. They have cleats underfoot for a bit of grip, but in general, snowshoes aren’t very good at biting into the snow. (Read more about how to choose snowshoes.)

Snowshoes can be particularly dangerous when you are traversing across a slope since, in that orientation, the cleats under the snowshoes aren’t biting into the snow at all! Going down is also problematic since the cleats aren’t designed to grip well in that direction.

2. Take your snowshoes off, then kick steps or use microspikes

On steep and snowy slopes you may want to remove your snowshoes entirely and kick steps into the snow using your boots.

If the slope is icy, I find using microspikes to be really helpful and Michael highly recommends them too. They are spikes that strap to the bottom of your shoes and give you a great grip on ice.

Michael recommends you change your footwear “earlier rather than later. Transition on flat terrain if you can or if you know you’re coming up on a steep area. And don’t be afraid of backtracking a bit.” Balancing on the side of a hill is not the best place to be fiddling with straps!

Read more about the differences between microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes.

3. Use trekking poles

You also need to add traction with your hands. I always bring trekking poles when I go snowshoeing. They add extra security on steep slopes.

Michael recommends removing the baskets or flipping the poles upside down so you can “plunge them deeper into the snow to get stability”. He says most people use poles as a balance tool, but that when you plunge a pole deep into the snow, you are essentially creating a self-belay to anchor yourself to the slope.

Another option he recommends is to “shorten the poles, then grab them above the basket and use them like little daggers.”

4. Use an ice axe

Mountaineers use ice axes for even better security. Many snowshoers don’t carry one, but it’s a good idea if you’re getting into steep backcountry terrain.

Michael recommends that you “get an ice axe and learn how to use it” to self-arrest. Take a mountaineering course to learn how. And definitely pick up a copy of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, the mountain travel bible for hikers and mountaineers.

What to do if you do slip and fall on a steep slope

If you do start to slide on a steep slope, I hope you’ve got an ice axe. Doing a self-arrest maneuver with an ice axe, is the best way to stop a slide. If you don’t have an axe, you can use your hiking poles or try to dig into the snow with your hands, elbows, knees, and boots.

Getting Lost

How do snowshoers get lost?

It’s a lot easier to get lost in the winter since the snow can obscure summer trail markers. If the weather is good and you lose the trail, you can follow your footprints in the snow to backtrack. But that doesn’t work when it’s snowing.

Another way snowshoers get lost is when they lose the trail, they head downhill and end up going down a slope that is too steep to climb back up.

How to prevent getting lost while snowshoeing

In some areas, park rangers mark winter routes with long reflective wands. This makes it easier to find the trail. However, in a snowstorm, even the wands might be hard to find.

If you hike or snowshoe in the winter, you should brush up on your navigation skills. Carry a map and compass and know how to use it. A stand-alone GPS or GPS app on your phone like Gaia GPS is also a good idea. But make sure you pack extra batteries, especially if you use your phone since you’ll need it in an emergency.

What to do if you get lost snowshoeing

If you do realize you are lost, don’t panic. Stop and think. See if you can remember any landmarks you may have passed. If the weather is good, turn around and follow your footprints back the way you came. Look at your map or use your GPS to see where you are and where you might have gone wrong.

If you really aren’t sure where you are or how to get back to the trail, stay put and call for help. Don’t keep moving as it will be harder for rescuers to find you. And DON’T start blindly descending the mountain. Many snowshoers have been injured or died this way.

When you go downhill, you can get into very steep gullies that are hard to get out of or slip and fall off cliffs. Michael says that his Search and Rescue teams have rescued many people in these types of situations where they have gone down a slope and can’t get back up.

Getting Caught Out After Dark

How do snowshoers get caught out after dark?

Many snowshoers forget that there are fewer hours of daylight in the winter and don’t leave enough time to get back to the trailhead. They often also forget to pack a flashlight or headlamp.

How to prevent getting caught out after dark

Look up the sunset time for the day you plan to hike. If your hike takes you into a valley or is in a forest, keep in mind that it will be dark on the trail earlier than the forecasted sunset time.

Research the trail you want to snowshoe. Give yourself enough time to complete the hike before it gets dark.

And remember that snowshoeing can be MUCH slower than hiking. As well, travel times on snowshoes are very dependent on the snow conditions. I like to start my winter trips as early as possible to give myself a buffer of a few hours just in case it takes longer than I think it will.

I always pack a headlamp on every winter hike, just in case. You never know when you’ll end up hiking in the dark. A headlamp or flashlight is much brighter and will last longer than the light on your phone. And you should save the battery on your phone in case you need to call for help.

What to do if you have to hike out in the dark

Try to avoid using a light until you really need it to save batteries. Your eyes can adjust well to the dark. If you brought a headlamp or flashlight, use it once it gets really dark.

Be extra vigilant to make sure you stay on the trail – it’s a lot easier to get lost at night.

If it’s really dark and you don’t have a light, don’t keep hiking. You’ll just get lost or fall and hurt yourself. Stay put and call for help.

Frostbite

What is frostbite?

Frostbite happens when your skin and tissue get so cold that they freeze. Frostbite can cause permanent damage.

The most common way to get frostbite is when skin is exposed to cold air. The first symptoms of frostbite are numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling. As it gets worse, frostbite will start to feel painful and the skin will change colour and feel firmer.

How to prevent frostbite

Bundle up! Protect all your exposed skin from the cold winter air. Wear layers, warm gloves and a hat. (Read more about what to wear winter hiking and snowshoeing.) Consider bringing backups in your pack so you can add a layer or swap damp gear for dry.

In very cold temperatures you may want to wear a balaclava and ski goggles to make sure you have no exposed skin.

Check the weather. If exceptionally cold temperatures or high winds are forecast, stay indoors. The risk of frostbite increases greatly when temperatures are below -15°C/5°F.

What to do if you get frostbite

Frostbitten tissue is very sensitive and vulnerable. Don’t try to rub it to warm it up, as you can damage it. Get out of the backcountry and to medical attention as soon as possible to have professionals rewarm the affected tissue.

Falling Into Water

How do snowshoers fall into water in the winter?

Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy to accidentally fall through thin ice on lakes or streams. Or you might be crossing when you think is a depression in the snow, that turns out to actually be a creek bed. You could crash through the snow bridge over the top of a creek and end up in the water.

Being wet and cold in the winter is dangerous. It can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. No bueno.

How to avoid falling into water in the winter

Know your surroundings! Use a map or GPS app to figure out if you’re actually walking on a frozen lake or stream.

Ice needs to be at least 4″ (10cm) thick to safely walk on it. However, keep in mind that ice is usually not the same thickness across an entire body of water. It may be thinner in some areas, especially where there is moving water.

Keep an eye out for hidden stream crossings as well, especially early and late in the winter. If there’s a trench in the snow, it’s likely there’s a creek flowing underneath. You can use hiking poles to probe the depth of the snow to see if it is thick enough to cross. If in doubt, turn around.

What to do if you fall into water in the winter

If you fall through ice into deep water, try to remain calm and get out of the water as soon as possible.

Try to hoist your torso onto the ice, then use your feet to propel the rest of you onto the ice. Once all of your body is on the ice, roll towards the shore. If you get up, you risk breaking through the ice again. After you are onshore, begin treatment for hypothermia (see above).

If you plunge your feet or lower body into a creek by falling through a snow bridge, climb up out of the creek as soon as you can. The sides of the creek bed may be very steep, so consider taking off your snowshoes so you can kick steps.

Once you are out, remove your wet boots and socks. Try to get as much water out of your boots as possible before they freeze. Change into dry socks if possible. Get out of the backcountry to somewhere you can warm up and dry off as soon as possible. Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Avalanches

What is an avalanche?

Many people associate avalanches with skiing, but avalanche knowledge is also an important part of snowshoeing safety. An avalanche happens when snow slides down a slope.

Michael says it’s easy to recognize avalanche terrain: “If it looks like you could ski it – it’s avalanche terrain. For snowshoers, if it looks like you could butt-slide down it – it’s avalanche terrain.”

Another thing Michael says is important to keep in mind: “avalanches are most often triggered by people... most of the time people are on the slope when the avalanche starts.” Avalanches can bury people, causing them to suffocate to death.

Even if people aren’t buried, avalanches also cause grave injuries since they carry people downhill, banging into trees and rocks along the way.

How to avoid getting caught in an avalanche

1. Take an avalanche training course

Every snowshoer should take an avalanche training course. You can find course listings and more information on Avalanche.ca or Avalanche.org. When you snowshoe keep the terrain in mind.

Michael says “steep terrain means more exposure to avalanches.” Avoid steep slopes and the area directly below steep slopes until you have avalanche training and can evaluate the risks.

Summer hiking trails often travel right through avalanche terrain. Just because somewhere is safe in the summer doesn’t make it safe in winter.

2. Check the avalanche forecast

If you don’t have avalanche training and the forecast is rated anything except “low”, don’t go. Michael says “Avalanche accidents don’t happen when the forecast is ‘extreme’, ‘considerable’, or ‘low’. They happen when the forecast is ‘moderate’. When the forecast is ‘extreme’ it’s obviously dangerous, and when it’s ‘low’, it’s obviously not dangerous. At ‘moderate’, people say ‘I think it’s okay’…” but then it isn’t.”

3. Bring avalanche safety gear

If you plan to travel in avalanche terrain (or if you’re not sure if it is avalanche terrain), you should bring avalanche safety gear. That means an avalanche transceiver (also called a beacon), a probe and a shovel. Everyone in your group needs their own gear and training in how to use it.

What to do if you get caught in an avalanche

If you are in an avalanche, try to grab onto something to avoid being swept downhill. If you are swept away, try to stay on the surface of the slide by “swimming”. When the avalanche slows down, try to push yourself towards the surface.

If possible, try to get part of your body sticking out of the snow.  Make an air pocket in front of your face so you can breathe. Try to relax and stay calm as you wait for rescue.

Rescuers will use their transceivers and probes to locate you under the snow, then dig you out using shovels. Take an avalanche class to learn the best way to locate and recover a person buried by an avalanche.

Glissading Injuries

How do snowshoers injure themselves glissading?

Glissading is just a French word for sliding down a snowy slope on your butt. Mountaineers use this technique to descend a mountain quickly and snowshoers often do it for fun. However, it’s easy to injure yourself by going too fast, sliding into something, or catching on something.

How to prevent glissading injuries

Assess the slope before you slide. Make sure you can see the run-out and there aren’t rocks, trees, etc. you will hit along the way. As well, don’t glissade on the main trail. You could hit other people and it makes the path icy and dangerous for others who choose to walk. Be mindful of avalanche conditions. Glissades can cause avalanches.

Remove your snowshoes or microspikes before you glissade. Having a spike catch on the way down is the most common way people injure themselves glissading. When you catch a spike it can send you flying head over heels, break bones, or sprain your ankles and knees.

Use an ice axe or ski pole as a brake to keep your speed under control.

What to do if you injure yourself glissading

Assess the injuries and administer first aid. Call search and rescue for help when necessary.

Tree Wells

What is a tree well? Why are they dangerous?

A tree well is a hollow area at the base of a tree. The branches above the hollow collect snow, causing an empty area of powdery snow to collect near the tree trunk. The same phenomenon can occur in a boulder field where gaps between the rocks get covered in snow, hiding the openings beneath.

When a person falls into a tree well, it can be difficult to escape since the snow is so powdery. Usually, people fall into the tree well headfirst. People have suffocated to death in tree wells when no one was around to help them.

How to avoid tree wells

Use caution when snowshoeing or hiking near trees. Assume all trees have tree wells. They may be well hidden. Always snowshoe with a friend and keep an eye out for each other. Clip a whistle on to the strap of your backpack to use to call for help if you do fall in.

What to do if you do fall into a tree well

Don’t panic. Keep your breathing steady and try to find an air pocket. Try not to move too much. If you move, it will just cause the loose snow to pack in around you. If you can, grab part of the tree and hang on to keep from falling in further.

Use your whistle to call for help. Friends can help dig you out, being careful to keep your airway clear.

Dehydration

How do snowshoers get dehydrated?

When it’s cold out, it’s easy to forget to drink. As well, water bottles can ice up and hydration pack hoses can freeze over, making drinking impossible.

Dehydration doesn’t just make you feel thirsty. It can cause muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, and nausea. It can also make you feel so fatigued that you can’t keep hiking or so disoriented that you end up lost.

How to prevent dehydration when snowshoeing

Start by camel-ing up. Chug water in the car on the way there. Remind yourself (and your friends) to have a drink each time you stop for a break.

Pack your water in an insulated bottle to keep it from freezing. If you’re using a regular bottle, store it upside down to prevent the lid from icing up.

If you use a hydration pack get a tube insulator for it. Another pro tip: each time you take a drink from your hose, blow air back into the tube to force the water back into the reservoir and out of the tube. It freezes faster in the tube.

Bring a thermos of warm tea, coffee or hot chocolate to enjoy during your lunch break. Or pack a stove and make a hot drink or some soup.

Get more advice in my tips for winter hiking

What to do if you get dehydrated

Drink and rest until you feel better. Don’t try to eat snow – it actually takes more heat from your body to melt the snow than it’s worth. If it’s serious, call search and rescue for help.

Blisters

What causes blisters? Why are they a problem?

Blisters form when your skin gets irritated or damaged from friction or pressure. Blisters and other foot problems can be severe enough to make snowshoeing difficult or impossible.

Snowshoers and winter hikers are especially susceptible to blisters for a few reasons: They are often wearing heavy socks that can bunch up or cause your feet to get sweaty. Snow dripping into boots can cause blisters. The increased rubbing of snowshoe or microspike straps can cause blisters. And finally, the uneven snow surface causes your feet to be less stable in your shoes, causing more foot movement and rubbing than on the bare ground.

How to prevent blisters

There’s actually so much to know about this topic that I wrote an entire post about how to prevent blisters. Head over there to read it.

But here are the main points for snowshoers: Keep your feet dry, both from snow and sweat. Pay attention to the way your boots, socks, snowshoes, and microspikes fit. If it doesn’t feel good, change something. Don’t wait until a blister has formed.

How to treat blisters

There’s a whole section on blister treatment in my post about blister prevention. But in a nutshell, carry bandaids, medical tape, and blister dressings on every hike. Treat your blisters early so they don’t get worse.

Getting Caught in a Storm

Why are winter storms dangerous for snowshoers?

Winter storms can bring exceptionally cold weather and high winds. Swirling fog and snow can also reduce visibility, making navigation really difficult.

Winter storms often combine with other dangers on this list such as hypothermia, getting lost, avalanches, and frostbite, sometimes with tragic outcomes. Michael says: “when it’s actively snowing the visibility is bad, your tracks are getting buried, and the snow is becoming less stable, which makes avalanches more likely.”

How to avoid getting caught in a storm

Check the weather forecast before your trip and plan to go another time if it looks bad. Keep an eye on changing weather conditions as you snowshoe and be prepared to turn back. Carry extra warm clothing, navigation gear and an emergency shelter like a space blanket just in case.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

What to do if you get caught in a storm

Bundle up in warm clothing and keep exposed skin covered. If you can stay on the trail and hike out, do it. If not, find a sheltered spot or dig a snow cave and settle down to wait it out.

Cornices

What are cornices? Why are they dangerous?

A cornice is a mass of overhanging snow that wind forms on the top of a mountain or ridge. They can break off unexpectedly, sometimes well back from the edge, causing anyone standing on them to fall.

In 2017, five snowshoers fell to their deaths when a cornice collapsed on Mount Harvey, near my home in Vancouver. Michael says that cornices are something that doesn’t get talked about often when it comes to snowshoeing safety, but more people should know about.

How to avoid cornices

Know how cornices form and be careful to stay well back from the edge on slopes where cornices can occur.

What to do if you are in a cornice fall

If you are on a cornice that collapses, you are essentially now in an avalanche. Follow the advice for surviving an avalanche above.

Your Ego

Why is your ego dangerous for snowshoers?

Accidents aren’t usually the result of one big mistake. Instead, a cascade of small mistakes or bad decisions builds up to cause a dangerous situation.

Our egos often make us push forward to the summit when it’s safer to turn around. Or they make us keep going when we are lost, instead of backtracking. Our egos also make us afraid to tell our adventure buddies that we aren’t confident in the situation since we don’t want to look weak.

We can also fall victim to confirmation bias. Essentially, confirmation bias makes us think that since we’ve done something like this before and nothing bad happened then, nothing bad will happen this time.

A lot of people don’t realize the potential dangers of a situation until something goes wrong. Sometimes that just means getting a little bit lost, but other times it can be far more tragic.

How to keep your ego in check when snowshoeing

Keeping your ego in check is a key component of snowshoeing safety. Stay humble. Be okay with turning around. Check-in with your snowshoeing buddies and make sure you are all okay with the conditions periodically.

Your number one goal each time you go into the wilderness should be returning safely. Summiting a peak, reaching a viewpoint, or getting a killer shot for Instagram are all lower priority.

In Michael’s experience, “intermediates get into trouble” most often, not beginners. That’s because people with an intermediate level of experience have enough skills to get themselves into more challenging situations, but they don’t always have the knowledge to assess the risks of those situations. In Michael’s words “they don’t know what they don’t know… and confirmation bias is kicking in.”

What to do if your ego gets the best of you

Try to take a step back and assess the situation with a clear head. The bravest thing to do is admit you made a bad decision and take steps to reverse it.

Final Thoughts

So there’s all the ways you could get into trouble snowshoeing and winter hiking. I hope you never find yourself in any of these situations, but if you do, at least now you’ll have a better idea of what to do.

And honestly, the wilderness gets the best of us sometimes, even if we think we are super-prepared and know about snowshoeing safety. Have any of these situations happened to you while snowshoeing? Leave a comment and tell me about it.

More snowshoeing and winter hiking advice:

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• Microspikes vs. Crampons vs. Snowshoes: What’s the Difference?
• The Best Boots For Snowshoeing
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)
• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

More outdoor safety advice:

• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike

The post Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.