Moisture Management

In Winter Hiking

As you hike your body sweats and the moisture that collects on the surface of your skin can become a potential problem, especially in the winter. It may go completely unnoticed as you hike, with your body producing all that heat. But once you stop for a break your wet upper body quickly can get cold. The chills can overtake you so quickly that you may be surprised. Hiking in a mountain wind can have the same effect as you get a little colder with every step and soon you're chilled to the bone.

I used to winter hike in my fleece jacket and only put on my breathable shell coat occasionally but I now hike in my shell and only put on my fleece occasionally. It's all an issue of moisture management for comfort and protection of your life if things go wrong. When you and your clothing are wet in cold weather you are at risk for hypothermia.

While hiking in cold conditions, I save my fleece for use in times of minimal activity. Hiking with my fleece on allowed it to get wet from perspiration, tree rain or snow. When I needed its warmth, I found it was wet. For extra safety, I pack a light down jacket in my pack. I just love to put it on when the sun goes down. While hiking, I wear polyester underwear, a nylon shirt and breathable shell. As I get warm I unzip the shell and sometimes take it off. In the wind, I prevent a chill by keeping the shell zipped. I try to never put on my fleece unless it gets very cold which sometimes occurs when the wind comes up. I try to reserve my fleece coat for breaks, wind and camp.

Always keep some of your clothing dry so you can put in one and get warm when you need it most.

Yosemite National Park

Mount Lyell

Lyell Canyon

Mount Conness