By Cindy Renee Provencio
One of the beautiful things about living in Southwest New Mexico in the high desert mountains is the beautiful hiking weather all year around, even in winter months. Many winter days bring temperatures that are perfect for a day hike. However, the more experience I gain as a hiker and backpacker the more I realize how important it is to pack a robust day pack for my hikes, especially in the winter. A sunny warm day can turn to bitter cold as soon as 4:30 pm rolls around and an unexpected delay on a hike can turn deadly if you are not prepared with proper layers and gear.
On a warm December day, I set out on a 6-mile day hike with a friend to the iconic Twin Sisters near Silver City, New Mexico. Despite careful planning and a great start to the hike, our return was delayed due to a 2-mile detour to avoid a steep descent and a slower pace because my friend’s new hiking shoes had caused painful blisters on her toes. What I expected to be a 3-4 hour hike turned into a 6.5 hour hike. We got back to our vehicle right at nightfall, despite starting with plenty of time at 11:30 am.
We were both prepared with our layers though there were a couple of things I didn’t realize I had forgotten, like a pair of gloves and a charging cord for my portable charger. Luckily, my friend had a spare pair of gloves and my phone/GPS didn’t die before we got to the car. I lent her my headlamp and used the built in flashlight on my charger. She realized she needed to add a headlamp to her day pack and I realized I needed to add gloves and a few other items to mine. I also realized that had we been out there longer even by just an hour, my layers would not have been enough. I had grabbed an extra layer on my way out that morning, but neglected to pack it, so it stayed in the car. My legs were already very cold when we got to the vehicle so I decided I need to add fleece leggings to my wardrobe. It was a learning experience for me. All the things that I could have done differently and how things could have turned out much worse ran through my mind for days. I also think about the friends I hike with who typically just bring small hydration packs. Had I been with any one of those friends, our hike to the Twin Sisters certainly could have turned out differently had we not been adequately prepared for the delay. As a CDT ambassador I take the responsibility of my safety and the safety of those I hike with seriously.
When I first started hiking a couple of years ago I used to only bring water and snacks but no layers, no rain jacket, no headlamp or first aid kit. Now, I hike with these items in my day pack all year round. Packing extra layers you don’t think you need can save your life in an unexpected delay or unexpected change in weather, especially in winter months. The items that should be in a winter day pack vary based on the winter climate of the region where you are hiking. In the areas around Silver City, NM, it snows 1-3 times a year. At 6,000-8,000 feet of elevation, where I typically hike, the snow melts in a few days so gear I need is different from gear needed for higher elevations with lasting snowpack.
If you are not already winter day hiking with appropriate gear for your climate, I highly recommend you start. It could save your life. In the winter these are the items I now hike with:
- Warm, long-sleeve synthetic base layer – try to avoid cotton and have something that wicks moisture
- Fleece or wool leggings – typically worn underneath my hiking pants or packed
- Fleece or wool mid layer sweater
- Insulating jacket with a hood
- Wind/rain gear
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunblock
- Face mask and/or neck gaiter
- Gloves
- Extra socks
- Headlamp (rather than a handheld flashlight) and extra batteries
- Portable charger – don’t forget the charging cord!
- GPS Navigation system that works offline such as the GAIA maps phone app
- SOS device (also a GPS system)
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Lighter to start a fire in an emergency
- Plenty of water and snacks
- Backup map and compass
- Emergency blankets (I just ordered a few of these to add to my pack)
It has taken me time to gather all these items, but it was worth the investment to ensure my safety on my day hikes that are getting more ambitious in miles and elevation gain. I encourage the casual day hiker to take charge of their safety with a robust day pack appropriate for each season. I also encourage day hikers to take time to learn about illnesses related to the elements like hypothermia, altitude sickness, and heat stroke. I realize that not everyone can take a Wilderness First Aid course, nonetheless, there is a wealth of information on the internet. Watching Wilderness First Aid videos on YouTube is a great way to pass the time in quarantine. Basic wilderness first aid knowledge and a well-stocked day pack go hand in hand when it comes to safety in the outdoors. I’d suggest you take a moment to consider what you need to add to your day pack.
