What to Bring for a Winter Hiking Trip

Travelling through some rough terrain? Make sure you packed smart for that nature-trailing ahead to assure you of an enjoyable trip. While it's a joy to gaze at nature's beauty, forgetting to bring what's necessary can cut short a supposedly great afternoon.

There's nothing worse than having to go back after a few hundred meters of walking, right? So take note of these essentials as you gear up for that hiking excursion.

• Sun protection. Eighty-five per cent of sunlight is harshly reflected by the glaciers due to the high altitude, so do not forget to bring sunscreens and sunglasses. A good after-sun balm will help your skin recover from a day of fierce sunlight and arid air.
• Waterproofs. Brewing thunderstorms are quite common during late afternoons in the French Alps. Even though it's usually warm and sundrenched up there, you'll never know so be prepared. Examples are boots, trousers, jackets and mittens.
• Clothing layers. Protection from the chilly weather is the main reason for donning several layers of clothes. Fleece is a good option for keeping warm since this fabric is very breathable and protects you from the wind. Also, it is best to avoid cotton as it soaks up sweat and leaves your feet cold. Go for any sort of polypropylene to wick the moisture away from your skin.
• Water and food. Bring your H20 in resilient containers that have secure, screw on lids. Do not go for the biking bottles with the clip-on tops, as these leak causing you to end up with no water and wet clothes. Also, pack food that has about 125 percent of the calories you regularly eat in a day to keep your metabolism going. Healthy ones like peanuts, raisins, chocolate, jerky, granola bars, and dried fruits are recommended. Be sure that what you take are enough.
• Sturdy walking shoes/boots. First, wear two pair of wool socks that are not so constricted to leave you plenty of room to move your toes. Don't use leather boots. They soak up water during daytime and freeze up overnight, leaving you with nothing to wear in the morning. There are shoes made for long or short hikes. Ask a local store owner for the right boots suited for your trip.
• First Aid Kit. Sometimes one can get so overwhelmed by the scenery that scrapes and falls happen. Keep in mind to bring along band-aids, an antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, a mini-flashlight, tweezers (for removing splinters or ticks), disposable gloves, scissors, hand sanitisers, tissues, etc. If you are taking some medications, bring them along with you on your trip as well.
• Mountain Rescue Insurance. In the event you are on a trail and you twist your ankle, a helicopter ride is the only way down but it's very expensive. Fortunately, most resorts offer this for a euro a day.

Lastly, carry your fully charged cameras and batteries with you to take home those magnificent views and to comprehensively capture your entire adventure.

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