Survival Guide

Survival in the Snow

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• Hello, it’s Switzerland, I’m cold in winter, especially during night.

• Bring warm clothes, don’t turn into a popsicle. Wear lots of layers, onions are never cold.

• Insulation is the word, especially for your feet. Wear good shoes (no plastic sole), socks are warm too.

• Keep yourself warm and dry, cuddle puddles are a great way for “radiative” heat transfer.

• Eat enough! Energy keeps you warm.

• Drink a lot, but don’t eat snow! Melt the snow and drink it molten.

• Never eat yellow snow!

• Alcohol and other substances may alter your sensitivity to cold. Don’t fall asleep drunk outside, hypothermia doesn’t ask for consent.

• Put sunscreen on and use sunglasses, you don’t want to be that sun-kissed.

• Don’t venture outside by yourself. It’s boring anyway.

• If you consider camping YOU MUST READ our camping guide.

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Camping Guide

Tent

For snow camping, you ideally want a “mountaineering tent” (or “4-season tent”) that’s easy and quick to set up in frigid conditions. These tents are a bit heavier than 3-season backpacking tent but offer better snow/wind protection.

A typical mountaineering tent features:

• Dome shape and an extra-strong pole structure.

• Mostly solid fabric (instead of mesh) for more warmth and strength.

• Dual doors for easy access even in bad weather

• Extra guy lines for more stability in high winds

• A “gear attic” to stow small items and free up floor space

• Large vestibule(s) for wet-gear storage or a sheltered cooking area.

Ground cloth

A ground cloth protects your tent from any water that might seep from the snow through the tent floor. Any tarpaulin will work, but a tent “footprint” (sold separately) is lightweight and is custom cut to fit your tent’s dimensions.

Sleeping pad

These provide both cushioning and insulation. For winter camping, be sure to use two full-length pads to keep from losing body heat on snowy surfaces. Pads are rated by R-value, the measurement of insulation, ranging from 1.0 to 8.0. The higher the R-value, the better it insulates.
Tip: Use a closed-cell foam pad next to the ground and a self-inflating pad on top to get the best insulation from the cold ground. The foam pad also serves as insurance in case the self-inflating pad gets punctured.

Sleeping bag

Make sure you use a bag that’s rated at least 10°C lower than the coldest temperature you expect to encounter. You can always vent the bag if you get too warm. Cold- and winter-rated bags are supplied with generous amounts of goose down or synthetic insulation. Down is the most popular choice due to its superior warmth-to-weight ratio. Just make sure to keep it dry (when wet, down loses much of its insulating ability) or use the new water-resistant down bags now on the market.
Winter bags are also distinguished by their draft tubes behind the zippers, draft collars above the shoulders and hoods to help keep the heat in the bag.

Sleeping bag liner

Using a bag liner adds extra warmth, minimizes wear and helps keep your bag cleaner. The extra layer can add 4° to 8°C of warmth.

Clothes to Bring

Hats

You lose a significant percentage of your body heat through the top of your head. Follow the old mountaineering saying: “If your feet are cold, put on a hat.” Consider windproof models such as those made from Gore Wind Stopper fabric.

Gloves & Mittens

Another must. Take extras, too, in case they get wet.

Goggles

Always protect your eyes from sun and wind. There are different lens tints for various weather conditions. Snow blindness is a thing! Bring shades.

Socks

Wear a thin, snug layer next to your skin and a second layer over it, both made of merino wool or a synthetic fabric. The thickness of your second sock is determined by your boot fit. An extra-thick sock will not keep your feet warm if it makes your boots too tight. Take extras.

Worst-Case Scenarios:

What Can Happen to You in the Snow?

Hypothermia

This is the body’s temperature decreasing due to exposure to the cold conditions. It can be life threatening. A person can become hypothermic without even noticing it.

Symptoms:

1. Shivering.

2. Slurred speech.

3. Non-communication.

4. Lethargy.

Frostbite

This happens in cold-weather conditions. Frostbite is a freezing of the tissues usually on the fingers, toes, nose or face. It is a result of heat being lost faster than the blood can circulate. In severe cases, appendages may have to be amputated.
Tip: Use chemical heat packs to help stay warm and to avoid getting frostbite.

Symptoms:

1. Numbness to an area.

2. Loss of sensitivity to touch.

3. Tingling that feels like burning.

4. Shivering.

5. Skin appears red and then white-to-purple

Dehydration

Even when the temperature is low, you can still get dehydrated and that’s not good for your kidneys, heart or brain. So drink plenty of water—even if you’re not thirsty. Drink before you become thirsty.
Tip: Keep the fluids flowing in freezing weather with an insulated reservoir and tubing.
A good way to determine if you’re drinking enough is to check the colour of your urine. If it’s dark, you are dehydrated. If it’s pale in colour, you’re doing a good job hydrating!

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​Other symptoms of dehydration in extreme temperatures:

1. Increased heart rate.

2. Dry mouth.

3. Dizziness.

4. Muscle cramps.

5. Confusion.

6. Weakness.

Stay warm! Eat enough! Drink water!