Cold-Weather Hikes With Tikes

Thursday, March 1, 2001

Tips For Cold-Weather Hikes With Tikes (NAPS)—There’s nothing quite so rejuvenating as a day spent exploring the late fall or winter woods. The air is crisp and bracing. Summercrowds are gone. And, if snow is blanketing the landscape—it’s a winter wonderland. Of course, before you go, you'll dress yourselves and the little PhotoDisc a Watch outfor frostbite. A child ones in layers that include: a wicking synthetic for the complaining of painful or “tingly” fingers may be in danger. a wool or synthetic fleece or Use Extra Caution Around Water In cold air, a single soaked foot from an accidental plunge can be trouble. Don’t assumethatice is thick enough to walk on. Water conducts heat away from the body base (underwear) layer; pile middle (pants and torso) layer; e and a breathable, wind- and water-repellent outer shell. Top off each outfit with a warm hat and mittens—not gloves—and warm socksandboots. Dressing properly is an essential step for a winter hike with your children. But according to Terry Krautwurst, Gorp.com contributing editor, there are some other important things you can do to ensure a safe outing. Watch The Weather Before you leave home, check the day’s forecast. If rain or wet snow—oreven a strong wind—is a possibility, consider calling the trip off. Even the best rain gear won't keep its wearer dry entirely. Wet combined with cold temperatures spells real danger. Keep Your Trips Short In winter, and especially in snow, everything takes longer. A foot of snow can more than double the time and energy it takes to hike a given distance. Add kids and a few of winter’s distrac- tions—animal tracks, snowball 25 times faster than air. So, if you can’t replace soaked shoesor clothing with dry ones, head for home. Food AndLiquid Oddly, appetites—even those of a normally ravenous child— diminish in cold temperatures. But you need to keep your family well-fed and hydrated, even though they may not feel particu- larly hungry or thirsty. A dehydrated person is much more susceptible to hypothermia. Watch For Frostbite Fingers, toes, ears and nose— those are the areas most likely to be frostbitten, and children are the ones mostlikely to fall victim. Gen- uinely frostbitten tissue appears white, but a child complaining of painful or “tingly” fingers, may be in danger. Never rub theareasrig- orously. You could damagethetissue irreversibly. Immerse the area in water that just barely feels fights, icicles, etc—and you may warm to you—it should not be hot—andcall a doctor. Lighter and caution, you and your family can explore the winter woods as well double the time again. Always Bring Matches Or A Better yet, put a full-blown commercial survival kit in your pack. But never leave home without at least a flame source for starting an emergencyfire. By exercising common sense without worry. So go ahead, with good preparation—concernfor the cold shouldn’t keep you from enjoying the outdoors.

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