Tuesday 06-12-2022 - 11:02

Winter Hillwalks

Hillwalking in winter is not that different from summer with two exceptions:

1. Snow, ice, and the cold make it a necessity to bring much warmer kit
2. Snow and ice mean that you might need special equipment and the knowledge to use it to move safely through the wintery hills

The second point is something we will address during our weekend in Glencoe, where Ali will show all of you who have signed up for the day out with him how to use crampons and ice axes effectively and how to stay safe in the wintery hills.

The first point is what this article is about. It is VITAL that you come prepared for winter in the mountains to ensure that you get the most out of our Winter Weekends and therefore read this carefully!

You will find a kit list at the end of this article, which we will also send out as a PDF (the website does not allow PDFs for some reason) via email.

Boots

Winter boots come in many different forms:

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to winter boots. The five boots pictured above show the wide variety of boots that can be the "right" choice for a given winter hike.
The first one might be the right choice when you just want to have a stroll in the wintery park or go up a mountain on a well-maintained, snow and ice-free path. At most, these could be used with micro-spikes, but they are NOT compatible with crampons. Due to their very flexible sole there is a very high risk of the crampons falling off while you walk.
The second boot is what is commonly known as a B1 boot. This boot is essentially a hiking boot with a slightly stiffer than average sole-construction. This it allows the use of C1 rated crampons, meaning crampons that attach to the boot with rubber bindings for the front and heel part.
The third boot is already a very technical piece of equipment and is rated as a B2 boot. It has a plastic mount at the back which allows the use of C1 crampons with heel clip bindings and a rubber band at the toes.
The fourth boot is a B3 rated boot which can be used for pretty much anything winter could throw at you in Scotland. It allows the use of C3 crampons with heel clip bindings and wire toe bails and can therefore be used for ice climbing.
The last boot is also a B3 rated boot, but specifically designed for high-altitude mountaineering and therefore nothing you have to think about in Scotland. But they look cool, so the picture made it into this article.

As long as your boots have a stiff enough sole that you cannot easily bend them with your hands in any direction, you should be fine to use them with the club's crampons. Please ask us before the weekend if you are unsure!

Some more info on how to choose the right boot can be found on the Mountaineering Scotland Website.

Clothes

Overall, your usual summer kit is the basis for winter walking. The big difference is that you will need more layers, a typical layering system in winter could look like this

1. moisture-wicking and fast drying baselayer (synthetic or wool)
2. fleece layer as the first layer of insulation; technical fleece works best, because it dries much quicker than "normal" fleece
3. active layer, usually a synthetically insulated and windproof layer
4. shell layer
5. Heavy-weight insulated jacket

#1 makes sure that any sweat (yes, you do sweat, even in the cold) is quickly transported away from your body and you stay dry. This is vital, since you lose heat much quicker if you are wet and even quicker if you wear wet clothes.
#2 and #3 are not strictly necessary and are very personal choices. You will have to test your own layering system to find out what works best for you and how hot or cold you run when hiking.
#4 waterproof jacket and trousers are essential, especially in Scottish winter. Modern Softshells can take this position as well, while providing better breathability. Waterproof shells are the safe choice.
#5 is the layer you put on over all other layers when you stop for a break. Often called a belay jacket (because it is worn when belaying your partner while climbing and therefore standing around in the cold for possibly long periods of time), ideally synthetically insulated.

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

There is a lot of information and debate around this topic out there, so we will keep it short. Both work, both have their pros and cons.
Down is generally lighter and more packable for the same amount of warmth, but loses almost all of its insulating properties if it gets wet. The fabric used for down jackets is typically very light-weight to allow the down to properly loft.
Synthetic Insulation keeps at least some of its insulating properties when it is wet. Fabrics used for synthetic jackets can be much more heavy-weight and are therefore more durable.

For winter hiking in the Scottish Highlands (and the UK in general) a synthetic belay jacket tends to be the better choice in our opinion. They are more durable, cheaper, and, most importantly, work when wet.

Wind

One major factor that can make the temperatures feel much colder than they actually are is the wind. Especially on the summits this can easily make a difference of 10°C, turning a nice 0° walk into something that feels more like an arctic expedition at -10°! To counteract this, opt for windproof gear. Your waterproof layer is also fully windproof, but you might not want to always wear them. Softshell layers, especially softshell trousers, work amazingly well in winter. They keep the wind out, keep you warm, and are even water-repellent enough to withstand light rain. Windproof gloves are essential to really enjoy long days out on the hills, again, softshell materials work well here, but leather is a more common choice for mountaineering gloves due to its higher durability and it is just as windproof.

Kit Hire

Some of the necessary kit can be provided by the club. We do, however, not have boots that we can lend to you, so you need to make sure your boot of choice works with the crampons. If you are unsure, message us and we will help you.
Kit (such as crampon-compatible boots, crampons, and ice axes) can be hired from Tiso in Glasgow. AFAWK, the student discount applies to the hire costs as well!

Kit List