Cold Climate Hiking

1. Cold Climate Hiking Focusing on Victoria

2. lessons • 1 About the weather • 2 Clothing • 3 Equipment • 4 Dangers • 5 Handy Hints • 6 Food and water • 7 Shelters • 8 Where we will go, bring in gear. • 9 Victoria’s snow regions

3. The weather • To put this in perspective, your fridge is normally around 2 to 4 degrees C.

4. The temperature is generally colder the higher you go. Every 100m will drop half to 1 degree Celcius. 5 degrees in a 500 meter vertical climb. Snow line typically somewhere above about 1000 m. Wind makes a HUGE difference, shelter from it, and build barriers when required. The weather can change quickly from good to bad. Foggy conditions can cause white out where visibility can be down to only a few meters. The Weather

5. Wind Chill • - Wind causes faster heat loss. • - Wind chill temperature is the equivalent cooling effect of exposed skin in wind. • - It does not represent the thermometer temperature. • You wont cool below the actual temperature, but you will cool faster. • At 5 degC and 30kph wind the equivalent temperature is -6 degrees.

6. Apparent TemperatureThe Australian BOM uses a slightly different calculation. See Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Assumes an appropriately dressed person, 70% relative humidity.This is probably a more realistic chart for Australian conditions

7. Clothing to bring • Clothing • Thermals next to skin legs and top (bring 2 pairs) (will draw water from skin) • Shirt - Wool shirt if possible, or warm fiber shirt • Warm Jacket - Wool , polarfleece etc • Another Jacket • Outer layer windproof and waterproof with hood • Waterproof pants • Waterproof boots • Wool/synthetic mix thick socks x 2 or 3 pairs. Bring spares. • Gators • Beanie • Gloves • Sun glasses • Waterproof top should be ventilated – waterproofing may trap sweat so keep ventilated if possible when on the move. • Wool inner garments are good, it remains warm when damp. • No Cotton – it is cold when it gets wet. • Synthetic fibers can be pretty good these days

8. Clothing Rules • Clean – keep it clean don’t lose its isulation • Overheating – don’t sweat • Loose and in layers • Dry - keep it dry • Examine – for wear and defects • Repair as required • Layers provide air layers for good insulation, and are easier to control the temperature.

9. Clothing - feet • Two or 3 pairs socks • Waterproof boots • Insulated boots • Not too tight to restrict circulation and warm air layers • Carry spare socks • Gators • Change when wet • Dry your boots, but not too hot so they crack • Leather boots can get wet and freeze overnight

10. Equipment to bring • Equipment • Snow shovel • Very good sleeping bag – snow rated • Backpack, waterproof lining garbage bag • Blow up insulated camping mat • Snow tent pegs, big fat plastic ones • Compact dome tent • Take shelter with you, don’t rely on finding it • GPS, Map, compass. Being lost is bad. • + your other normal gear

11. Dangers • Hypothermia • Frost bite • Sun blind • Sweat • Sun burn • Dehydration • Wet • Lost • Falling • Deep in snow • White out • Sliding down hills

12. Dangers – HypothermiaWhen your core body temperature gets too cold to function Symptoms will come in roughly this order • Mild shivering, cool pale skin • Uncontrollable shivering, hands feet especially, less alert, worse co-ordination • Violent shivering, difficulty speaking, Poor decision making • Become irrational, difficulty breathing • Shivering slows and stops • Slow breathing, difficulty with speech • dilated pupils, Unconsciousness, Death. Treatment • Stop heat loss, and get the core warmer. • Stop, get dry and warm. • Provide heat • Shelter • Make dry – A fire might help (but don’t expose to direct heat). • Remove wet clothes and replace with dry. • Warm fluids if drinking • Energy food like chocolate • Warm the throat, armpits and groin, NOT legs and arms, strip down and get in sleeping bag together, warm with body heat or warm bottles etc. • No rubbing or massage • Keep them still • Warm, not HOT. Contributing factors • Hunger – keep the fuel and metabolism burning with regular energy food. • Dehydration – keep up the liquids even though this is a bit counter intuitive • Alcohol makes things worse not better. • Fatigue – when your body is worn and can’t keep the heat up above the heat loss

13. Dangers - Frost bite When extremities freeze Symptoms - 3 levels 1. Skin surface (Frostnip) - White and yellow patches, usually on fingers, ears, toes, nose. Usually no permanent damage 2. Superficial frostbite - More skin White waxy and firm Numb, blue or purple outline will cause blisters after a couple of days. No major damage. 3. Deep frostbite - Muscles, blood vessels and nerves White firm and waxy skin, forms blisters, numbness, extremely painful, goes a dark colour Can lead to amputation Treatment Warm only when it will not re-freeze, but do it as soon as possible. Flesh will become pink again. Can be painful to re-warm. Can warm with own body heat or in slightly warm water – just above body temp. Do not rub it. If it is deep black frostbite, warm it, but not with fires or warm water. Contributing factors Wet Cold Poor circulation Tight clothing Fatigue Alcohol

14. Dangers Snow blindness Caused by reflection of UV light Feels like sand in your eyes Red sore watery eyes, headache Use sun glasses, or blindfold. Will recover in a day or two.

15. Dangers Sun burn - • lips eyelids nose, use sunscreen. Dehydration – Can still happen in cold climates. Will bring on hypothermia quicker. Darker yellow urine colour is a sign. You will be drowsier, less concentration, worse speech. Lost - Mark your direction with snow blocks. Have a signal reflector or something bright.. Know the map. Know your position. Have a compass. GPS. Fallingor sliding away Be aware, watch out for slippery surfaces, false surfaces Sliding down hills White out – When everything looks white, no distinguishing points or orientation and lack of Horion. Causes: Overcast clouds, mist, fog, snowfall, windy blizards Compass is very important. GPS. Markings. May be sensible to not move. Cold and wind If it is too much, find shelter Wet – stop and get dry, it will make you cold Sweat – will make you wet, keep well ventilated when moving Deep snow – makes movement extremely slow or impossible. Show shoes help, you may need to turn back, set up camp. Be aware of how it could obstruct your plans. Communication - Make your feelings known you are getting exposed and too cold, fatigued, dehydrated etc so the group can take preventative action. Keep an eye on your buddies for signs of problems. Listen to your buddies.

16. Handy Hints • Movement – will keep you warm • Covered from head to foot. Try not to sweat • Change socks daily • Exercise face and hands • Keep look out for white waxy skin on yourself and others • Loose clothing (except thermals) • Dress in sleeping bag • Brush snow off before sheltering where it will melt • Dress in sleeping bag • Cold / Wind- Shelter from wind and cold • Communication make feelings known if cold etc.

17. Food and water • Energy used, how much food • Water hydrating • Cooking – metho no good, need fuel tablets or shellite • Don’t eat unmelted snow lowers body temperature • May use 4000-5000 calories a day. • Eat often to keep the fuel burining.

18. Where we will go • Bogong? Skene?

19. Shelters • Keep out of wind • Find natural shelter. Avoid avelanch cliffs or snow laden trees • Don’t sleep on bare ground • Don’t scatter equipment on ground to lose it • Have a fire going for morale and heat • Keep hydrated while making • Keep entrances small for heat

20. Shelter types

21. Victorias snow regions • Mt Donna Buang • Lake Mountain • Mt Baw Baw • Mt Buller • Mt Stirling • Mt Buffalo • Mt Hotham • Mt Bogong • Mt Buggery • Mt Kosciusko (NSW) • Entire high country potentially

22. Where are the mountains?

23. Victorian regions

24. Mountain heights