Winter weather hiking - more tired
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- LoveThisSite
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Winter weather hiking - more tired
I have consistently noticed that I'm far more tired after a winter weather hike (as compared to the exact same hike in summer conditions). Aside from the obvious fact that I'm carrying more weight in winter in my backpack, and wearing heavier boots - is there anything intrinsically about cold weather that can cause this? Body burning more energy to maintain heat? The difference is quite remarkable for me, especially 14er climbs.
- Tornadoman
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
I really think it is a combination of factors. It seems that even pretty trivial amounts of snow on the ground (say 3-6 inches) slow me down a fair amount. Add a few pounds of extra weight for gear with a bulkier pack, a couple more pounds on the feet for more serious boots, and that really adds up over the course of a day. Make the snow deeper where I am using snowshoes and I REALLY slow down.
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- cottonmountaineering
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
i think the biggest difference for me is wearing heavy boots instead of trail runners, breaking trail in the snow also takes a lot of energy
- mtree
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Its a combination of things. For me, the extra effort to lift my legs just from wearing snow pants adds up. I figure I'm carrying about 10 lbs more than summer hikes... mostly in clothes. And, yes, your body is working harder to stay warm. You're burning calories faster than normal, breathing harder, and probably sweating considerably more which means you're dehydrating at a faster rate. Winter terrain and all the extra gear messes with your normal hiking gait and pace which is pounding the crap out of your body. Add in the extra mental effort and you have the makings for a tiring day. So yeah, apples to apples I'm waaaay more tired after a winter hike than summer hike.
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
For me, the winter wind is rather exhausting to deal with. It strips away more warmth than the cold air would otherwise take, and I find it demoralizing to have to hike into the wind when above treeline.
- Tornadoman
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Oh the class winter peak hike-- "Trudging through this deep snow is so tiring I can't wait to get to treeline", followed by "this wind is terrible, I can't wait to get back into the trees".
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Been there!Tornadoman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 9:35 amOh the class winter peak hike-- "Trudging through this deep snow is so tiring I can't wait to get to treeline", followed by "this wind is terrible, I can't wait to get back into the trees".
Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Most outdoorsy people are also more out of shape in winter, which can make a difference.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
I guess I'm somewhat glad that it's not just me
Scott - physically I'm in the same shape (if not in better shape in winter) - so at least for me that's not a factor.
Scott - physically I'm in the same shape (if not in better shape in winter) - so at least for me that's not a factor.
- mtree
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Same here. Mostly because I'm hiking in winter!LoveThisSite wrote: ↑Tue Dec 08, 2020 10:53 am Scott - physically I'm in the same shape (if not in better shape in winter) - so at least for me that's not a factor.
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
just like altitude, exercising in the heat can boost blood plasma volume. some athletes use heat training as a kind of poor man's altitude training, to get a similar effect. so if you're exercising consistently in the heat, your fitness level is going to be higher. when it gets colder in winter, you lose that heat training effect and can see some reduction in fitness metrics.
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- nyker
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Re: Winter weather hiking - more tired
Have found lots of factors including those mentioned above...also fewer hours of daylight may produce more melatonin making you more tired, but it's probably just an energy thing. In colder weather your body is also now working to warm itself up (spending energy-kcals), carrying extra gear weight, maybe walking on less stable footing (losing energy slipping) or deep snow, PLUS hiking...