During winter seasons or even in higher and higher elevations, trails will most likely be covered in snow. With the presence of snow, hikers can be very easily susceptible to slipping. HereLinks to an external site. is a list from Atmosphere listing all the equipment to bring and survival tips for if you do decide to start winter hiking! 

Why is snow dangerous for hikers? 

• It reduces visibility
  • Visibility can be reduced because of shorter daylight hours as well as the blowing snow in the air. This is why you should always carry a map and navigation tools such as a headlamp to help you find your way up the trail! 
• It increases the risk of hypothermia 
  • Hypothermia occurs when you have dangerously low core body temperature. To combat this, the best solution for this is to dress in more layers than usual and to carry with you extra dry, warm clothes in your backpack. Also, it is even more critical that you have an adequate water supply with you. Hypothermia can not only occur when it's cold, but it can also happen in moderately cool temperatures if coupled with dehydration. Often in cool, wet days, people will find themselves easily forgetting to drink water so they can get hypothermic even when the temperature is well above freezing. You can view the National Park Service's information on hypothermia here.Links to an external site.

Look how scary it is to hike in the snow! Remember to be prepared when embarking on trails in conditions like these! 

Source: https://www.beijinghikers.com/trip-reports/hiking-photos-snow-day-2010-01-03/ Photographed by Beijing Hikers. Accessed on April 2nd, 2019