4
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
Image:North Hiking.jpg|December hitchhiking to the [[Yukon]] in northern [[Canada]]. Coldest day was -45°C
Image:Cold90.jpg|[[User:Chael777|Chael]] warming up in Montana on the i90 in December.
no edit summary
== Additional gear for winter ==
When hitchhiking in winter, temperatures can be very low. In case of longer waiting times, bad weather conditions and other things, please secure yourself with following gear (in addition to common essentials like described in here => [http://www.backpackingtrailmaiden.netcom/ten-essl.html this essentials-the-ultimate-list/ common essentials]):
'''Boots''' (keeping your feet warm and dry is extremely important):
'''Optional''':
* Hand warmers (e.g., "Grabber Mycoal" air-activated warmer)or [https://gearctrl.com/best-rechargeable-hand-warmers/ rechargeable hand warmers]
* Insulated water-bottle blanket
* When hitchhiking a lot in the countryside or further from the cities and petrol stations, please consider getting a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primus_stove primus stove].
* Reflective/hi-vis vest for better visibility after nightfall
== Traveling through different climate zones ==
It can be a problem when you travel from warm to cold zones or the other way around (and you like to travel light with little luggage), e.g., from South Iran to Turkey in winter. However, traveling from cold climate zone to a warm one seems to be less of a problem as when you get to the warm zone you can just ship your winter stuff back home. Nevertheless, it does not have to be costly or implies heavy luggage to travel the other way around.
=== Personal experiences ===
Hitchhiker [[User:Alex|alex]] got long woolen underwear pants and gloves from a driver in [[Iran]] before he even had the possibility to buy some (thanks, Ali!); these can be found on most markets during winter time.
Hitchhiker [[User:JackFang]] I hitchhiked across Canada in the winter from Ottawa to Vancouver. I camped outside a few times. In Manitoba the weather got below -40 C. I couchsurfed in Manitoba to survive that. In Canada there are always shelter in the winter, but they are usually full. That being said you can survive in 24 hour Tim Hortons or McDonlads. In Alberta at the Rockies I camped at -30C, that was the lowest I camped outside and I think that's enough cold for me. You can watch my experience here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tXf6W87_kU
[[File:2001 Hitch-hiking in Russia.jpg|thumb|280px|right|[[User:Sigurdas|Sigurdas]] hitch-hiking towards [[Murmansk]] from [[St. Petersburg]]. Winter 2001.]]
== General Advice ==
If you do not have experience in surviving outside in cold conditions, perhaps hitchhiking isn't the best way to find out what it's like. It is good practice to inform people exactly where you are going, and when you expect to reach your destination. You should also bring money with you; enough to buy food and to afford a hostel, in case things turn bad. Having knowledge of the weather forecast is also advised, so you have awareness of how the weather will be over a longer period of time. Finally, you should have a complete backup plan, in case you are forced to give up. This might include taking public transport or returning home.
== Equipment you might need ==
* Gas lamp
* Bivvy bag
== Sleeping Outside ==
Once this is done, you can set up your tent and sleeping bag. Put on as many clothes as you can wear. If you have wet clothes on, consider changing out of them if at all possible. Do not expose your skin to the air, if it is extremely cold.
Regarding sleeping bags for extreme winter conditions (below -40C), forget about the manufacture's survival rating or how much money you spent on that Everest Down Sleeping Bag. For guys planning to hitchhike to the North Pole, buy a portable propane heater and drag a sleigh of propane tanks.
[[Category:General info]]
Image:Parnu-riga.jpg|Hitchhiking in [[Estonia]]
Image:Erzurum.JPG|Early morning and -25°C in [[Erzurum]], one of the coldest places in [[Turkey]]; leaving the town towards West.
</gallery>
[[trash:Winter]]
