When hiking during the cold winter months with low temperatures, special attention should be paid to frostbite. On mountains, the temperature drops by 1 degree Celsius for every 150 meters increase in altitude. Additionally, the cold wind further lowers the perceived temperature. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause blood vessels in the extremities to constrict for extended periods, leading to tissue damage and frostbite. How can this be prevented?

 

◇If you feel pain or numbness, it's dangerous... you need to warm up quickly.

 

It is natural to feel slight coldness in the hands and feet when climbing a mountain in winter. However, if the cold sensation progresses to pain and numbness, and it becomes difficult to tie shoelaces or handle small objects, it should be considered a warning sign. Especially when you go to a warm place, the skin may itch and feel cold, accompanied by stabbing pain, and the skin may swell and turn red. If it worsens, the skin may turn blue or black, leading to necrosis, and continued exposure to cold can cause skin tissue to decay within 5 to 6 hours. In the worst case, the infected area may need to be amputated.

Frostbite requires prompt initial treatment. If sensation has dulled, move the affected area constantly to restore feeling, and quickly warm it. It is best to move to a warm place and soak the frostbitten area in water at a temperature slightly higher than body temperature, around 36-38°C, for about 30 minutes, then wrap it with dry gauze. If immediate immersion in warm water is not possible, the area should be warmed gradually to body temperature. However, do not expose the frostbitten area directly to a campfire, heater, or hot pack, or rub or massage it. These actions can worsen tissue damage.

 

◇ Wear thick-soled hiking boots and tie your shoelaces comfortably.

 

To prevent frostbite during winter mountain hikes, clothing is very important. Instead of wearing a thick hiking suit, layer multiple clothes and wear a warm hat such as a balaclava to maintain body temperature. Hiking boots should be lightweight but with thick soles and somewhat broken-in. It is helpful to wear enough socks and tie the shoelaces loosely to allow some room, which helps prevent frostbite. For gloves, wear waterproof and breathable gloves or wool or fleece gloves, then add an over-glove to prevent them from getting wet. Continuing to hike with wet gloves, socks, or hiking boots is a direct route to frostbite. Wet clothing can quickly drain body heat up to 240 times faster. Always bring extra warm clothing, socks, and gloves, and change into dry ones whenever they get wet.

 

◇ Come down before 4 PM and avoid if you have diabetes or high blood pressure

 

When planning a winter hike, it is best to design the course so that you can descend before 4 p.m. Since the sun sets quickly in winter, the temperature drops further and it gets dark by 4 p.m., increasing the risk of getting lost. Additionally, patients with diabetes or hypertension have weakened blood vessels, making it difficult to regulate body temperature and more vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite. It is advisable to avoid winter hikes.

 

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When I was young, I used to get frostbite at school.

It seems like there were a lot of children.

 

It's not like that these days, but

Frostbite is for those managing blood sugar levels.

You especially need to be careful.