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1. Pack Adequate Cold-Weather Clothing. Temperatures in the north during winter are generally below 0°C, so your clothing should prioritize being lightweight, comfortable, sporty, and warm. It’s recommended to bring down jackets, wool sweaters, wool pants, hats, gloves, and scarves. Also, indoor and outdoor temperatures vary greatly, so adjust your clothing accordingly—such as taking off your coat and hat once indoors.
Additionally, the north is often icy and snowy in winter, making roads slippery. Wearing leather boots increases the risk of slipping, so it’s best to wear snowproof, anti-slip cotton shoes, preferably lined with cotton or wool to protect your ankles. Cotton shoes should also have insoles, and it’s advisable to choose a size larger than your normal shoes to give your feet enough space and promote blood circulation.
2. Bring Skin Care Products and Common Medications. Winter weather is dry and cold, which can cause skin to crack, so oil-based skincare products are preferable. Also, the dry air can make you feel thirsty often, so it’s recommended to place some water in your room at night to increase indoor humidity. Moreover, since it’s cold in winter, prepare some cold medicine and common medications for your trip.
3. Equip a Car Cup Holder. Many hikers enjoy road trips as it allows them to carry more gear. However, one downside of driving long distances is driver fatigue or even driving while dehydrated, both of which are major safety risks. Especially in winter, the air inside the car is dry and stale, and staying focused in such an environment for extended periods can lead to faster dehydration than usual. Dehydration worsens fatigue and increases driving hazards.
Experts recommend that every driver going on a self-driving trip should have a suitable and professional car cup, ideally made from healthy materials, leak-proof, slip-resistant, designed for one-handed drinking, and with excellent insulation to fully meet drinking needs during winter road trips.
4. Strengthen Cold Resistance Training. Before departure, you can engage in targeted cold resistance exercises, and pack enough clothing and daily necessities according to the severity of the cold at your destination. Also, try to minimize exposed skin. When hiking in snowy areas, apply anti-freeze ointment to your hands and face, avoid wearing overly tight socks and shoes, and frequently rub your face and facial features to boost blood circulation in exposed skin areas.
5. Maintain a Balanced Diet with Proper Nutrition. During winter travel, intake of the three major nutrients—protein, carbohydrates, and fat—as well as minerals and vitamins—should be higher than usual. Lean meats, eggs, fresh fish, soy products, and animal liver are highly beneficial for replenishing body heat, so consume them appropriately. Avoid staying hungry and tired in the cold outdoors for long periods, as this is when the risk of full-body frostbite is highest.
It’s worth noting that the misconception of drinking alcohol to keep warm should be corrected. Alcohol and water do not generate heat; instead, they stimulate surface blood vessels, increasing blood circulation. While you may feel “warmer,” you’re actually losing body heat.
6. Protect Your Vision. The vast snowy landscape reflects less ultraviolet light. However, when intense UV rays enter the eyes of travelers, a photochemical reaction occurs. After a latent period of 6 to 8 hours, the eyes may become sensitive to light, tear up, or even experience intense burning and severe pain—a condition medically known as snow blindness. To prevent this, wear sunglasses during snow travel.
7. Protect Your Camera. When taking photos outdoors, keep your camera in a leather case and hold it close to your chest to prevent it from malfunctioning due to the cold. When moving from the cold outdoors into a warm indoor environment, condensation may form on the camera. Taking it back outside immediately can damage its internal components and affect usability. It’s recommended to keep the camera in its case for about two hours after entering indoors to avoid condensation.