by Larry Wiggins

Created on: February 24, 2009   Last Updated: March 18, 2009

We backpack because we desire independence. We venture into new territories seeking adventure. We are lured by the vista around the next turn in the trail or at the top of the steep climb. However, there are risks backpacking and one of the most serious risks is hypothermia. Layering is both a tool and a technique to combat this risk.

Hypothermia is the lowering of the body's core temperature. It is a progressive condition that may become very dangerous in the backcountry. Symptoms can escalate from shivering and feeling uncomfortable to confusion and, if untreated, to even death. Hypothermia may occur in air temperatures warmer than most of us expect, especially if we are wet.

Our ability to stay warm is largely influenced by the clothing we wear and our ability to keep that clothing dry. Staying dry is affected by immersion in lakes and rivers or by precipitation. It is important to have changes of clothing if you would become wet due to these circumstances. Layering, however, deals with the regulation of your temperature through adding or removing various layers of clothing. Using the correct layers will minimize the accumulation of perspiration while you hike, resulting in dry clothing.

Few of us will start a backpacking trip without knowing the weather conditions to expect along the route. We pack clothing that will match the expected weather. There is a temptation to pack the same big fluffy parka that we use around town if the conditions are forecast to be similar. This is usually the wrong clothing to take. The important difference between our in-town activities and backpacking is the amount of exertion we expend backpacking verses the exertion of riding in an automobile or walking from the parking lot to a store or the office.

Consider an imaginary hiker, Dan, in the following backpacking scenario:

The day begins with Dan rolling out of the tent and preparing breakfast while packing to start the day's hike. The morning is cold and Dan dons his parka. He departs from the campsite in this attire and soon warms as the trail goes up a steep climb. Since the morning was so cold, the extra heat feels good. As the hike moves along Dan becomes even warmer and starts to perspire. Dan's inner layer becomes wet with perspiration and he finds himself chilling if he removes the parka. As the miles go by, Dan's inner layer of clothing becomes saturated with sweat.

The dampness really becomes noticeable at lunch time when the activity level decreases. Dan quickly cools

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