BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 18, 2025
We knew it was going to be alarmingly cold that day based on the weather reports. When hiking in the cold, it’s best to sweat as little as possible because that moisture cools your body down quickly when you slow down or stop for a break. In preparation, I packed a wool shirt that I could change into if I became too sweaty. It takes a lot of energy to stay warm, so we packed extra snacks. And as usual, we carried survival gear. Hypothermia was our primary concern. This is when your body temperature drops low enough that things stop working properly, and this can rapidly lead to death. Windmilling your arms helps restore circulation to your fingers. Another trick for staying warm is to drink lots of water. This thins your blood and therefore improves circulation. Most important is to keep moving.