The dangers lurking in the snowy or icy terrain result both from its shape and difficulties in walking, and nagging cold. In polar conditions, avoiding sweating is a bigger problem than keeping warm. When setting off on snowy or icy high mountain routes or in the polar regions, you must have the right equipment and physical condition. Moving in snow and ice, even in the temperate zone, is very difficult and dangerous. Without proper preparation and a good plan, it is better not to go on snowy wilderness trips.
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Troublesome cold in the polar and high countries, snow-covered mountains, requires appropriate dress. Moving in snow or ice is possible thanks to specialized equipment – skis or snowshoes. Ice axes and ice hammers used by mountaineers are necessary to overcome dangerous glaciers. When dressing heavily, remember to ventilate and cool yourself, to avoid sweating or overheating. Therefore, the outer garment should have zippers. It is best to wear onions when it is very cold. Extremely low temperatures and icy, breaking into every crack, the winds force us to cover even the smallest scraps of skin, to avoid serious frostbite. Goggles are an extremely important element of the equipment of a polar explorer or climber, protecting against snow blindness.
Cold, snow and ice
If you are going to mountain glaciers or polar regions, the clothing should consist of several layers. There is air between each layer, which perfectly insulates the body against the cold.
Pickax
It is forged in hard ice. It is also used for belaying, and in the event of a fall it can be used to slow down skidding on ice.
Trousers
Over the pants or dungarees, you can also put on warm nylon pants. They should have zippers on the fly and back, so that they do not have to be removed if necessary.
Hood
It has to be wide enough, so that it also partially covers the face. You also need to wear a warm hat on your head.
Skafander – Jacket
It should provide protection against the wind, and at the same time allow breathing. It also needs to be spacious enough, so that you can wear a few more layers of clothing under it and maintain freedom of movement. It is advisable, so that it has a light lining.
Gloves
Hands should protect as many as three layers from frostbite. Gloves with fingers are put on directly on the hands, which protect the skin from contact with cold metal when handling tools. The second layer is woolen, warm gloves. Only the impregnated ones slide over them, huge gloves on a string, so as not to lose them.
Ice hammer
It is used for driving ice screws, which act as safety points. While climbing, you can stick its beak into the ice and grab the handle by pulling it up.
Boots
Snow and ice boots consist of an outer shell, plastic shell and warm, a soft shoe inside. The inserts can be used in a tent and while camping. Shoes should be loose enough, so that you can put on several pairs of thin and thick socks.
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
The goggles protect your eyes from the sun's rays reflected from the glacier; protect against snow blindness. Crampons enable walking on slippery ice, and snowshoes – crossing an area covered with fossil snow without collapsing. The ice ax has many functions to enable, among others, going steep, ice slopes; a ski pole helps you keep your balance.
