What Is Postholing? How Can I Avoid It?
If winter hiking is on your to-do list, there’s a term that you might hear get thrown around: postholing. Before you step out onto those snowy trails, it’s good to know what it means and how to work around it during your trek.
The term comes from fence-making; stable posts are needed to anchor the fence every couple of meters, so builders will dig a foot or two down into the earth, plunge a thick fence post in, and secure that post by filling in dirt or concrete around it.
Now imagine that, but with your leg instead of a post. And instead of dirt and concrete, snow.
Photo by Ferran Traité on iStock
Chances are, if you’ve ever walked around in deep snow, you’ve postholed. It happens when your legs sink into deep snow—usually up to your knee or hip. Not only can it be surprising, it’s tiring and could be dangerous. Trekking through posthole territory means using extra energy to get your legs up and out of the snow every time you take a step. If you aren’t ready for postholing, it can be an unwelcome development on a hike.
Aside from tuckering you out, postholing carries a few other risks. Having your leg sink below the snow’s surface leaves you open to stepping into a covered creek or puddle, or onto uneven and unpredictable ground—or even directly on top of a sharp rock. Leaving postholes behind can also make those same trails difficult for cross-country skiers; postholing leaves deep pits that can catch the front ends of skis, wiping out their riders.
Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
There are a few basic ways to reduce your susceptibility to postholing. You can strike out on your hike early in the day, before temperatures warm up and soften the snow. And by hiking in popular areas, you’re more likely to be treading on snow that’s been tamped-down and hardened by crowds; either way, you’ll be hiking on snow that’s more resistant to postholing.
If you do end up postholing, you’ll have to make an important decision: turn back or power through. You’ll have to consider whether you’ve hit a uniquely soft patch of snow—a section that’s been warmed more than the rest of the trail—and whether there’s firmer ground nearby. As with any adventure, knowledge of local weather conditions and trail systems are key.
But if you’re looking to hike some less-travelled paths, your best bet is to carry snowshoes. Postholing is, afternall, the exact condition that snowshoes are meant to address; using good showshoes can prevent your legs from sinking in at all. Plus, a bit of snowshoeing is sure to elevate your winter adventure—whether it’s in postholing territory or not!
Being prepared for the likelihood of postholing, how to avoid it and what to do if the situation arises will help keep you safe on your next winter adventure!
