cold mountain lakes: the dip, the layers and the thermos

let's establish something upfront: nobody is completely comfortable in a cold mountain lake, and I'd be lying if I say I love that first initial shock up the spine once you finally make the decision to jump in 

swimming in a freezing mountain lake is a terrible, wonderful mistake that resets your soul once your body stops screaming. seriously, its awesome, once you realize you aren't going to die

cold water can trigger a powerful, involuntary response. that gasp isn't a character flaw and it isn't something to push through for a photograph

its actually a primal neurological shock to that wakes the vagus nerve; brief cold exposure can trigger a mild release of norepinephrine and dopamine, improve focus and signals the nervous system to shift from a 'fight-or-flight' stress response into a 'rest-and-recover' state

why the lake keeps calling

there's something about leaving your inbox behind and spending time beside a mountain lake. the air. the view. the complete lack of dings

some people find a short cold-water dip invigorating. others find their favourite part is getting dry and wrapping both hands around a warm drink. neither experience is guaranteed joy but it isn't either, and you don't need to get in to earn the afternoon  🍂

the lake is a place to spend time, not a prescription or a personal challenge

if you choose to dip

start with the spot, not the splash. choose a familiar, permitted swimming spot with an easy entry and exit. check local conditions, weather and advisories. rivers, currents and unfamiliar water are not interchangeable with a sheltered lakeside swimming area. if conditions are uncertain, stay out

bring company. don't swim alone. go with someone who can watch from shore and call for help if needed. know where you are and how to contact emergency services. remote water adds complications that a good view doesn't cancel out

enter cautiously. use a stable, gradual entry rather than jumping or diving in. stay close to your exit, keep your head above water and breathe normally. cold shock can make breathing difficult even for experienced swimmers. if your breathing feels out of control, get out rather than trying to push through

skip the breathing challenges. never hyperventilate or practise breath-holding before or during a swim. these practices can lead to loss of consciousness and drowning. this is a lake visit, not a breath-hold competition

keep it brief. there's no universal safe number of minutes. water temperature, conditions, experience and your health all matter. leave the water before you become chilled, numb or tired. don't wait for stiff hands or struggling movement to tell you it's time

plan the warm-up before the dip. have a towel, dry clothes and warm layers ready. once out, dry off, get dressed and find shelter from wind and cold and keep moving. your body can keep cooling after you leave the water so doing some simple squats can keep your whole body warm. if someone becomes confused, unusually drowsy or struggles to move, get emergency help. see below for more warm-up tips

if you have a health condition, particularly a heart or breathing condition, check with a healthcare professional before trying cold-water swimming. this article isn't a substitute for local safety advice or supervised instruction 🧊 its a blog

the layers and the thermos

the post-dip outfit deserves more planning than the photo. dry clothes first, then warm layers and somewhere sheltered to sit. bring enough warmth for the conditions, not just something that looks good beside the water

and the thermos? genuinely one of the great pleasures of a mountain lake afternoon. a warm (not boiling) drink, a snack and no reason to rush [drink only when you're fully alert, moderated your core's temperature and able to swallow normally]

you don't need an elaborate ritual. you need sensible conditions, a plan to stay warm and the willingness to change your mind, but sure if you want to float your worries on a piece of paper down the river after giving them permission to move on, go on right ahead

and you don't have to do it every week. or be that person who posts about it with a serene expression and the caption about 'embracing the cold' or 'wim hoffing it', just tag us if you do 😉

🌡️ the warming protocol

shore-side is a valid lifestyle

sometimes the best lake decision is not getting in. colder weather, an awkward exit or simply not feeling it are all good enough reasons.

sit on the shore. enjoy the view. open the thermos

the mountain lake experience doesn't come with an entrance exam

xxfunk+fina with love near whistler bc