How to Hike in the Winter

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Many of you outdoorsy types have two essential modes of being: winter sport adventurer, and summer trailblazer. If you’re in a northern state especially, the difference between the seasons is so stark that you can’t help but have these two different modes of being. You have swim trunks and running shoes in addition to skiing poles and ski boots. But what if it doesn’t have to be this way, and you can instead enjoy many of the same sports during all of the seasons?

You can do that with hiking, which is traditionally associated with sunny days on the trail. To those truly dedicated hikers, however, hiking is a year-round sport in which the changing seasons simply represent different challenges to embrace.

Here are a few quick tips for hiking in the winter.

1. Know your equipment.

If you’ve never hiked in the winter, but are serious about hunkering down and tackling the snowy slopes, you’ve got to know your equipment first. Don’t tackle any challenges that put you too far out of your element – work your way up to that level first.

Understanding the basic equipment will get your foot on the trail, so take a few minutes to ask yourself what you might need. You’ll want to look at snowshoes, especially – even if you don’t want to wear them on your entire hike, you’ll want to at least have them with you. Likewise, snow poles will help you dig in on some slippery terrain and avoid any falls.

2. Dress for the occasion.

Another aspect of hiking in the winter that’s not entire predictable is the amount of moisture that’s really out there. After a snow fall, there will probably be hills full of snow that’s just waiting to melt once it touches your warm skin. You’re going to want to keep two principles of winter dressing in mind: warm, and dry. Warm isn’t enough – you don’t want to be wet. And dry isn’t enough – it isn’t fun to be dry and freezing. Together, they make for a much more comfortable experience.

Build an “under-layer” of long underwear that blocks out any leaks in the typical areas – think your neck, wrists, and ankles. It will take a little more effort up front, but it will be worth it when you reach the top of that snow hill and say to yourself “wow, that was great!”

Treat hiking in the winter as an entirely different entity, and you’ll be well-prepared for some enjoyable exercise and a fun time with friends and family.

Photo Credits: TimWilson“>1

Are You A Backpacker?

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

When we think of the term “backpacker,” we probably get a particular image in our heads: someone walking solo through Europe, going from town to town after graduating from college and hoping to discover something about themselves.

Okay, maybe our image of the backpacker isn’t that specific, but we do know one thing: being a backpacker isn’t limited to the profound. Backpacking is also about integrating hiking and camping into one enjoyable, relaxing activity that helps you get out of the world for a few days and cut loose. Spending the occasional weekend on a backpacking trip doesn’t mean you’ve mentally checked out; instead, it means you’re simply recharging your batteries.

With that in mind, ask yourself a few questions to determine whether or not you have the personality of a backpacker, and you’ll understand in a few minutes whether you have it within you.

-Do you function well alone, or at least feel the yearning to get away from things?

You might have a busy and active social life, but sometimes taking “time off” doesn’t only refer to work. Spending a day or two camping by yourself can be totally reinvigorating, especially if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a highly active social life. If a break from “people” sounds as welcoming as a break from work, you might want to spend a weekend backpacking, if even just to try it out.

-Do you enjoy camping?

You don’t need to enjoy being alone to be a backpacker; often, you can spend a backpacking trip with a friend or loved on. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you come to another question: how much do you really like camping out under the stars. To some people, the novelty of sleeping directly under the clouds or under a tent is refreshing and welcoming. To others, they can only think about how many canisters of bug repellant they’ll have to bring. If camping out without breaking the bank sounds good to you, you might have the personality of a backpacker.

-Do you want to learn self-sufficiency?

Sometimes, you don’t need to be predestined as a backpacker; you can develop those skills by backpacking! Learning self-sufficiency is a great skill, especially to people entering college or the work force. For you youngsters who want a taste of what it will be like to depend on yourself for your livelihood, a simple “one-weekend trial” can be a big step forward.

Do any of these personality types sound like you? If so, consider giving backpacking a try. You’ll enjoy your own cooked food, clear summer nights, and sometimes a more developed relationship with a loved one.

Photo Credits: Mat Honan