Winter Hiking Basics
It seems we have had a lot of people getting more and more interested in winter hiking and snowshoeing as of late. To go along with this are a bunch of questions regarding what people need to do, bring and be aware of.
First things first: Have a basic level of fitness.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised as to how many people get into a hike that they are not physically capable of handling. This is doubly true in the winter, as a route that may be a “walk in the park” for a 3 season hike can become treacherous due to snow, ice and temperature conditions.
What is the best way to ensure you are FIT enough to hike? FIT BOOTCAMP of course (shameless plug)!
Step 2: Ensure you are properly equipped. If you plan to take the dog for a walk in the back yard you probably don’t need to be very planful. Winter hiking on the other hand necessitates much thought be put into what you wear and bring.
There is no easier way to ruin a great trip than to be ill equipped and get cold or wet. PLEASE DRESS ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS!
The first few minutes of this video I am talking about what I am bringing.
Add to this list some sort of traction aid and an ice ax for really serious vertical walls and/or trekking poles for more gradual terrain. Since filming this clip and slipping all over the mountain I have purchased Microspikes for Vanessa and I. They are a good choice for times when you don’t need full on crampons but Yaktracks may not be quite enough traction for the terrain.
The basics:
EMS has a pretty good explanation of the different layers HERE
This is a more detailed explanation in this NOLS video.
Step 3: Bring a friend. The single best way to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip is to have someone with you that is an experienced outdoorsperson (see how I was politically correct?)
We will make this one easy. Jake St. Pierre just got back from spending the night on top of Mt. Washington and undertook an expedition to Nepal this past fall to the Mt. Everest Basecamp at 18,000+ feet (picture at top of page). Come and learn some stuff as you get a great workout and have a good time.
We are heading up Mt. Kearsarge Sunday 2/13/11. Meet at the park and ride off of Exit 17 on 93 at 9:00
Leave a comment below or on the FIT Facebook page to let us know if you plan to attend, as well as any questions yo may have about what to pack.
February 12th, 2011 at 9:11 am
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