Winter Hiking

I had a co-worker ask me recently whether I liked hiking in the cold. Because I was still in my winter break-in period, I had to answer him a resounding NO.  But now after about 2 weeks of hiking, I have to say that it really ain't so bad after all. Having the right gear makes all the difference in the world. Having warm but light and non-binding, non-bulky outer wear  is key to an enjoyable experience.

Today, it was about 39 degrees, so I was wearing a fairly tight running top and bottom by Layer 8 made of breathable polyester ($10 each at Target), a Sporthill polyethylene zip-up running sweater ($60 on sale at REI) and a pair of light-weight wind resistant gloves. When I first headed out, I was just a tad on the chilly side, which is good for me because I have a tendency to heat up pretty quickly. So I know that I'll be comfortable for most of my trip, but will most likely be a bit warm on the last leg.

I was also wearing an Osprey Raptor 10 hydration pack (about 600 cu in) and carrying a set of Komperdell spring-action trekking poles. Top[ it off with a set of Patagonia Drifter AC  hiking shoes and I was ready to hit the trail fairly quickly. Really though, you don't need expensive gear, just effective - it makes a huge difference in your enjoyment, comfort and performance.

I was out for at little under 2 hours, but only because I got started late. I had been holed up in the house and was feeling cabin fever so I really needed to get on the trail and soak in the outdoors to restore my sanity. The trail was a combination of loose and packed snow, alternating with dirt. It felt glorious crunching my way down the trail through all of that snow. Since the 14 inches of snow we received had been melting for about 2 days, there was enough snow to keep it interesting. All in all, I put in about 12,000 steps, got some awesome photos, and put in an excellent workout.

TAKE-AWAYS:  When hiking in the cold, wear light, warm, breathable clothing. Don't forget some sort of hydration; just because its cold out doesn't mean you don't need water.  If you're also hiking in snow, make sure your shoes have a solid lug pattern and have good traction on wet surfaces. Trekking poles really help for extra traction and provide needed stability and power. They can make the difference between an empowering and productive fitness hike and potential injury.