Winter hiking, it's not an extreme sport anymore!

How to start winter hiking

Nice butt slide! TrailToSummit.com

Since I have become completely addicted to hiking over the last couple years, I am struggling with how to fill the need through the winter. The more hikers I talk to about this the more I hear "You don't have to stop! Winter hiking is the best—the peace, the crisp air...and the butt sliding!" Sure, I snowshoe during the winter, but just on local trails—isn't winter hiking for extreme sports enthusiasts? I don't want to slip into an icy ravine or get buried in an avalanche, I have kids! I have read Not Without Peril! (Great book to help gain a healthy respect for the elements!)

Not Without Peril: 150 Years Of Misadventure On The Presidential Range Of New Hampshire Among the most dangerous mountains in the world, Mount Washington... this book offers extensive and intimate profiles of people who found trouble on New Hampshire's Presidential Range, from the nineteenth century through present day. Amazon

With a little practice and the right equipment, I am urged to continue hiking, even continuing with the 4,000 footers during the winter—not necessarily the steepest and longest hikes initially, but there are certainly plenty of New Hampshires' 48 left on my list! Count me in!

So, how do I start? What do I need? Thanks to the Internet and my hiking group friends, there is a wealth of information available.

Gear!

Having the right equipment goes without saying, and there are many experts out there—I tend to refer to the trusty sales staff at EMS now, ever since my daughter's toe trauma and the awesome service we received there fitting her new shoes. (Read my post: Two a Things I Learned from Hiking Monadnock for details!) Micro spikes are essential, as well as the right layers—dress like an onion!

Check out this helpful video! (Enjoy the British accent—makes everything seem more proper!)

Another go-to resource is Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) website: Outdoors.org, where you can find a comprehensive list of winter hiking/camping: "The following lists are recommendations for what you should carry in winter when going into the backcountry. For more detailed information on trip planning and preparation, as well as tips for safe travel, refer to the AMC Guide to Winter Hiking and Camping." 

Workshops

AMC also offers winter hiking workshops—free for members and $5 for non members. The workshops are typically a couple hours long, and are followed by a series of winter hikes: "Workshop will provide information on hike preparation, proper gear, hydration, nutrition, and more for winter hiking. Workshop will be followed by a graduated series of hikes from December to February."
Here is one near me, but check for one in your area >

Weather

Highly unpredictable and with full exposure above the tree line, the weather in the White Mountains is no joke! I always keep my hiking plans up in the air until a couple days ahead so I'm sure to get a current weather report by checking the Mount Washington Observatory report. This report gives me the worst case scenario for any of the NH 48, so I can plan for the worst and hope for the best:
Weather in the Whites >

My Plan

Gather information, grab my experienced winter hiking friends, and get out in the snow and build up gradually in difficulty. Winter in New England can be fun, get out and enjoy, I will!

“Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory." Legendary mountaineer Ed Viesturs - I will follow that guidance for sure!

I'd love to hear about your favorite winter hikes! Leave me a comment or send me a tweet!