Be Prepared for Winter Hiking ā Even in the Fallš
I know it might sound silly, itās 50Ā° at home, maybe even at the trailhead, the fall leaves are popping, and youāre ready to hit the trails. But hereās the thing: those gorgeous higher-elevation mountains? They donāt care what the weather is like at your house.
After a few recent rescues of hikers who were not prepared (clearly they havenāt listened to our podcast or read this blog š), itās time to say it again: donāt underestimate the mountains, especially in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
If you havenāt already, check out Mikeās full blog on the Ten Essentials. Iām adding a few cold-weather and winter hiking must-haves to that list. But first, a quick refresher:
Map
Headlamp
Sun protection
First aid kit
Multi-tool or knife
Matches or lighter
Emergency blanket
Extra food
Extra water & purification method
Extra clothes
Now letās talk about a few extra essentials for New England hikers heading out in fall or winter.
Layer Like a Pro (a Warm, Dry, Cozy Pro)
The right layers can make or break your hike. Hereās the golden rule: no cotton. Go for synthetic materials like polyester, or even better, merino wool, itās my favorite when itās really cold. Mike has a saying and I am adopting it: there is no bad weather only bad clothing, listen to him he is correct, this time. We have a rule. Start the hike slightly cool, you warm up as you hike. But always have layers ready to go. No one wants to be shivering! Hereās my layering strategy:
Base Layer: Something moisture-wicking.
My favorites are the Lululemon Swiftly Long Sleeve 2.0 Tech Shirt and the LLBean Womenās Cresta Midweight 250 Crew Top.Mid Layer: Something warm and breathable.
I rotate between old race long sleeve tech shirts and my favorite, the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Hoodie. LLBean also makes some solid fleece options.Pants: I live in my Athleta Fleece-Lined High-Waisted Stash Leggings ā warm, stretchy, I love these leggings so much!
Outer Layer: Something weather-resistant. My go-to is an LLBean Classic Puffer Jacket. Mine was an outlet find (of course), but this one is very similar to what I wear all winter.
Socks: Smartwool Hike Targeted Cushion Mid Crew Socks. Warm, comfy, and they last forever. I wear mine year round. It is also not a bad idea to have an extra pair in your bag.
āItās Just Fallā¦ Do I Really Need All That?ā
Short answer: yes.
Even if it feels mild when you start, temperatures can drop fast as you climb. It might be a crisp fall morning at the trailhead and a snowy, icy wonderland at the summit. As Iām writing this, Mt. Washington already has snow!
So along with the ten essentials, toss some extra layers & winter extras in your bag just in case:
Microspikes: These should really be the 11th essential. If you listened to our Mt. Pemi episode, you know the rule ā always carry a backup pair! If one breaks mid-hike, youāll be glad you did.
Check out Kahtoola Microspikes from LLBean. We have scored deals at EMS or Amazon.It is the time of year to add your favorite hat and gloves to your bag. No one wants cold fingers!
Watch the Weather
Donāt just rely on your iPhone app. If youāre hiking in the White Mountains, check the Mount Washington Observatory Higher Summit Forecast ā theyāre the experts for a reason.
And if the weather looks questionable, turn around. Seriously. The goal is to get back to your car safely, not to make the evening news. The mountain will still be there next weekend!
Also, it gets dark fast this time of year. Bring a headlamp (and extra batteries) because āstumbling through the woods in the darkā is not the kind of adventure you want.
Final Thoughts
Always tell someone your hiking plans before heading out. Be smart, be prepared, and donāt be a statistic. Check out the NH safe card. This is only vaild in NH, Maine & Vermont do not offer this type of card.
The mountains are magical, but they can also be merciless. So pack your layers, check the forecast, grab your spikes, and get out there safely. Winter and fall hiking can be incredible, as long as you respect it.
