Anyone winter hike

[libertysnake]

My wife and I are looking for some winter activities. She likes to take photos and I just like to be in the woods. We have boot and are getting warm socks. She bought a nice warm jacket and I have hunting gear. I do have a survival backpack so I Will bring that.
Besides not getting lost and staying on trails any other thoughts or suggestions?

I've been considering doing some winter hikes. I like hiking / rucking in general. I have a good set of Nikon 10x42 ProStaff 3S binos I was using for bird watching that were really nice, but my wife hasn't wanted to go in a while with the weather being colder so I converted the case to holding one of my cheap night vision binos as of late.




I might just go on my own and throw the binos back in. I have another rucking thread going with @Celt and @alistair about some rucking, so combining activities would be interesting.

I'd suggest that, though -- bird watching / animal watching. It always added to the dimension of just "walking" around, looking for specific animals on the trails. Made it more interesting as an activity.

 

[Criticalt]

We hike and camp all winter....usually on horseback. The only advice I can give is to not overdress. If you are warm and comfy to start, you will sweat and be freezing at the end of your hike. Dress so you are a bit chilly and you will warm up while walking.
Also, bring fire making supplies just in case.
Annnd, bring water...eating snow will make you cold.
Thats it....have fun.
Oh, if your wife is using a "mechanical" camera...vs and cellphone....be careful of warm and cold temperature changes. You can freeze up your camera quickly....ask me how I know.

 

[Saltwater60]

We hike and camp all winter....usually on horseback. The only advice I can give is to not overdress. If you are warm and comfy to start, you will sweat and be freezing at the end of your hike. Dress so you are a bit chilly and you will warm up while walking.
Also, bring fire making supplies just in case.
Annnd, bring water...eating snow will make you cold.
Thats it....have fun.
Oh, if your wife is using a "mechanical" camera...vs and cellphone....be careful of warm and cold temperature changes. You can freeze up your camera quickly....ask me how I know.

Thanks. One time her camera all fogged up. This last time it was ok. We pull it out and use it. She does have a neoprene case and a waterproof bag, but we shouldn’t be going in and out of temp swings so we should be good.
I have a stay alive bag, with food, water, and fire starting supplies.

 

[pshift]

It was fun 20 years ago when I was a Scout Leader. Nowadays, not so much but I have fond memories of the many upstate trails that we camped on.

 

[alistair]

For snow shoes, I use MSR lightning ascent with the heal lifts. Those really save your calves on the inclines, but I'm doing ADK high peaks in the winter and you can get them without for flatter terrain. The frames are not slippery tubular metal, instead they are a vertical serrated metal edge that will dig in on icy and crusty snow and slopes. Make sure your snow shoes are rated for your weight including your pack/load out and get the floatation tails or extra long shoes as needed to stay farther on top of the snow. Try them with the boots you plan to wear and make sure they are a good fit. Mine work well with pack boots, but not with hiking boots. For icy conditions with little snow, micro-spikes (rubbery upper part that stretches over the boot with chain bottoms and small spikes on the chains) are light weight, take little room in your pack and work well unless you are doing peaks in the ADK or somewhere that is so icy you need crampons. I have the MSR micro-spikes in 2 sizes to fit different boots. Stay away from the Yaktrax which are junk. For climbing steep icy terrain with crampons, you should have an ice axe as well. Some robust adjustable trekking poles with multiple bottom attachments like rubber feet and snow baskets are good for general hiking, snow shoeing, etc. as you can adjust to the conditions and help with balance. Some good gaiters that come up to your knees help keep legs and feet warmer as they keep the snow and slush off your pants and out of your boots. Tinted ski goggles for the windy and snowy weather and snow glare. Make sure you have the essentials to bivouac and self rescue (fire starter & waterproof matches, first aid kit, food, water, knife/saw, rope/paracord, charged phone, LED headlamp and flashlight, extra socks, extra gloves, layered clothes [avoid cotton], poncho/tarp, TP, hand/foot/body warmers, whistle, emergency candle). If you are out exerting yourself all day on long hikes, take double the food you anticipate using as you may find that you really need it on that long walk back or if you get lost or have to bivouac or you may run across someone who did not plan adequately and your can always share and make a new friend or just impress a lib with how prepared and kind a gun toting freedom lover can be. Have fun together.

I'm a winter 46er. How many winter high peaks have you climbed?

 

[alistair]

My wife and I are looking for some winter activities. She likes to take photos and I just like to be in the woods. We have boot and are getting warm socks. She bought a nice warm jacket and I have hunting gear. I do have a survival backpack so I Will bring that.
Besides not getting lost and staying on trails any other thoughts or suggestions?

There is a lot of good advise here, but before I add my 2 Cents can you let me know what level of fitness you and your wife are at, and what extent do you want to take the hiking activity to.
The recommended equipment for ADK High Peak hiking is way overkill for an easy walk in the woods or along the local bike trail.

 

[alistair]

Hikers reach summit of Mount Marcy wearing sneakers in 8-inch snow, then call rangers for a ride

Rangers said the hikers couldn't properly read a map

www.newyorkupstate.com

 

[alistair]

Essential Adirondack Winter Hiking Tips for Beginners

Know before you go! Find crucial Adirondack winter hiking tips for beginners, including what to wear and bring, safety advice, and how to check trail conditions.

www.adirondack.net

 

[Saltwater60]

There is a lot of good advise here, but before I add my 2 Cents can you let me know what level of fitness you and your wife are at, and what extent do you want to take the hiking activity to.
The recommended equipment for ADK High Peak hiking is way overkill for an easy walk in the woods or along the local bike trail.

I’m a bit of a fat ass at this point, one reason we want to get moving again.
I would were looking for light to moderate hiking. I’m not a whomp, but I’m not in great shape these days.

 

[Uzi]

I never knew it was legal in NYS to hike during the winter? Don't they have laws against this?

 

[stokes]

I’m a bit of a fat ass at this point, one reason we want to get moving again.
I would were looking for light to moderate hiking. I’m not a whomp, but I’m not in great shape these days.

Walking is a great way to drop the weight.After I retired I blew up to 260lbs from the fact that I've always eaten like I got 2 assholes and I stopped walking so much.When I was working, I was always referred to as "that anorexic fuck" by all the fat fucks.I moved up from the city in Nov and by February I was down to 190 just from walking the dog.Nothing too strenuous mostly 2 to 5 mile daily walks on level ground except for a mile and a half walk up to some nearby waterfalls in a state park.No change in my food and beer intake at all and I've maintained this weight for the last 6 years.Just get out and start walking, as you find new places to hike you'll figure out fast what gear you'll need, but if weight loss is your main goal you really dont need much gear at all, maybe a couple dogs.

 

[Saltwater60]

Walking is a great way to drop the weight.After I retired I blew up to 260lbs from the fact that I've always eaten like I got 2 assholes and I stopped walking so much.When I was working, I was always referred to as "that anorexic fuck" by all the fat fucks.I moved up from the city in Nov and by February I was down to 190 just from walking the dog.Nothing too strenuous mostly 2 to 5 mile daily walks on level ground except for a mile and a half walk up to some nearby waterfalls in a state park.No change in my food and beer intake at all and I've maintained this weight for the last 6 years.Just get out and start walking, as you find new places to hike you'll figure out fast what gear you'll need, but if weight loss is your main goal you really dont need much gear at all, maybe a couple dogs.

No dogs for me. I do carry my pack so hopefully that will help a bit.
weight loss is certainly a benefit, but I guess it’s more to get out and do something during the winter. I’ve always liked nature and I’ve always hiked. I’m so busy doing other stuff all summer it’s hard to hike and I figured this would be a good way to get out and hike. The weight loss is an added benefit. Also the wife likes to take bird pictures and having leafless trees helps with that.

 

[tc556guy]

I never knew it was legal in NYS to hike during the winter? Don't they have laws against this?

Don't give them any ideas

 

[Brian Colt]

My wife and I are looking for some winter activities. She likes to take photos and I just like to be in the woods. We have boot and are getting warm socks. She bought a nice warm jacket and I have hunting gear. I do have a survival backpack so I Will bring that.
Besides not getting lost and staying on trails any other thoughts or suggestions?

Did a few miles today in Smoky Mountain National Park. 65 degrees. Beats snow big time!

 

[alistair]

I never knew it was legal in NYS to hike during the winter? Don't they have laws against this?

No.

 

[Saltwater60]

Did a few miles today in Smoky Mountain National Park. 65 degrees. Beats snow big time!

Nice. We’re heading to Memphis in a month and a half so we will see if we get some hiking out there. We’re staying a few blocks from the Mississippi River so that should be exciting. I’ve never seen the Mississippi River and it’s so iconic.

 

[FRB]

Damn good point on the trails icing up. I did not think of that. I plan to hit up like zoar valley, a few local parks, beaver island, Tonawanda and Iroquois wildlife management areas. I’m sure there are a few others we will hit up. I won’t go in deep snow and if this winter is much like the ones in the past the snow won’t be on the ground very long.
I think I will forego snow shoes for this year and see where this goes.

Add Franklin Gulf to your list. Loving hiking in there in the winter.

 

[Saltwater60]

Add Franklin Gulf to your list. Loving hiking in there in the winter.

Thank you. I was not aware of it and it looks beautiful. I only wish you could hunt there.

 

[libertysnake]

Add Franklin Gulf to your list. Loving hiking in there in the winter.

Looks pretty nice. I'm not in Erie often, but was thinking of organizing something up there. Would be good to check it out. Will bring the crampons from the looks of the images I saw of the park.

 

[FRB]

Good one for winter because it is usually a mud pit.

Mud pit, eh, just the green trail. Most is not.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

Dude, this is where it’s at! See that pipe sticking out of the tent it was 5° below and 20 mph wind that night and 70° on the tent, no bugs no people ...

 

[togmaster]

Dude, this is where it’s at! See that pipe sticking out of the tent it was 5° below and 20 mph wind that night and 70° on the tent, no bugs no people ...

What do you use as a stove/heater in the tent?

 

[phatfarmerbob]

What do you use as a stove/heater in the tent?

Wood stove,

 

[stokes]

How long before that snow floor became a mud floor?

 

[phatfarmerbob]

It doesn’t, you pack it with snowshoes or whatever before setting up the tent. Then I made a mat I sewed a gortex/thinsulate/nylon “rug” that goes between the cots so you can walk around in socks. Nothing in front of the stove or where we stack the wood or under the cots the snow just gets hard it’s weird