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January 14, 2002 |
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Winter Night Hiking
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Many of us need more exercise in our daily lives, especially in the winter when it's hard to convince ourselves to go outside. If you are like us, you'd rather hike ten miles than jog three. Lately we've been taking the opportunity to get out on the trail after work for some much needed exercise, actually working it into our 'commute'. After work you say? But it's cold and dark by 5pm! Yes, that's very true, but with a little smart planning and preparation, winter night hikes can be very enjoyable. Our particular 'walking workout commute' is the 3.6-mile trail between Rider Hollow and McKenley Hollow, plus the 2 miles on the road between McKenley Hollow and our house in Oliverea. When feeling the need for exercise and crisp, fresh air, we drive to Rider Hollow after work and hike the rest of the way home (in the dark), and then hike back again early the next morning before work (starting off in the dark, and then being treated to some great sunrises over the mountains).
It can take quite a bit of willpower to put on your warm clothes and get yourself outside in the dark, but hiking or snowshoeing at night in the winter can be very rewarding if you're properly prepared. You can expect great solitude (never encountering other people on my late-night or early-morning weekday hikes, with the exception of the friendly hunters we met during deer season), and the stars and moon can be blazing. Other than your own footsteps, the only things you'll hear are the sounds of the wind in the trees and the water in the streams, unless of course you're lucky enough to be serenaded by a barred owl or coyote. For a night-hike to be enjoyable, especially in winter, one has to think ahead and take the right things along.
First of all, always tell someone else of your plans. Let them know what route you'll be taking, when you're leaving, and when you expect to finish - a ranger will not come looking for you unless someone else calls and reports you missing. Secondly, always stay on marked hiking trails and pay close attention to following the trail markers. Bushwhacking can be a great way to explore the wilderness, but definitely not at night. Being able to follow those trail markers means having a good, strong flashlight with fresh batteries. In fact, we never go on a night hike without having two flashlights (one as a backup and spare batteries and bulbs). Clothing is also very important. You should always dress in layers, and have at least one extra pair of socks, pants, jacket, gloves, and hat. Fleece, wool, nylon, and polypropylene clothing are much warmer and drier than cotton. Be sure to carry something to keep your nose, cheeks, and chin warm on those particularly cold nights. One of the irrefutable laws of winter hiking is that no matter how shivery cold it is at the parking area, once you start trudging uphill you will eventually be sweating. Sweaty undergarments then become very cold when you stop to rest or begin your descent, so make sure to carry an extra undershirt and don't be afraid to strip off the cold sweaty one at the top of your climb and put on the fresh dry one before heading back down. It is also a good idea to bring along some extra food and water even if you don't expect to use it, and of course the same goes for a trail map.
So bundle up, charge up those flashlights, and don't wait for the weekend to get outside and enjoy our Catskill trails. Be safe, have fun, and get some exercise.
- Chris and Aaron
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