Doing research about the area you plan to hike before heading out is on par with starting your Christmas shopping before 5:00 on Christmas Eve. If you read my latest article, Outdoor Life - Spring Hiking in the Adirondacks, you'll understand how important it is to plan ahead for any outdoor adventure.

My friends and I claim innocent excitement, but Mount Marcy might well have claimed out lives. Luckily we adapted and stayed positive and survived the trip. We finished with a lot of gratefulness and a feeling of satisfaction for the challenges we'd conquered. When hiking in the mountains, weather and terrain can be unforgiving and turn in an instant. This is what I learned to pack for every spring hiking trip in the mountains:

¨      Waterproof hiking boots

¨      Gaiters - great for keeping your feet and lower legs dry

¨      Snowshoes (definitely with crampons)

¨      Water proof pants (Gore-Tex)

¨      Gore-Tex jacket

¨      Winter hat

¨      Many pairs of warm socks

¨      Multiple pairs of mitts

¨      Winter sleeping bag

¨      Sleeping pad

¨      Thermarest, foam pad

¨      Extra water filter (especially when hiking with 4people or more)

Kim Bowerman,
Nomadik Personal Fitness Expert