Outdoor Life – The Importance of Planning Ahead
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
