Winter hiking or: How I learned to stop freezing and love the winter.

The leaves have all fallen,
the sun sets early now,
winter will soon be upon us. 

As the sky sheds it's first flakes of snow, your first instinct may be to lock yourself inside with a warm cup of tea and put away your hiking boots until spring. Do not do this! (except maybe the tea, yum!)
Hiking in the winter can be just as enjoyable as any other time as long as you are properly dressed and prepared for any and all the elements. 

Honestly, until the past few years I dreaded winter, I hated not being outside, I felt my body deteriorating due to lack of physical activity (sure I could go to the gym but ugh), the lack of natural light would stoke the flames of winter depression, but most of all I could not stand being cold.
All of these problems I was able to fix in one easy step.... dressing properly for the outdoors!
Once I made this one little change, winter was no longer a daunting task; being outside, getting my muscles moving, enjoying the sharp winter sun, all helped alleviate the seasonal depression. Before I knew it I was enjoying winter hiking just as much as summer. Winter posed a challenge to me, all the trails I could fly through in the warm months were once again challenging, I had to push myself physically and mentally through drifts of snow, up icy hills, down steep slopes.

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Tips for safely enjoying winter hiking.

• Dress Properly
  Be one with the onion and dress in layers.
  1st layer to wick moisture away from body
  2nd layer to provide warmth
  3rd layer to repel water
  Boots with proper tread or crampons if the conditions are icy. Gaiters to keep deep snow and mud out of your boots. Wool socks (avoid cotton at all costs).
  Hats, gloves, scarf, change of socks. 
  
  
• Pack snacks and water
  With the dry air of winter you'll be more susceptible to dehydration, pack extra water (wrap in a clean wool sock upside down in your pack to prevent freezing). Trudging through snow causes you use much more energy than in the summer months, bring along some energy snacks - trail mix, gorp (good old raisins & peanuts), etc. to re-fuel.
  
  
• Hike with a friend
  If you're exploring a new area, take an experienced friend along, a fresh snow can hide the trail and leave you lost. 
  I'd also like to note, every time you go out let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
  
  
• Check the weather
  Sounds obvious but be aware of possible storms moving in, use your best judgement, don't try a new trail in bad weather.
  
  
• Be prepared to turn around 
  Trails covered in deep snow can cause you to use up your energy fast, you have to have the energy to not only get to the summit, overlook, etc but also to get back. If you find yourself waning turn around and try another day. 

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