Just because the temperatures have plummeted into the single digits, there's no reason to put away your camping equipment and reminisce about all the fun things you did last summer.
Winter adventures into the Adirondack or Catskill backcountry can be just as wonderful during the winter as it is in the summer. All you need is the right equipment and the proper preparation.
I could tell you the best thing is that you'd have the entire mountains to yourself, but I would be wrong. No, you aren't going to find all the lean-tos full or 40 other hikers on the summits of every high peak, but you'll certainly have company on many of your trips.
Many hikers who have successfully summited all of the Adirondack's 46 High Peaks during the spring, summer and fall have decided to complete the challenge again during the winter. They use cross-country skis and snowshoes, as well as ice axes and crampons, to follow the steep, ever-upward trails to the top.
Other adventurous souls like to climb the mountains and ski down the open slides on the unmarked snow.
Winter certainly offers some great opportunities for outdoor recreation, but it also creates conditions that can be troublesome and even dangerous. If you're going to hike any of the trails in the Eastern High Peaks, snowshoes or cross-country skis are required. This eliminates "post-holing" and sudden falls that can result in possible injury to yourself and others.
Things can change fast in the mountains. It may be warm and sunny when you start in the morning, then turn into blizzard conditions with sub-zero temperatures by afternoon. So, backcountry visitors should follow some safety guidelines.
Dress properly, with layers of wool and fleece clothing (NOT COTTON) and wool or fleece hats, gloves or mittens, wind/rain-resistant outerwear and winter boots.
Carry a day pack, which includes an ice axe, plenty of food and water, extra clothing, a map and compass, a first-aid kit, a flashlight or headlamp, sunglasses, sunblock, a stove and fuel, and a bivy sack or space blankets.
Drink plenty of water _ dehydration can lead to hypothermia _ and eat plenty of food to maintain energy levels and warmth.
Check the weather before entering the woods. If the weather is poor, postpone your trip. The mountains will always be there. Also, be aware of weather conditions at all times. If the weather worsens, head out of the woods.
Let others know your plans and your destination, along with your scheduled departure and return times.
Check with the DEC to determine trail conditions for the region you plan to visit.
I know a fellow who covered the entire length of the Northville-Placid Trail on cross-country skis with some friends last winter. He said the trip was absolutely magnificent. They had the entire 125 miles to themselves, never found a crowded lean-to and didn't have to put up with mosquitoes and black flies. That doesn't sound so bad, does it?
Rick Brockway writes a weekly outdoors column for The Daily Star. E-mail him at robrockway@hotmail.com.
