The “winter hiking 101″ series are obtained from the Winter Activity Committee (WAC) of the Appalachian Mountain Club Delaware Chapter, which are adapted from an original from Bob Vogel of the Southeast Mass chapter.

Equipment and clothing needs vary. For short hikes or snowshoe trips on nice winter days, the requirements are less than for assaults on 4000’ peaks above treeline. To get started winter hiking your needs are pretty low and can be met with a mixture of ‘high tech’ and ‘low tech’ equipment. As your get more into winter hiking your desire for more ‘high tech’ equipment will probably grow. (And your bank account will dwindle!) Here is look at the equipment and clothing. Visit www.amcsem.org/hikes.html for the complete list.

The “winter hiking 101″ series are obtained from the Winter Activity Committee (WAC) of the Appalachian Mountain Club Delaware Chapter, which are adapted from an original from Bob Vogel of the Southeast Mass chapter.

Winter hiking isn’t about being cold; it’s about learning how to keep warm in the cold, staying well hydrated and well-fed, and hiking “smart.” Here are a few simple rules.

Rule #1, Stay cool to keep warm!
Rule #2, Ventilate!
Rule #3, Drink (and eat) a lot!
Rule #4, Hike smart (be conservative)!

I am not very sure how I got myself into leading kids’ trips since I had never thought I would be good with kids. Trained leaders lead kids’ trips for 8 to 12-year-olds, and the official name my club, Appalachian Mountain Club, gave to the program is Chapter Youth Program.

I believe that to educate people well, we need to start when they are young and I was so moved and happy when I saw how a bunch of kids learned, digested and applied Leave No Trace principles along a creek right next to a hut I had stayed for a cool summer night in the Whites last year. For some reason, the scene reminded me of my childhood and I had always been proud since then that I could never litter or spit. I should be grateful to my mom and my school teachers.

Fri-Sun, 6/16/2006 – 6/18/2006. Tuscarora Trail backpack. 3C24. Will hike on Sec6 & Sec7 of the Tuscarora Trail, southbound, from PA-641 via Cowans Gap State Park to PA-16. Remote area, lots of decent vistas. This trip is perfect for people who would like to look for solitude. Backpacking experience required. Group size limited.

Sat-Sun, 05/20/2006-05/21/2006. 3C16. An overnight backpack in Big Indian Wildness Area, Central Catskills, New York. Peak-bag Balsam Mountain, Eagle Mountain and Big Indian Mountain (via bushwhack). Lots of ups and downs. Group size limited.

Rocky and wobbly is the agreed footnote the group gave to the Tuscarora Trail after the two-day backpack. No matter when we were climbing, or descending, we had to pay close attention to our footing. Rocks were very deceiving; they looked like stable footrests, yet they were in fact ready-to-take-off roller coasters.

Even once the trail leveled out, don’t think you can glide through. Piles of withered leaves on top of the rocks were their best cover. They were prepared for their ambush, we had to step well as if we were passing a mine field.

I am advertising this workshop because I am the coordinator and also will be a speaker. The target participants are those who know nothing or little about backpacking and would like to get more prepared before they actually head out to the woods and spend a night.

Here is a brief introduction taken from the AMC-DV website:

Learn basic skills of backpacking. A full-day workshop for novice backpackers. Covers skills, gear, clothing, nutrition etc. If you’ve been thinking about trying a backpacking trip but aren’t sure whether you’re ready, this workshop will tell you everything you need to know before heading out on the trail overnight.

Date: April 22, 2006
Time: 9:00 - 3:30-ish
Fee: $5.00 for AMC members; $15.00 for non-members
Download: Tentative Agenda

If you are interested in this event, please send me an email (you can find my contact info in the About page.)

Related Article:
What If You Were a Beginner Backpacker?

Fri-Sun, 4/14/2006 – 4/16/2006. Tuscarora Trail backpack. 3C17/18. Will hike on Sec3 & Sec4 of the Tuscarora Trail, southbound, from Colonel Denning State Park to Hemlock Road. The trail is remote, perfect for people who would like to look for solitude. Group size limited.

Sat-Sun, 1/28-29, Blackhead Range Wild Forest backpack. 3C/D10-14.

Will bag three high peaks: Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Blackhead. Stay in a lean-to for Sat night. Winter backpacking experience/gear required. Group size limited.

I’ll be leading a backpack in southern Catskills, NY, Oct 15-16, 2005.

Description on AMC Outdoors Magazine & Chapter Footnotes:

Sat-Sun, Oct 15-16, Southern Catskills backpack, 3C/D21. Lots of steep ascents and descents. Great views, and possible fall foliage season. Peak-bag four 3500-foot summits: Panther, Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide. Backpacking experience required. Group size limited. L: Szu-ting Yi.

Description on my trip writeup:

This is a strenuous backpack: the distance is long and the climb is tough. The total mileage is about 20-21 miles, and the net elevation gain and loss is about 12,500 feet. All the hard work will reward us four 3500-foot peaks: Panther, Slide, Cornell, and Wittenberg. Along the way, we will enjoy great vistas, breathe in fresh autumn air, and bathe in the atmosphere of partnership.

Link: Trip Writeup

Elevation Profiles:

Saturday:

Sunday: