Natural Surrounding

Connecting You To Nature

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5 Essential Tips For Hiking In the Colder Months

By NaturalSurrounding.org⎥Posted November 2, 2013

Sitting atop Mt. Madison looking west at Mt. Adams and Mt. Jefferson in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. 

Winter hiking is my favorite time of year to head into the mountains for peak-bagging and avoiding the mosquitos and heavy crowds. Being the first to break trail is always an honor and the privilege of the early bird. To assure that I have everything needed to enjoy a spectacular view in the journey that lies ahead, I take the time to pack the necessary gear that is needed in extreme cold weather. I must say that I enjoy hiking out my back door for a quick hike around the lake and packing correctly is just as important for those hikes, but these next few tips are geared for the hiker/alpine climber who wishes to climb a four thousand footer.  These next few tips are essential for keeping safe and enjoying your day when hiking in colder months.

Weather

Even on the best days hiking can be a dangerous activity to take part in. Weather can always become a problem and something one should constantly keep an eye on. The winter can bring unpredictable weather and quickly put you in a serious situation that leaves no room for a careless mistake. 

Depending on where you live in the world, winter can spell out a few different ways. Some places can expect heavy snowfall, some sharp drops in temperature and others can expect an increase in rain fall. Knowing the predicted weather and expecting the worst conditions is a must! You don’t want to be caught without the proper gear in 75 mph winds!

Warm clothing

Nothing spells disaster more than a sudden burst of rain that soaks you right through. Avoiding clothes such as cotton which becomes very heavy when wet is essential. Fleece is light, dries fast and keeps you warm. 

Pack a rain/wind-proof shell to keep you dry and remember that your body uses a fair amount of energy to stay warm. Nothing zaps your energy more than being cold and wet. 

Bring an extra set of socks, gloves and hat. Dress in layers but don’t over dress. It’s better to start off cold at the start of your hike and warm yourself up to a good “hiking” temperature. Bundling up at the start of your hike is the easiest way to overheat and soak the clothes you’re in from sweat. This will require you to stop and readjust your gear robbing you of valuable time early on in your hike. The most basic and important element in winter hiking is not to get wet from sweat. Stay alive, stay dry! 

Gear

Having the proper gear is essential in this sport. Yes, it does add weight and you might not need it, but when you do, you’ll be glad you did. 

The proper footwear is the first place to start if you want to reach the top. When you encounter ice-layered rocks, deep snow or  treacherous conditions take the time to take out the micro spikes, crampons or snowshoes. 

Deep snow calls for snowshoes. Without snowshoes, deep snow will render you immobile. With aluminum claws on the bottom of most snowshoes, you’ll be able to cross the occasional icy section too. 

In steep icy conditions, crampons is the footwear of choice when you want to be sure you stick to steep, icy trails when climbing.  

An ice axe is essential in the mountains. The ice axe is the only way to stop yourself in the event of an uncontrolled slide down a steep slope. 

Two headlamps or flashlights with backup batteries is a must. Turn off your smartphone too. If you leave it on all day, the battery will be very low when you may need it most.  

Enough food and water to last throughout the day and packing a little extra is wise. A typical four thousand footer takes a minimum of 6 hours and will burn between 2K-5K calories. You’ll be hungry so pack extra food! 

If you wear a CamelBack, the last thing you want is the water in your drinking hose freezing up on you. This is wear the water always freezes first. Protect your CamelBack from freezing by insulating the drinking hose. Some backpacks have a stowaway pocket in the chest harness strap to keep it from freezing a little while longer. These are not surefire ways to protect your water from freezing, but it will help. I have a 100 oz. bladder and the drinking hose freezes on occasion. My preferred method is to take many sips. The key is to move the cold water out of the tube and replace it with warmer water in your bladder before it freezes.  

Plan 

Know the route and have a map. With all the information available, there is no reason why you wouldn’t research the route and current conditions. 

Always let someone know where you are going and expecting to finish. Well traveled mountains have sign-in at the bottom. It’s good practice to use them and don’t forget to sign-out. 

If it’s your first time hiking in the winter or want to gain more experience by climbing smaller mountains, do the research. Go online, read books or go with someone who has. A smart climbers learns from someone else’s experiences.

Think

If the weather turns for the worse or getting late, turn back. I’ve been out with other climbers who’ve had a hard time accepting the fact that the top is out of reach for the day. It’s a tough decision to make but must consider the consequences and your safety. The mountain is not going anywhere and will be there for another day.

Following these tips will certainly better your odds at peak-bagging those mountains in the winter months. Good luck, and remember, winter hiking can be one of the most beautiful times of the year to get out. The change of seasons offers a drastic change in scenery offering a fantastic new perspective on the landscape. Something every hiker loves to see. Finally always remember you and your safety are the two most important things. Think about these tips before you step outside this winter and stay safe.

About the Author

Marc has been enjoying winter hiking for over 20 years. He has experienced many different scenarios along the way and has many stories to tell. Marc also encourages others to embrace a healthy lifestyle and connecting people to nature. Through his website www.naturalsurrounding.com, he looks forward to connecting other like-minded people and businesses who share a similar vision.

You can find Marc on FaceBook and Twitter

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Top Reasons To Start A Compost Pile and the Benefits

By NaturalSurrounding.org⎥Posted November 7, 2013

Getting Started: Tips and Facts To Starting and Maintaining a Compost Pile:

  Many of us think of composting as a way to control household waste. While that is true, composting is a staple of organic gardening and provides many environmental benefits. While most people start composting in order to provide an inexpensive source of organic matter for their gardens, the benefits of composting extend beyond the garden.

  Compost forms when soil microorganisms and bigger critters such as earthworms consume organic materials and, in the process, break them down into a form that plants and gardens can absorb as nutrients. Compost heaps put natural processes to work in generating a high-quality soil mixture and can help you cut back on the amount of fertilizer you need to provide your plants and gardens.

  Here at Natural Surrounding, our compost post pile is ready for harvesting. We opened the compost bin to reveal the nutrient rich soil that has accumulated at the bottom of the heap since last autumn. After sifting the compost, we were able to gather a sufficient amount of soil to cover a garden that measures 8’ by 4’ with about 3-5 inches of compost.  The material that hasn’t broken down yet will be put back into the compost bin and the process will start all over again.

  Benefits Of Composting:

Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.

Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.

Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.

    Starting a Compost Pile:

  Step 1:

Pick a dry, shady location for your compost bin. If you have a home garden, put the bin near it to reduce the distance you will have to transport the finished compost.

  Step 2:

Place brown composting materials, such as dead leaves, twigs and branches, into your composting bin. Chop up larger pieces, such as branches, into smaller bits with a shovel or machete so they will decompose quickly.

  Step 3:

Add green composting materials, such as vegetable scraps, lawn waste and other wet items, to your compost bin. Mix the materials with a pitchfork.

        Maintaining The Compost Pile:

 Step 1:

Add water as necessary to make the mixture slightly damp, then mix once more. Continue this process, slowly building the depth of your compost as you have more waste to add. Do this until you have at least 10 inches of compost in the bottom of your bin.

  Step 2:

Bury vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds or other wet items with a strong odor under 10 inches of compost.     The Environmental Protection Agency recommends this depth to prevent odors. Moisten the compost with water as necessary to ensure that the mixture is slightly damp.

  Step 3:

Mix the compost every two weeks with a pitchfork. This process should add additional air pockets to the mix, reducing odor and accelerating decomposition.

  Warning:

Do not add fats, oils, dairy products or pet waste to your compost bin. Items such as aluminum foil, plastic and glass also are not appropriate for compost bins. Avoid treated wood, painted wood or lawn trimmings treated with pesticides that could contaminate the compost.

    If composting is a process that’s new to you, this is a great place to start. And if you’re an old pro, it’s a great link to share in support of our mission to take composting mainstream! Please, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or want to share your ideas with us.

  Subscribe to Natural Surrounding on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about your Natural Surroundings!

  Happy composting!

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Mosquitos and ticks suck! Use Insect Protection Clothing!

By NaturalSurrounding.org⎥Posted October, 2013

Because we love the outdoors we want to be protected against the ticks that carry lyme disease and mosquitos that can carry many different types of viruses like the West Nile, EEE and Dengue virus.

Over the last couple of weeks we have been testing products to see what best method would work. We tried natural products made from clove oil and lemon oil. I had a great opportunity one night when I was riding my bicycle in the woods and broke down next to a swamp. I doused myself with this product that was made from natural ingredients. By the time I got home, I had more bites than a thirteen year old has pimples! This was not what I needed. I also tried out products made with DEET. If you have ever worn DEET when sweating, you know it burns if it gets into your eyes. I can’t imagine what it does to skin over time! Once, I had a bottle of insect spray stuffed inside my bag. The can sprayed in the bag and ate a hole in my $350.00 hiking bag!

Now, I carry Insect Protective Clothing…..light in weight, no harsh chemicals, safe to wear and you know it works! 

So, if you don’t have the protective clothing yet, get one here and pack it with you! When the time is right you will be glad you did. Having had Dengue virus first hand, I know, this is a small price for protection.