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By Henri de la Vega
Spring has arrived!
With the warming weather, hikers are ready to come out of hibernation and get back on the trails. Spring is a great season to get outdoors - wildflowers are blooming, migratory songbirds are returning from their winter breeding grounds, and you can still catch some “secret views” before the trees leaf out. However, spring offers its own set of challenges to the hiker. Rain, thunderstorms and even snow are all likely to be seen in the forecast and trails can be muddy or even submerged in water.
All that said, with a little preparation you can enjoy a great time outdoors no matter what conditions mother nature throws at you.
Here are 5 tips to help you get the most out of your spring adventures.
1. Prepare to get wet
It will come from above, it will come from below.
Spring might be one of the trickiest times of year for moisture management. Un-forecasted rainstorms are always a possibility and the trails will be muddy. Be sure to carry a waterproof rain jacket and pants or a poncho. Finding yourself soaking wet at this time of year can pose a real risk. A waterproof shell will help you stay dry and warm when the surprise afternoon storm rolls though.
Make sure you are wearing shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. It’s up to you whether you wear waterproof or quick drying footwear, there are pros and cons to both (more on that soon). Do your best to stay on the trail in muddy conditions, walking on the dryer edges is destructive to the environment and leads to trail widening. Plus, it’s fun to walk through mud! If you absolutely must walk around a section of trail, do your best to step on durable surfaces (like rocks) to avoid damaging the land you are out to enjoy!
2. Check your trail conditions and carry traction well into spring.
This picture shows snow at high elevation in mid June. Fortunately we were prepared with traction and ice axes.
Mud is not the only tricky trail condition you can expect to run into. Snow and ice can be found at higher elevations and if you are not prepared, you may need to turn back. Not carrying proper traction is a common mistake made by inexperienced hikers in the shoulder seasons (late fall & early spring). One mistake many hikers make is judging trail conditions by what they see at the trailhead. Both ground and weather conditions can change dramatically with a little elevation. Hiking on snow without snowshoes will result in post holing (where your foot sinks deep into the snow). This can lead to serious mechanical injury for you or the next person to hike the trail. We’ve encountered ice or snow at high elevations well into May in the Catskills. Further north, you can expect similar conditions into early June.
Believe it or not, Facebook can be a great resource for checking or reporting on your local trail conditions. Here in the Hudson Valley, we have a few good trail condition groups: NY Metro Area Trail Conditions & Catskill Trail Conditions are a few that we like.
On top of mud and snow, don’t be surprised to find downed trees and branches (blowdowns) that were blown over or fell under the weight of winters snow. Remember, whether its mud, snow, ice or blowdowns, do your best to stay on trail to reduce impact.
3. Expect wide temperature swings and sudden changes in weather.
Know the forecast and be ready for it to change.
The weather at the bottom and top of the mountain can be very different and afternoon storms can sneak up without warning. A great resource for checking summit weather is www.mountain-forecast.com. This site gives you a good idea of the weather you will encounter at the bottom and top of the mountain you may be looking to climb.
Pack a warm fleece or light puffy jacket regardless of the forecast. It can make a big difference in your enjoyment and safety if you find yourself in wet, windy conditions.
4.Know your limits and know when to turn back.
Set a turn around time, the mountains will be there for next time.
Many hikers lay down their trekking poles for the winter to take up indoor activities. If this sounds like you, or if you are new to hiking, be sure to start small. Tricky trail conditions can slow your pace and realizing you’ve bit off more than you can chew halfway through an ambitious hike can put a real damper on your mood or worse, put you in a dangerous situation.
A great habit to get into is setting a turnaround time. Check what time the sun will set in the area you plan to explore and subtract an hour, as it starts getting dark in the mountains about an hour earlier than in an open area. This is due to shade from overhead trees and neighboring hills.
Find the halfway point in time from when you start your hike. For example: If you are setting off on an 8 mile hike at 10am and know that sunset where you are hiking is at 7pm, find the time between 10am and 6pm which is 2pm. When 2pm strikes, it’s time to look at your map and make a plan. Consider the distance, elevation, trail conditions and daylight to make a smart decision on whether you should continue forward or turn around. Remember the mountain will always be there for next time.
5. Your least favorite hiking partners are back.
Ticks, blackflies, mosquitos… oh my!
Be prepared for mosquitos, blackflies, and ticks. While it may be warm enough to wear short sleeves and pants, you may want to consider covering up. This will protect you from biting flies, and will also provide some sun protection. Carrying a head net is a great way to protect your face from insects. They may be a little warm to hike in but are worth their weight in gold when hiking through an area with lots of gnats (who for some reason love flying strait into your eyes)! You can also carry bug spray or consider treating your clothing with a durable bug repellant like permethrin.
Caution: Always read the instructions when using bug repellants. Many have special precautions that should be taken, and treatments like permethrin can be toxic to household pets if not fully dry.
Bonus tip
This one is true in any season!
Always carry the 10 essentials plus a cat hole kit and never go hiking without leaving your plan with someone who cares about you! Have fun out there!