N e w s

The week of January 12th begins with a cloudy Sunday with highs in the low 30's. Monday will have sun followed by clouds and a breeze in the afternoon with highs in the low 30's. Tuesday will be cloudy and windy with highs in the low 20's. Snow from Tuesday into Wednesday will bring from 1 to 3 inches. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy and breezy with highs in the low 20's. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with snow in the adternoon and highs in the low 20's. Friday will be rather cloudy with highs in the low 30's. On Saturday there will be low clouds with highs in the mid 30's. Some trails may have snow suitable for snowshoes. The cold weather all this week will mean that any ice that has formed will remain. Snow was measured in feet on some high peaks but the amount was reduced by some warmer weather before the last cold snap. Spikes, snowshoes, and maybe even crampons are a must this time of year. Research your hike to determine what traction devices may be necessary. Remember you can't wear them if you aren't carrying them. Daylight will continue to slowly increase heading toward the spring equinox. Although the days will be getting longer, they are still short and the sun sets early. Packing a working headlamp is always a good idea as it may mean the difference between finishing a hike easily and wandering around in the forest. NEVER assume that conditions at the trailhead are the conditions on the mountain. When the weather conditions are constantly changing, be sure you have dressed appropriately in clothing that will wick away moisture to prevent it from accumulating in your clothing, which can, at the very least, be uncomfortable. Layering should be with non-cotton materials as cotton tends to hold moisture. Keeping hydrated is essential no matter the temperatures since hydrating properly will allow you to hike longer and in greater comfort. Be sure to carry plenty of water with you as local water sources can be unreliable and may be contaminated. Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Remember, the weather forecast is only a prediction and always contains percentages. Be prepared and have a plan for the most likely and least likely forecast! Are you prepared to stay out overnight on a trail? Conditions in the morning can change drastically by the afternoon. Conditions at the trailhead do not always reflect the conditions on the peaks! Variable trail and weather conditions are a hallmark of these mountains. BE CAREFUL AND BE PREPARED!

Sheila: September 24, 2011 - July 12, 2024

Sheila was with us for more than 12 years. She was a great friend and a fantastic hiking companion. She went with me on all but a handful of hikes in many diverse places. Her first hike was at Frick Pond in December 27, 2011. Her last hike was July 1, 2024 on the Parksville Rail Trail. After that hike, her health began to deteriorate rapidly. When she could no longer breathe properly we called on the staff of the Jeffersonville Animal Hospital to put an end to her suffering. We cannot express are gratitude for the caring and companionate treatment we received. The end was quick and quiet. Cindy and I stayed with Shiela until it was over. She never seemed in distress. We are heartbroken but knew that what we did was right for our good friend.

Winter Hiking Gear

Recently there has been a lot of discussion on social media about snowshoes and other winter traction devices. The choice of this kind of equipment is highly personal and depends upon diverse criteria including hiking terrain and hiker budget. Few people will ever agree completely on the "best" equipment and even on what equipment to bring on a hike. Steve Olesen was kind enough to work up two chart that deal with this subject. One chart lists some popular brands of snowshoes while the other has other traction devices from spikes to full crampons. Many thanks to Steve. Check out his list below:

Snowshoes
Other Devices

Sunday: December 1st: Cemetery Loops
Thursday: December 5th: Cemetery Loops Redoux
Thursday: December 12th: More Cemetery Loops
Saturday: December 14th: Parksville Rail Trail
Thursday: December 26th: Round Top Figure 8
Monday: December 30th: Round Top Loop
Monday: January 6th: Round Top Figure 8+