New Hampshire Hikers: Let’s Talk COLD WEATHER PREP!

Fall hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains can turn into winter hiking in a heartbeat!

You can leave the trailhead in sunshine and comfortable temperatures and find yourself dealing with wind, freezing temperatures, ice, snow, or rapidly changing conditions as you gain elevation.

Being prepared can literally be the difference between life and death.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation, planning, and accountability! 

Here’s how we Get Gnarly AND stay safe!

CHECK THE WEATHER & TRAIL CONDITIONS AND NOT JUST ONE SOURCE!

Checking the weather is one of the first things I do when planning a hike, but I never rely on just one forecast.

Here are some of my go-to resources:

Weather Underground: Great for checking local forecasts and nearby weather stations.

Windy: One of my favorites for looking at wind, temperature, precipitation, and how weather systems are moving.

Mount Washington Observatory Higher Summits Forecast: If you’re heading into the higher elevations of the White Mountains, CHECK THIS! This forecast is specifically designed for the higher summits of New Hampshire.

Mountain-Forecast: Another helpful resource because you can look at forecasts at different elevations on specific mountains.

And remember: the forecast at the trailhead is NOT necessarily the forecast where you’re going!

If you're climbing to 4,000, 5,000, or 6,000 feet, pay attention to the forecast at the ELEVATION you’re actually climbing to. Conditions can change dramatically as you gain elevation.

BUT DON’T JUST CHECK THE WEATHER ALSO CHECK THE TRAIL!

Before heading out, I also check New England Trail Conditions: New Hampshire for recent hiker reports.

Did it snow at elevation this week?

Is there ice above 3,000 feet?

Are people using microspikes?

Are water crossings high?

Is the trail a mud pit?

Are hikers reporting deep snow, postholing, or difficult conditions?

Knowing what hikers have actually encountered recently can help you decide whether you need microspikes, waterproof boots, gaiters, trekking poles, extra socks, or different gear altogether.

Just remember that trail reports are a snapshot of what someone experienced at that time. Mountain conditions can change FAST.

Check the forecast + check recent trail conditions + prepare for things to be worse than expected.

PACK THE EXTRA LAYERS!

A little extra weight in your pack is worth reducing your risk of hypothermia.

You should have enough clothing with you to handle conditions becoming colder, wetter, or windier than expected.

Think about packing:

• Moisture-wicking base layers

• An insulating layer

• Waterproof/windproof outer shell

• Hat and gloves

• Extra socks

• Emergency insulation

• Extra food

• Plenty of water

• Emergency gear

The Appalachian Mountain Club recommends being prepared for severe conditions regardless of the season and carrying the 10 Essentials when heading into the backcountry.

LAYER SMART!

Your body generates heat when you move.

Think of movement as another layer!

If you start hiking uphill wearing every piece of clothing you brought, you may quickly start sweating.

Then you stop moving.

Now you're wet AND cold.

Gnarly in a bad way!

Adjust your clothing before you start sweating heavily. Take a layer off as you warm up and put it back on when you stop, slow down, or become exposed to wind.

Staying dry is a huge part of staying warm.

BRING A PAPER MAP!

I love using technology on the trail, downloaded maps, GPS watches, and phones are all incredibly useful tools. But batteries can drain faster in cold temperatures, electronics can fail, and cell service in the White Mountains can be non-existent. Always have a backup plan.

Carry a paper map and compass, and know how to use them.

Snow can also cover trails, cairns, and landmarks that may be completely obvious during the summer.

Your phone should be a tool, not your entire navigation plan.

WATCH THE CLOCK!

Fall means shorter days, and temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.

Before you start, know:

Your mileage.Your expected pace. Your elevation gain.Your daylight hours.Your turnaround time.

And PACK A HEADLAMP!

Even if you are absolutely, positively, DEFINITELY going to be back before dark.

Plans change.

TELL SOMEONE YOUR PLAN!

Before heading out, tell someone you trust:

Where you’re going. What route you’re taking. Who you’re hiking with. When you’re leaving. When you expect to return. When they should become concerned if they haven't heard from you.

Hiking solo? This becomes even more important.

A dashboard note can be an additional backup, but it shouldn't replace directly giving your plan to someone who will notice if you don't return.

KNOW WHEN TO TURN AROUND!

This may be one of the most important hiking skills you can develop.

The summit isn’t going anywhere.

If conditions deteriorate, someone in your group isn't doing well, you're moving slower than expected, you don't have the proper equipment, or you're running out of daylight...

MAKE THE SMART CALL.

Turning around isn’t failing.

Sometimes turning around is exactly what experienced and responsible hikers do.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ADVENTURE

Being prepared to self-rescue when possible and taking accountability for your decisions is part of being a responsible hiker. Your decisions don’t just affect you.

They affect your hiking partners, other hikers, and potentially the Search and Rescue teams who may have to enter dangerous conditions to help you.

New Hampshire's hikeSafe program is an awesome resource for learning about hiker responsibility, preparedness, what to pack, leaving your plan, knowing when to turn back, and preparing for emergencies.

New Hampshire also offers a voluntary Hike Safe Card, which helps support Search and Rescue efforts throughout the state. Make sure you understand what the card does and doesn't cover.

BOOKMARK THESE BEFORE YOUR NEXT NH HIKE!

Mount Washington Observatory: Higher Summits Forecast Mountain-specific forecasts for the higher elevations of New Hampshire.

New England Trail Conditions: New Hampshire Recent hiker-submitted reports about snow, ice, mud, water crossings, traction, and trail conditions.

Appalachian Mountain Club: Weather & Trail Conditions Mountain weather, preparation, gear, and White Mountain information.

hikeSafe New Hampshire: Know Before You Go Hiking safety, packing recommendations, and the Hiker Responsibility Code.

Weather Underground: Local weather forecasts and nearby weather-station information.

Windy: Great visual tool for looking at wind, precipitation, temperatures, and incoming weather systems.

Mountain-Forecast: Mountain forecasts with information at different elevations.

GET GNARLY. GET PREPARED. GET HOME SAFE.

Adventure should challenge us. That's part of why we love it. But preparation doesn’t make an adventure less badass. It gives us the knowledge and tools to make better decisions when things don’t go according to plan.

Check the weather. Check the trail conditions. Pack the extra layer. Bring the headlamp. Know your route. Tell someone where you're going. And don't let your ego make decisions for you.

Let’s have epic adventures, make smart decisions, and do our part to keep ourselves, our hiking partners, and our Search and Rescue crews safe.

Get Gnarly. Get Prepared. Get Home Safe.