Gear up and slow down

 Got a call at the shop last week from a guy asking to reserve snowshoes for an upcoming hike. I could tell he was new to winter, and steeped in the new fixation with carrying and wearing only exactly what you need for the trip.

"I have spikes," he said. "I just don't know if I want to have snowshoes."

That's silly. No one wants to have snowshoes. Snowshoes are a necessary evil of winter travel. No matter how convenient someone makes a binding system or how light someone tries to make the snowshoes, they're still a nuisance whether you are wearing them or carrying them. But you will bless them when you need them, and you may die if you don't have them. At the very least you will end up paying for your rescue if you tried to go without them and were lucky enough to have cell phone signal when you figured out that you were hopelessly mired.

I have noticed a lot more news items about hikers in trouble since 2020 sent a whole lot of people out to find healthy outdoor fun. Lots of people discovered the simple joy of hiking. Equipment suppliers were happy to provide beautifully advertised and sometimes functional gear to meet the untrained tastes of the novices.

Hiking and climbing have always had their share of minimalists, many of whom manage to survive long enough to be perceived as wise rather than merely lucky. The internet has given lucky survivors and overnight experts much greater reach.

The mountains are ancient. Nature is unforgiving. Humans may mutilate the natural environment, but natural forces will always be strong enough to snuff out your individual life if you do not respect their potential. Warmer than the historical average is still colder than your body temperature. Rain instead of snow can be more deadly. A trail report can't possibly cover every yard (or meter) that you will traverse.

Winter rules: gear up and slow down. Adjust your ambition to conditions. Train for the weight. You deserve no sympathy if you are not willing to prepare. This means not just your load of gear but your attitude. Winter is much harder than summer. The rewards can be greater in a slightly better chance to find solitude, and the beauty of the winter landscape.