Winter arrived early this year!  The snow has been coming down all month and we might even be on track to break some snow records for the month of November.  According to Braatencast last night:

And those totals are from yesterday – we still have until tomorrow to accumulate more snow.  We can’t wait to see what the monthly total ends up being!  (See historical Mount Mansfield snow totals here.)

12/1/18 Edited to add: We did break the record for snowiest November in Vermont!

This early onset of winter raises the question: Are you ready for hiking in the cold and snow?

Although a very beautiful time of year to hike, winter brings with it some challenges and risks that you just don’t have to deal with in other seasons.  It’s time to bone up on the skills needed to get outside safely while still having fun.

Not to worry, GMC has you covered:

• Read our Winter Hiking Preparedness Parts I and II blogs for information on gear to carry and conditions to watch out for.  Traction is especially important this time of year.
• If you want to learn about winter hiking with others, check out our upcoming winter workshops like Intro to Cold Weather Trekking and our Full Moon Snowshoe Walks.
• Already feel like you’re ready to winter hike but looking for folks to go with?  Check out all the GMC outings run by our fourteen regional Sections around Vermont and beyond.  You can join even if you’re not a GMC member.  You can read a trip report from a winter Section outing here, but please note that most of our winter outings are not that extreme!
• If you’re ready to head out on your own, check out some GMC staff favorite winter hikes.  Then plan your own trips with GMC guidebooks and maps.  Or stay in GMC’s rental cabins in Bolton Valley and the Northeast Kingdom for great access to trails.
• Thinking about a winter thru-hike of the Long Trail?  It’s not recommended.  See how one attempt went on our blog.
• Or are you more of a skier?  Check out some overlapping adventures on the Long Trail and Catamount Trail.
• And don’t forget to continue Leaving No Trace while outdoors this winter.

Have fun out there!

Do you have any other tips to add?