Green Mountain Club Winter Trails Day

Yesterday marked my first foray into winter hiking. Similar to my introduction into backpacking itself, I felt more comfortable getting some guidance beforehand. The Green Mountain Club annually hosts a Winter Trails Day, now in its 21st year. It provided a perfect opportunity to get some education. That’s how I wound up waking up at 5 AM yesterday to make a three hour drive with my friend Amanda.

The event was held at Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater, VT. It started with a Winter Hiking Preparedness Workshop where a GMC staff member instructed us on the basics. She covered topics such as how to properly layer, major differences between winter and warm weather hiking, medical concerns such as hypothermia and frost bite, and the various types of winter hiking footwear.

Amanda and I felt that despite our inexperience we could handle taking an “intermediate” level hike. The group guided hike up the Canty Trail timed well for when we would be wrapped up with the workshop, so we signed up. We were in a group of six total and drove over to the trailhead. The first mile was level, but included three stream crossings. The weather was about 14 degrees, so the first two streams at their narrowest points were passable. The third, however, was just too wide. With a width of about 10 feet of moving water, there was just no getting around.

Fortunately, we had an experienced guide. A GMC volunteer leading the way had a smart plan B. He suggested we drive over to one of the other “intermediate” trails that we would pass on our way back to the Brewery – Deerleap Trail. It would be about 1.5 miles and top out at an overlook positioned right above the Inn at the Long Trail.

We drove over and happened to get there that the same time another GMC Winter Trails Day group was starting. A few in their group were wearing snowshoes, and getting a view of their slipping and struggling made me happy to have my microspikes instead. They held up well and I was completely confident in my footing (which is rare for me even in the dry summertime).

We drove back over to the Brewery where the GMC was offering up free beer, chili and ice cream. It was a perfect way to refuel after a 5 mile day in some pretty cold weather. Even with the wind and biting temperatures, it was great to spend some time in the sun.

So the takeaways from the day? It’s always a good idea to talk with others about their experiences. Get insight and hear things that they’ve learned through their journeys. Use them as a shortcut from the longer, sometimes painful “trial by error” route. The day included a lot of tips that seem obvious, but that are helpful and safe to keep at the forefront of your mind for a hike. For example, a benefit of winter hiking may be the solitude but that also means that people won’t be passing by to help if you need it. Keep an eye out for “the umbles,” which are warning signs of hypothermia – stumbling, grumbling and mumbling. Keep your base layer dry. Keep your core warm. Keep eating! Things that are so simple but that can snowball into something bigger (pardon the pun).