Exploring the Mountains in Deep Winter White

 

Exploring the Mountains in Deep Winter White

 

Winter is gradually making her grand appearance with sinking temperatures and driving snow. After the wintry mix has been plowed and the wind abates, there are significant advantages to outdoor exploration in the mountains this time of year. The detail, clarity, and focus across multiple mountain ranges are most spectacular in the deep of winter. Closer views are just as thrilling because the bare trees reveal details on the landscape that are easy to miss when blocked by rich foliage.

Promises of breathtaking views and clean mountain air lure adventurers out to snowy trails for cold-weather recreation. Many folks in the High Country take to the hills for two of their favorite wintertime traditions, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

Introduced by Native Americans, snowshoes make it safer and easier to trek on snowy fields by distributing a person’s weight over a larger area so feet don’t sink into the snow. Trails buried in winter white become easily accessible exploration routes with snowshoes acting as a kind of flotation device above the deep layered powder. Look for a pair with secure bindings and aggressive traction that will work in deep and steep conditions.

You may also enjoy slipping on a pair of cross-country skis, grabbing poles, and easily propelling yourself through a snowy wood this winter. Cross-country skis help decrease the difficulty of transporting your pack and tent deep into the winter forest. You can also get a great aerobic workout by simply cruising ski trails, or you can intensify your exercise by pushing your pace or cross-country skiing up a hill.

Hiking poles are a wise addition to any winter trek. Poles offer balance and support and may also double as a camera tripod. Some brands offer poles that double as tripods. Removable handles reveal hardware to screw in your camera for capturing the breathtaking winter landscape. The air quality in winter provides favorable conditions for clear vista views that aren’t clearly captured through the haze of other seasons.

Back in town, a sure fire way to stay head over feet is by stretching YakTrax over a pair of casual walking shoes or hiking boots. Why spend the winter anxiously negotiating unsure footing in the ice and snow? This easy-to-use and lightweight traction device utilizes coils to grip the slippery surfaces and provide traction. The sturdy YakTrax outer band conforms to most any pair of shoes, making them winter-ready and secure, and they slip off in an instant when you return indoors.

There’s no need to feel trapped inside with a serious case of “cabin fever” this winter. The sky is a stunning shade of blue on clear days and the smallest forest sounds are magnified by the hush of fresh fallen snow. Stop by any local outfitter like the Mast General Store for more tips on enjoying this beautiful season.