As an engineering student I was always taught that failure is much more instructive than success and I think the same is true in the outdoors. When a hiker gets lost that’s really a navigation failure and it’s a great time to reflect on outdoor knowledge and awareness. I wrote about my experience being lost and how it taught me about my own stubborness but also confirmed some things I learned as a Boy Scout like following a stream to safety.

Anyway, this week a teenager in New Hampshire got lost while hiking alone on Mt. Washington. The teen did a lot of things right (he is, after all, an Eagle Scout) but he also made some critical mistakes we can all learn from.

1. Never hike alone. This is probably the biggest lesson this teen learned but I’m still not sure he gets it (after his rescue he said “I would never hike alone again in snow conditions“). I suggest not hiking alone in any conditions because you never know what might happen (weather, injuries, etc.).
2. Head down to safety. After a couple days on the mountain the teenager decided to hike up the mountain to get help but the rescuers were looking for him at lower elevations. Following water downstream is a good strategy as is getting out of cold/windy conditions at higher elevations.
3. Don’t take shortcuts. This is where I got into trouble during my own “lost experience” and it’s a pretty easy trap to fall into. Stay on the trail because it makes it easier for rescuers to find you plus the conditions on the trail are generally better than off trail.

In the end we’re glad the teen made it back safely - hopefully his story can teach us a few lessons about staying safe on the trail.

The Nashua Telegraph posted a great article about winter camping in snowy New Hampshire and I gotta say I learned alot about what it takes to camp in the snow. Aside from the fact that all your gear is much bulkier than in summer (thicker jackets and sleeping bags, sturdier tent for snow loads, etc.) there is also the fact that winter camping gear is much heavier than summer equipment. Yet, it’s still possible to go backcountry camping in winter with the help of a little something called a pulk.

If you’ve been downhill skiing you’ve probably seen ski patrol members practicing with pulks used to carry injured skiers off the slopes. The concept for winter backpacking/cross-country ski-camping is the same except the pulk is used to carry your gear instead of a person (gear which, hopefully, should be lighter than an adult!). From what I’ve read it’s best to use a pulk with rigid poles to help you keep your balance, though I imagine poles can also help with traction on tricky ascents. Unfortunately if you’re going somewhere without decent snow covering the ground you’re out of luck - pulks are only meant to glide across snow and ice.

You can purchase a pulk online or get instructions for building your own - a basic pulk can be constructed from a child’s sled and some rope. Many pulk-packers (is that a real term?) choose to carry some gear (like things that can’t get wet or frozen) on their backs while towing a pulk behind.

It’s pretty incredible the things people are willing do to get outside and camp this time of year - kinda makes me feel wimpy for complaining about the “cold” weather down here in Georgia!

The Peabody Mill Environmental Center and the Amherst Recreational Department in New Hampshire are hosting a series of twilight hikes over the next few months. The hikes are designed to give hikers a chance to view both full and new moons during the clear winter nights.

The idea of a winter hike is probably new to most folks but it’s a great way to add a new dimension to familiar trails. Trails look completely different by the light of a flashlight or headlamp and your sense of speed and distance will be completely changed. Limited vision on the trail means your other senses will be heightened, allowing you to hear, smell, and feel things you never noticed before.

Night hikes also reveal things like stars that you just won’t see during a daytime trip. Many forest animals are nocturnal meaning they’re snoozing during the day when most hikers are on the trail. Go out at night and you can catch glimpses of animals like raccoons while avoiding others like snakes that prefer the mid-day sun.

Hiking at night is not without its risks and it’s a good idea to hike trails you’re familiar with to start out. Make sure you have multiple light sources in case one gives out and be aware of potentially dangerous wildlife that may be out at night.

Night hiking can be a fun way to experience a familiar trail in an entirely different light - give it a try and see what you think!