Springtime is finally here in Canton, NY, but the Adirondack High Peaks still have winter conditions.
The Adirondack High Peaks are 46 mountains that reach at least 4,000 feet tall. These mountains were first surveyed in 1875. However, over time, and with better technology, it has been revealed that not all of these 46 peaks are at least 4,000 feet tall. Giant Mountain is one of those High Peaks, standing at 4,627 feet tall.
This past weekend I decided to go on a spring hike up Giant. The trail up to Giant and back is about six miles long and 3,000 feet in elevation gain.
Hiking in the winter and spring means taking time to think about the gear you will need and the condition of the trail. On Saturday, April 2, the temperature on Giant was about 20 degrees Fahrenheit – definitely not shorts and t-shirt weather. So, to be prepared for hiking in the cold and varying weather make sure you layer up.
This means a base layer that will wick moisture away, a warmth layer (like fleece), a puffy jacket, and an outer shield (like a rain jacket) that will trap warmth in. Other important items of clothing to bring are gloves, wool socks, a wool hat, and a neck gaiter. You want to make sure that not too much of your skin is exposed to limit the possibility of frostbite.
Starting the hike wasn’t too difficult since it is at low elevation. But as you move farther up the trail, you begin to see ice covering rocks and streams and snow covering the grass. I stayed warm on the hike because of my layering system, and if I began to sweat I could easily take a layer off. It is important that you do not sweat through your clothes, since they will not be able to insulate you all that well if they are wet.
In order to hike on difficult and icy terrain, I bought a couple of different tools. If you are planning on hiking in the winter or spring, you should expect to bring a lot of safety gear, and for your backpack to be a bit heavier. I brought microspikes, crampons, snowshoes, and an ice axe.
Microspikes are a chain of small spikes that attach to your hiking boots and provide durable traction on slick sections of the trail. Crampons are a step up from microspikes. They are a metal plate fixed to the bottom of your boot with even bigger spikes than the microspikes. Snowshoes allow for easy travel over loose snow. The ice axe is a multipurpose tool that you use as a traction device.
All of this gear combined makes winter and spring hiking safer when used properly. So, if you are heading out for a high peak hike anytime soon, bring these items and familiarize yourself with them. All of this winter gear is available at the Outing Program’s Gear Room. The Ridge Trail to Giant mountain has a lot of bare rock, and in the winter this means it is covered with ice, making for some sketchy spots. I was glad to have brought all of my gear which made for a safe ascent and descent.
If you are going hiking in the winter, make sure you give yourself enough time to go up and down the mountain. The entire hike of Giant took me four hours. It was easy going on the way up, but coming down was a lot slower.
You need to kick your steps into the snow or ice to keep yourself from just wiping out and sliding down the trail. To prepare for a longer than expected hike, I recommend bringing a headlamp and extra batteries in case you need to navigate in the dark.
Overall, the hike was breathtaking. I saw the sun rise over the High Peaks and was the first to break the trail that day. Hiking in the winter or spring can be treacherous, but bringing the right gear and being prepared will help you overcome those tough trails. So, get out there and enjoy springtime in the high peaks.