Weather or Not ...

As I noted yesterday, weather can add a thrill _ or a chill _ to a hike.

It's obviously one of the top considerations when planning any sort of outdoor activity. If you're going on a hike, you need to be prepared: check the forecast again and again, have proper rain gear, always carry an extra layer in case it's not quite as warm as you thought at the top of that mountain.

And, of course, if things look dicey, don't go. Postpone the hike to another day and have fun doing something else. I always build flexibility into the schedule on my hiking trips for that very reason. ("It's raining cats and dogs today, so let's tour the museum today instead of tomorrow," etc ...)

Today we're passing along a nice blurb from Explore magazine about predicting the weather while you're on a hike or a camping trip. Farmers have known most of these tips for centuries. Really, all of us should know them.

We'll be sure to see a full variety of weather next year in our hiking trips to Switzerland, Vermont, Vegas and Virginia. Take a look and sign up while slots are still available.

See you on the trails,
Joseph