Although I have not been an avid hiker for a few years, the itch to get back into has been overwhelming all winter long. Hours on the trail and all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells that are all around me as I march through nature, have awakened this urge to get back out there.
The negative to being a spring hiker in Wisconsin are the very up and down, topsy turvy weather conditions seen here, and this year has been no exception. In the past two weeks, it has been between 35 degrees and 80 degrees for high temperatures, we have seen 2 inches of hail, have had rain by the bucketloads, and had an inch of snow last night. Yup, getting back on the trail is going to be tougher than I thought.
I made an attempt last weekend, and found that most of the ground was mud. Of course, my hiking shoes had seen better days, and announced their need for additional waterproofing within minutes of my hike. As I slogged back to the parking lot, the mental checklist began to flow. New shoes, new boots, a smaller first aid kit, will the pumpkin seeds I brought satisfy a strong hunger on the trail. I need a better way to bring water with me; I have been eyeing up a Cabela's backpack that contains a water bladder with a tube that pulls forward for sipping convenience.
This past weekend was a wash (literally) and this upcoming weekend does not look very promising, either. I stole some time out of my schedule to make a trip to Cabela's...maybe this week I will hit REI and Gander Mountain.
With my moving date fast approaching, it is not looking good for a nice long hike anytime soon. The positive to this is that I will have more time to identify what new equipment is needed, to get it purchased, and to repair, reseal, and restock the items I am retaining for the summer.
The negative to being a spring hiker in Wisconsin are the very up and down, topsy turvy weather conditions seen here, and this year has been no exception. In the past two weeks, it has been between 35 degrees and 80 degrees for high temperatures, we have seen 2 inches of hail, have had rain by the bucketloads, and had an inch of snow last night. Yup, getting back on the trail is going to be tougher than I thought.
I made an attempt last weekend, and found that most of the ground was mud. Of course, my hiking shoes had seen better days, and announced their need for additional waterproofing within minutes of my hike. As I slogged back to the parking lot, the mental checklist began to flow. New shoes, new boots, a smaller first aid kit, will the pumpkin seeds I brought satisfy a strong hunger on the trail. I need a better way to bring water with me; I have been eyeing up a Cabela's backpack that contains a water bladder with a tube that pulls forward for sipping convenience.
This past weekend was a wash (literally) and this upcoming weekend does not look very promising, either. I stole some time out of my schedule to make a trip to Cabela's...maybe this week I will hit REI and Gander Mountain.
With my moving date fast approaching, it is not looking good for a nice long hike anytime soon. The positive to this is that I will have more time to identify what new equipment is needed, to get it purchased, and to repair, reseal, and restock the items I am retaining for the summer.