Staying Warm On The Wilderness Trail

Staying Warm on the Wilderness Trail. October is slipping past repeatedly in my Pennsylvania hometown, nestled within the smoky hills around the Delaware River. That means the leaves are turning and, occasionally, a hint of snow is within the morning air. Sometimes, when I'm walking the many trails that surround my little patch of heaven, I look up in surprise to look a plane zoom past. Whenever I'm deep within the woods I always get the feeling I've traveled return through time to a day when flying was merely a dream regarding the future.

It's easy to pretend, because, despite being surrounded by all the conveniences of our technological world, Pennsylvanians cling to rural past as many as likely within the woods and trails set aside by the farsighted protectors who share the sentiment. And my most liked location is the Wilderness Trail within the Delaware State Forest known as Dingman's Ferry. The trail is well maintained year-round by unseen hands, thanks to faithfully dedicated Ridge Runners. And it's a delight to linger below the magnificent boughs of Slippery Elm and Eastern Clean Pine year-round. Mostly in summer, when I am provided to long days of hiking as I pick my method carefully past brand new blow-downs and hold an eye out for carelessly strung, too low-hanging bear bags.

It's all right though. In summer it's easy to forgive the newbies. But as fall approaches, there exists fewer and fewer companions along the trail. Unlike me, they probably prefer the comfort regarding the fire at the AYCEs that dot the landscape between blazes and leave the rugged component to die-hards. But I like to skills development the growing isolation the colder weather brings until the trails are all but closed off by clean drifts piling skyward in winter.

In my younger days I seemed impervious to nip and bite regarding the North wind as it came return with autumnal gusto to reclaim the fall lines pointing the method home. But lately I locate my endurance has slipped a bit by late afternoon, when the chill sets in more noticeably, while the friendly sun dips toward the ridgeline. And I locate it was seriously cutting in to my hiking time. Prior to I had real skills development navigating my method through the dead falls and balds that make up my familiar landmarks I have return to look Dingman's as my building distant from building I took little notice of protection from the elements. A bivy, a tiny pack, rugged boots and a warm jacket just in case seemed all I needed.

But now I look that I should be more concerned about my personal well-being as I wander distant and distant afield. And staying warm is near the top regarding the list. I even used to disdain the gear-heads who seemed to carry everything they MIGHT need for a simple walk through a friendly wood. A proud Hicker in those days, I was resolved that a h2o bottle and some jerky was all I really needed. But if I reflect upon my earlier foolishness, I am reminded that many a hike was slice brief due to the fact that my feet started to obtain too cold.

A good warm pair of socks, of course, goes an extended method to make sure that staying toasty. Even an extra pair seems like a good system these days. And the more active you can be the better. But sweating inside the boot and the inevitable trod through springs, streams, rivers and lake shore can get your feet wet, despite the layers. On detailed hikes, or colder days, this leads to discomfort that can prematurely end a spectacular trek.

So I've gone in for an applied science that our hiking ancestors had not even the slightest inkling of: foot warmers. Those of us who suffer from the occasional backache are by now aware of disposable heating pads that shall be applied to decreased return like a bandage. When they are activated they give multiple hours of heat that helps to soothe and relax sore muscles. Now that system was adapted to socks. A nifty product I've discovered is called Toasti Toes.

And, since creating use of them, my hiking experiences are many more enjoyable and detailed now that I've decided little new technology can help an old hobby. They are definitely barely ingenious. By activating a thin charcoal insert enclosed within the pad, a constant heat of about 96 degrees is maintained for about six hours or so. An adhesive strip holds them closely to sock inside my boot and I barely notice the difference in layering. But what a difference there is in comfort and safety.

It's a well known truism that keeping the extremities warm is crucial to staving off hypothermia. Mostly, the old adages instruct us to hold our heads covered. But possessing Toasti Toes shall be just as comfortable and prudent. It's surprising how turning the old story on its head, as it were, produces similar result. Of course, I'm not usually in that many danger.

It's not ever higher than a little miles, or a couple of hours, to nearest trail head. But it's nice to have knowledge of I have an edge, just in case I lose my way. So, now that I've solved my keeping warm problem, I can hike little distant and wait on the trail little longer. Thanks to my Toasti Toes. Now that is what I call progress.